MPs will vote for air strikes against Islamic State (IS) in Syria, despite Westminster’s foreign affairs committee ruling the case for war has not been made.
In a rare move, David Cameron this week made his personal case for military action in a response to a critical report from the powerful committee, setting out what he said was a “comprehensive” approach to the crisis.
But after an afternoon-long exchange of views, the group voted by four to three in favour of a motion ruling the PM “has not adequately addressed concerns” on the eve of the Commons vote on military action.
SNP North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins was one of those who opposed the case for air strikes on IS alongside Conservatives John Baron and Andrew Rosindell and Labour’s Yasmin Qureshi.
Committee chairman Crispin Blunt had already given his personal view that Mr Cameron had gone far enough and said he would support military action.
It followed the committees’ report last month which outlined seven key points requiring answers before the case for bombing could be made.
Mr Gethins said: “The Prime Minister wants us to launch a bombing campaign without effective ground support or a fully costed reconstruction and stability plan.”
Today’s motion covers 12 key points, including the legal basis for military action, reference to the UN resolution calling on states to take “all necessary measures” to prevent IS terror and a commitment to a wider strategy.
It makes clear strikes will only be targeted at IS and rules out British boots on the ground in line with the PM’s statement to the Commons last week.
RAF planes could be bombing within hours if it passes, as is expected following confirmation Labour MPs have a free vote.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn appealed to those in his shadow cabinet in favour of intervention to “think again”.
It is understood around 50 Labour MPs could back military action.
The discussion is expected to last 12 hours after the day’s business, with Commons speaker John Bercow saying he is prepared to “sit all night”.
Meanwhile, David Cameron’s comments last night urging Tory MPs not to side with Jeremy Corbyn and “terrorist sympathisers” by opposing air strikes has sparked fury.
SNP leader at Westminster Angus Robertson demanded an apology.
“Hope PM Cameron regrets these unacceptable comments, retracts them and apologises at the start of the Syria debate,” he wrote on Twitter.
Labour MPs also expressed outrage John Mann posting: “Cameron calls us terrorist sympathisers. I call him a thick ignorant Flashman.”
A YouGov poll out last night found public opinion moving against air strikes with the proportion in favour dropping from 59% to 48%.
The survey for the Times showed those against rising from 20% to 31% with undecideds unchanged on 21%.