David Cameron: Britain already in ‘top tier’ of IS targets

In his 20-minute-long statement laying out the government’s proposals for extending British airstrikes into Syria, Mr Cameron said that Britain could not afford to “stand aside” from the fight against Islamic State (IS) group, also known as Isil, Isis and Daesh.

Why us?, Why Now?

The Prime Minister said he wanted to answer a number of questions about his desire for Britain to begin bombing Syria.

He told MPs: “the reason for acting is the very direct threat that Isil poses to country and to our way of life,” adding that “every day we fail to act is a day where Isil can grow stronger, and more plots can be undertaken.”

He added, that given the security service assessment was that Britain was already in the top tier of Isis targets, “the only way to deal with that reality is to address the threat we face, and to do so now”.

Unintended consequences

In response, the Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn warned of “unintended consequences” if Britain began bombing in Syria.

Mr Corbyn said: “In the light of the record of western intervention in recent years, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya, do you accept that UK bombing of Syria could risk more of what president Obama called unintended consequences?

“A lasting defeat of Isil can only be secured by Syrians and their forces within the region.”

Change of heart

However, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, which earlier this month released a report urging caution over Syria, revealed that he was now ready to back military action.

Crispin Blunt told the House: “It is now my personal view that, on balance, the country would be best served by this House supporting his judgments that the UK should play a full role in the coalition, to best support and shape the politics, thus enabling the earliest military and eventual ideological defeat of Isil.”