The leader again refused to commit to offering a free vote to his MPs as he delivered an impassioned critique of David Cameron’s case for attacking Islamic State in its heartlands.
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“In the view of the opposition 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”.
Mr Corbyn used an appearance on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show to insist the decision on how to approach a vote would rest with him.
Mr Corbyn – a vice-president of the Stop the War pressure group – made clear he would not support any bombing.
The minister said it was risky not to try to defeat IS with force.
A meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, a large proportion of which is believed to be considering backing military action, will follow the shadow cabinet gathering. “I think that would be wrong in this particular instance because I think people have very strong views one way or another”. We have had long discussions about this at the weekend.
Cameron plans to make a statement Monday evening, with a vote expected in Parliament as early as Wednesday.
He has also written to activists asking for their views on military action in Syria – sparking accusations that he is trying to use his grassroots powerbase to “bounce” the shadow cabinet into submission.
As well as complicating Cameron’s calculations on whether he can win the vote, the situation has unleashed a round of very public feuding between pro and anti-Corbyn MPs about whether he is the right man to lead the main opposition party.
But Graham Jones, the party’s MP for Hyndburn in Lancashire, dismissed the poll, saying it “can’t be a basis for decision making”.
The Prime Minister said all MPs would have to make their minds up “when the choice comes”.
Asked if there was any chance divisions in the party could force his resignation, Mr Corbyn said: “I’m not going anywhere. I’m enjoying every moment of it”, he asserted.
It will note that the resolution backs 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”. This move will be widely seen as an attempt to remind the shadow cabinet that they are not the party’s governing body.
United Kingdom defense minister Michael Fallon also answered questions regarding the government’s strategy.
“I think we will arrive at a common position and people will hold together”, he told Sky News. But rather than a free vote or a whipped vote, Corbyn may opt for something in between.
Pressed on whether he personally was ready to resign, Lord Falconer said: “I don’t want to comment on that”. “Whatever party it is, look at the arguments, listen to the arguments that have been put forward before thinking about voting on this issue because there is a compelling case that taking military action alongside our allies can help to address the threat”.
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Abbott, the global shadow development secretary and Corbyn ally, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he should face down his internal critics.
