30 Nov 2015

Labour MPs to have free vote on Syria air strikes

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is to allow his MPs to vote with their consciences on air strikes against Islamic State in Syria.

Mr Corbyn has decided not to impose a three-line whip on Labour MPs, opposing the government’s plans to join the US-led bombing campaign in Syria.

The decision means it is much more likely David Cameron will win a Commons majority for military action when the vote is held. A date has not been set yet, but Mr Cameron has said he will not call for a vote until he is sure he will win.

Mr Corbyn, who is opposed to air strikes, will insist that opposition to military action remains official Labour policy, but he will not stop his MPs from voting as they please.

The prospect of extending air strikes from Iraq to Syria has split the Labour party. The shadow cabinet met today following a poll of party members, which suggested a majority was opposed.

Two-day debate

Mr Corbyn has written a letter to the prime minister saying a vote should only be held after MPs have had two days to debate air strikes, a proposal described as “eminently sensible” by senior Conservative backbencher David Davis.

A No. 10 spokesman said discussions were under way within government on the wording of a draft motion, covering not only military action but also work on counter-extremism, the diplomatic and political process and the ongoing humanitarian effort. But he said there was so far no timetable for it to be put before MPs.

Labour’s internal survey, ordered by Mr Corbyn, received 107,875 responses. An initial analysis of 1,900 responses showed 75 per cent opposed to bombing.

Rebellion

Mr Corbyn faced a rebellion by senior party figures, including members of the shadow cabinet, if he did not allow a free vote.

The RAF has been bombing Islamic State in Iraq since September 2014. Pressure for Britain to hit IS in Syria has intensified since the Paris bombings.

Former Respect Party MP George Galloway said: “I am sorry to say Jeremy Corbyn has made a fateful tactical, strategical and moral error of grave magnitude.

“It will, alas, mean that the bombs falling on Syria will be Labour-Tory bombs. Cameron’s war made possible via a free vote of Labour MPs.”