Tri-Service

Labour MPs To Get Free Vote On Syria Airstrikes

Labour MPs are to be granted a free vote on airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) in Syria, the party has confirmed.

Leader Jeremy Corbyn has made clear his personal opposition to extending RAF bombing missions from Iraq into Syria, but will not require his MPs to follow him into the 'no' lobby if David Cameron calls a vote on strikes against IS, also known as ISIL or ISIS.

Mr Corbyn wrote to the Prime Minister, however, asking for a full two-day debate in the House of Commons before MPs decide.

In a statement following a two-hour meeting of the Shadow Cabinet, a Labour spokesman said:

"Today's Shadow Cabinet agreed to back Jeremy Corbyn's recommendation of a free vote on the Government's proposal to authorise UK bombing in Syria."

"The Shadow Cabinet decided to support the call for David Cameron to step back from the rush to war and hold a full-two day debate in the House of Commons on such a crucial national decision.

"Shadow Cabinet members agreed to call David Cameron to account on the unanswered questions raised by his case for bombing: including how it would accelerate a negotiated settlement of the Syrian civil war; what ground troops would take territory evacuated by ISIS; military co-ordination and strategy; the refugee crisis and the imperative to cut-off of supplies to ISIS."

A Labour source said the Shadow Cabinet was told that 57% of Labour MPs are opposed to air strikes, with 43% in favour, suggesting that almost 100 could join Tories in backing military action, with around 132 following Mr Corbyn in to the No lobby.

This appears to open the door for Mr Cameron to secure the "clear majority" in the Commons which he says is needed before calling a vote.

With as many as 20-30 Conservative MPs thought to be wary of airstrikes in Syria and the Scottish National Party implacably opposed, the Prime Minister needs the support of a similar number of Labour MPs to be confident of avoiding a repeat of his 2013 defeat when he sought approval to bomb the forces of president Bashar Assad.

Downing Street confirmed that work has started on drafting a motion for MPs to debate but insisted that there is so far no timetable for a vote, which Westminster insiders believe could come as early as Wednesday.

In a letter to Mr Cameron, Mr Corbyn said: "On a matter of such critical importance there must be full and adequate time for any debate in the House and only a full two-day debate would ensure time for all members who wish to participate to be able to do so.

"As has happened previously, a one-day debate would inevitably lead to important contributions being curtailed. It is incumbent on us all to ensure the country feels there has been the fullest parliamentary discussion of what you have rightly described as a highly complex situation."

Senior Conservative backbencher David Davis backed Mr Corbyn's "eminently sensible" call for a two-day debate and said it would be "perfectly possible" to make time for it to take place before Christmas. The former Shadow Home Secretary said: