Cameron opens Syria bombing debate

MPs have overwhelmingly voted by 397 to 223 to authorise United Kingdom air strikes against so-called Islamic State in Syria after an impassioned 10-hour Commons debate.

Opponents argued that Britain’s entry into Syria’s crowded airspace would make little difference, and said Cameron’s military plan was based on wishful thinking that overlooked the messy reality of the Syrian civil war.

But he warned MPs: “Isil have brutally murdered British hostages”.

He said the majority were members of the Free Syrian Army and that there were a further 20,000 Kurdish fighters with whom Britain could also work.

The Prime Minister, who made it clear he was in favour of launching air strikes on the terror group following the Paris attacks on 13 November, said he would not call a vote unless he was sure of a win.

The closest Cameron came to an apology was saying, “I respect people who’ve come to a different view from the government and the one I’ve set out today and those who vote accordingly”.

The Prime Minister’s weekly question time has been cancelled as the Commons decks are cleared for the marathon debate.

Shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn was lauded by MPs from across the House for making a powerful speech warning his party that “we never have and we never should walk by on the other side of the road”.

Around 67 Labour MPs are thought to have voted with the government. While they hold this desire to kill and maim British people on a large scale we can not delay action to degrade their capabilities and reduce the territory they administer. Last week I visited the region as part of my role with the Foreign Affairs Committee, and saw for myself that our allies are more committed than ever to find a diplomatic and political solution in Syria.

Spelling out the choice facing MPs, Mr Cameron said: “We face a fundamental threat to our security”.

RAF jets were poised to start bombing IS in Syria last night after MPs supported David Cameron’s bid to launch air strikes against the terrorist organisation.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said airstrikes would ultimately pave the way for a battle on the ground, which he said is the only way to defeat IS.

Over 60 members of Cameron’s opposition in the Labour Party crossed the aisle to support the prime minister, even as the specter of the Iraq war loomed on Whitehall and anti-war protesters chanted loudly enough outside to be heard in the parliament’s chambers. The Prime Minister’s refusal to apologise to those he branded “terrorist sympathisers” for voting against the motion will not be forgotten anytime soon.

“In any normal country, under normal circumstances, Scotland would not be involved yet Scottish forces – from RAF Lossiemouth- will be deployed to bomb Syria”, Mr Robertson said.

Mr Cameron faced angry opposition benches as the debate got underway following remarks he made on Tuesday.