Britain’s opposition Labour Party said on Monday its lawmakers could vote according to their consciences on air strikes against militants in Syria, a move which could hand Prime Minister David Cameron the parliamentary majority he needs.
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“I believe there’s growing support across Parliament for the compelling case there is to answer the call from our allies, to act against ISIL (Islamic State) in Syria and in Iraq”, Cameron had said. “During this period of heightened threat, the U.S. Embassy strongly urges U.S. citizens to exercise extreme caution if moving around the city”, the embassy said in the release.
The statement highlighted “unanswered questions” in the Prime Minister’s case for bombing, such as how an extended campaign would affect efforts to end Syria’s civil war and which troops on the ground Britain would be backing in the anti-IS fight. The Turkish resort town of Antalya is “like a second home” to many Russian holidaymakers, he said.
But Mr Corbyn hit back, accusing the Prime Minister of “bulldozing” a matter of national security through the Commons “for political convenience”.
“Today’s shadow Cabinet agreed to back Jeremy Corbyn’s recommendation of a free vote on the government’s proposal to authorize United Kingdom bombing in Syria”, Labour said in an emailed statement.
Labour MP for Walsall North David Winnick said he was not in favour of airstrikes but agreed MPs should be free to vote as they wish.
Dame Margaret said, yesterday afternoon, that she was waiting to hear what was said at last night’s meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party before making her decision on air strikes.
Corbyn faced a possible rebellion and mass resignations from legislators who back military action if he had used his position as party leader to force members to vote against the strikes.
Mr Corbyn wrote to Mr Cameron asking that the Commons hold a two-day debate on whether or not to join the action, but it appears the Government will refuse this request and the debate will only last one day.
Mr Watson challenged Mr Cameron’s claim that there were 70,000 moderate Syrian fighters who could seize Isis-held territory following air strikes, a figure that was described as “magical” by the Tory chairman of the Defence Committee Julian Lewis.
Corbyn was elected in September thanks to grassroots left-wing support, but is not widely backed by generally more centrist Labour MPs.
Media reports say about 50 Labour members of parliament (MPs) will vote with the government, although their leader, a veteran anti-war campaigner, hoped he could still persuade them to change their minds.
The prospect of extending air strikes from Iraq to Syria has split the Labour party.
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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had called for the PM to offer MPs a full two days of debate on the floor of the Commons before they decide whether to give the go-ahead to the extension of RAF bombing missions against IS from Iraq into Syria. The party said it conducted an emailed poll over whether its members were “for” or “against” the bombing in Syria and it said 75% were against military action.
