Labour MPs are to be granted a free vote on air strikes against Islamic State (IS) in Syria, the party has confirmed.
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“The thought that some Labour MPs might be prepared to play intra-party politics over an issue such as this will sicken all decent people”.
In his interview, Mr Corbyn dismissed intelligence advice that IS was using its territory in Syria to prepare terror atrocities against Britain, arguing that “those attacks could be planned anywhere”. I will make up my mind in due course, ‘ he said. “I’m enjoying every moment of it”, he asserted.
Len McCluskey, general secretary of the powerful Unite union, criticised some Labour MPs for exploiting the row over bombing Syria in a “sickening” effort to get rid of the leader.
But some of its members were defying his authority, claiming that Labour’s standing orders say they, not the leader, have the say on votes.
David Cameron has given his strongest indication yet that he will call a vote on British airstrikes in Syria despite Jeremy’s Corbyn’s opposition to action.
Over 70,000 people are said to have responded to the email consultation, issued last week, which asked members and supporters whether they agreed with strikes on Syria and whether they had any comments.
The motion will note the United Nations resolution calls on member states to take “all necessary measures” to prevent terrorist acts by IS and to “eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Iraq and Syria”.
He rejected claims a bombing campaign could cause a large number of civilian deaths as the militants retreat into tunnels or uses the local population as “human shields”.
“I’ve said to Jeremy, if you end up like Michael Foot and Gordon Brown and (Ed) Miliband, as a liability to the party, if you are far less popular than the party when you are coming up to an election, then you have got to go, and I believe Jeremy understands that”.
Corbyn refused to accept that it had been a “terrible” week for the Labour party, despite the split over Syria, remarks from Ken Livingstone that Tony Blair was to blame for the 7/7 London bombings, and John McDonnell quoting Mao Zedong from the dispatch box.
Mr Robertson said: “Two years ago the Prime Minister urged us to bomb the opponents of Daesh in Syria”. He added: “It is unlikely that we will be able to agree a yes or no answer”.
“The problem about a free vote is that it hands victory to Cameron over these airstrikes, it hands victory to him on a plate”.
He said: “If there is a vote held this week I would vote against”.
Watson, the deputy leader, has been trying to broker a deal with Corbyn to allow a free vote, as it is possible that key shadow cabinet ministers would have to resign if the leader insists they vote against airstrikes. “They are there to vote with Labour and follow the Labour conference policy”, Mr Willsman told BBC Radio 4’s World at One, ahead of the shadow cabinet meeting.
If he allows a free vote, perhaps half his shadow cabinet and around 60 Labour MPs may vote for air strikes. I think that is a very separate matter.
“I hope that when the choice comes people will indicate that this is the right thing for Britain to do.
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You can not have a shadow cabinet voting down the leader of the Labour Party who has just been elected with the biggest mandate in history”.
