Labour grants MPs free vote on Syria air strikes

“Jeremy Corbyn gives Labour MPs free vote”, read a headline on The Guardian website, as the opposition leader met top party officials to outline his stance.

Cameron was expected to hold the vote on Syria sometime this week, although that vote will be pushed back as Corbyn seeks clarification over the justification for military involvement in the country.

Cameron has said he will seek a vote when he is confident the measure has enough support to pass.

Under the free vote, Labour MPs will be allowed to vote for or against the government’s proposals without being forced to resign or fear of being sacked by Corbyn, who opposes the government’s proposed air strikes.

Ahead of Monday’s meeting, the Labour Party said it had received tens of thousands of responses to a call by Corbyn last week for members to say which way they think the party should vote.

“In addition the debate would be much better informed by views from the Foreign Affairs and Defence Select Committees following your recent statements”.

The party’s press office declined to comment on a Gurdian report that Corbyn had agreed the deal during talks with deputy leader Tom Watson and other senior colleagues over the weekend.

Labour consultation has attracted nearly 110,000 replies.

However, he will not order Labour’s 231 MPs to follow the party line, allowing them to vote according to their consciences on the issue.

Russian Federation has been carrying out air strikes in Syria since late September, while a US-led coalition of …

This letter was apparently a hit with Labour’s members.

Corbyn said he is still committed to a “comprehensive peace in the Middle East based on a two-state solution, global law and a secure Israel alongside a secure and viable state of Palestine”, which he said is in line with the Labor Party’s policy. It found 58% of Labour party members oppose further intervention in the region, while the majority of Labour voters and the general pubic are in favour of air strikes.