BRITAIN moved closer to joining the war in Syria yesterday as the Prime Minister told MPs it was in the country’s “national interest” to launch air strikes against Daesh.
In a dramatic day in the Commons, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wrote to his MPs to say he could not vote for the action.
The SNP gave the strongest indication yet that it would oppose military action, warning David Cameron there were still too many questions about the effect and the long-term impact of any action.
The Prime Minister said the reason for acting was the “direct” threat to “our way of life” in the UK. “Isil has attacked Ankara, Beirut and, of course, Paris, as well as likely blowing up a Russian plane with 224 people on board,” he said. “It has already taken the lives of British hostages, and inspired the worst terrorist attack against British people since 7/7, on the beaches of Tunisia – and, crucially, it has repeatedly tried to attack us right here in Britain.
“In the last 12 months, our police and security services have disrupted no fewer than seven terrorist plots to attack the UK, every one of which was either linked to Isil or inspired by its propaganda, so I am in no doubt that it is in our national interest for action to be taken to stop it – and stopping it means taking action in Syria, because Raqqa is its headquarters.”
Responding, the SNP’s Westminster leader Angus Robertson said his party would likely vote against military action.
The Moray MP said: “Two years ago, the Prime Minister urged us to bomb Daesh’s opponents in Syria, which would probably have strengthened this terrorist organisation. Today, he wants us to launch a bombing campaign without effective ground support or a fully costed reconstruction and stability plan. He has asked us to consider his plan, and we have listened closely, but key questions posed by the Foreign Affairs Committee remain unanswered, and unless he answers them satisfactorily, the SNP will not vote for air strikes in Syria.”
Three weeks ago the committee published a damning report saying the attacks would have minimal impact and could risk damaging the UK’s diplomatic capabilities. Cameron’s 36-page response to that report was published yesterday.
If there was a significant moment in the debate it was when the influential Tory chairman of the committee, Crispin Blunt, indicated he would now support British involvement in the international coalition in the region. Blunt’s committee colleague, the SNP’s Stephen Gethins, disagreed, accusing the Prime Minister of not answering “our questions adequately on issues like ground troops or long-term strategy”.
Britain would, Cameron said, at the request of the US, France and others, bring a particular type of weaponry, the Brimstone precision missile, to the arena. “We believe we have some of the most accurate weapons known to man. I think extending our activities into Syria is likely to reduce civilian casualties rather than increase them,” he said.
He was quizzed by SNP defence spokesman Brendan O’Hara who pointed out it was wrong to claim the use of the Brimstone was unique to Britain, as the Royal Saudi Arabian air force had been using it since February.
During the debate Corbyn asked the Prime Minister to “rule out the deployment of British ground forces to Syria”. He also asked what impact acting might have on the threat of terrorist attacks in Britain. Cameron insisted there would not be British “boots on the ground”, saying such a move by any Western country would be counter-productive. He also said British intelligence indicated “at least 70,000 moderate Sunni forces” in the region who would be able to help.
The shadow cabinet will discuss the Labour’s official position on Monday. No date has been set for a vote on military action but with Parliament stopping for recess on December 17 it will likely be in the next two weeks.
No vote without ‘clear majority’
DAVID Cameron insisted yesterday said there would be no vote unless there is a “clear majority” in favour.
Although the Prime Minister has a majority of 16, he lost the last vote on air strikes in Syria by 30.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will vote no although some in his shadow cabinet are in favour of action.
The SNP has said it will listen to the Government but believes the case for war has not yet been made.
The DUP has indicated its eight MPs will back action, while the Liberal Democrats have said there are five tests that need to be passed.
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