London protesters oppose United Kingdom airstrikes on IS in Syria

If he insists on collective opposition there will be an almighty row within the Parliamentary Labour Party that could scupper the government’s plans.

Andrew Marr asked Corbyn whether his heart was set against bombing Syria, and Corbyn replied “there is nothing wrong with my heart except for wanting a peaceful world”.

In his interview, Mr Corbyn dismissed intelligence advice that IS was using its territory in Syria to prepare terror atrocities against Britain, arguing “those attacks could be planned anywhere”.

A spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has always been very clear that this is about trying to give parliamentarians as much information as possible about our strategy and then allowing them to reflect on that information”.

Fallon said opinion “was beginning to shift” over the action.

Bombing IS targets in Syria would be a “distraction from the political process” to end the civil war, and would lead to civilian casualties, he insisted. “I think that would be wrong in this particular instance because I think people have very strong views one way or another”. We will have a further discussion on this. However, that is a decision for Jeremy to make.

A survey ordered by Mr Corbyn received 107,875 responses, of which 64,771 were confirmed as full individual Labour Party members.

“We will be relying on groups in the Free Syrian Army apparently, who are hundreds of miles away, whose main interest is fighting [Syrian leader Bashar al-] Assad anyway”. “I will make up my mind in due course”.

“My concern is about the security of the United Kingdom, what is in the best interests of the people that live here, what is in the best interests of making sure that we secure a lasting peace in Syria and I’m not convinced at the moment air strikes will contribute to that”.

She discussed the Syria question last night with the anti-war UK Labour leader, whose party is deeply divided over extending the bombing campaign against ISIS, also known as ISIL and Daesh.

Mr Cameron spelled out his rationale for more attacks in a speech and report to parliament on Thursday, telling lawmakers that bombing is needed alongside political attempts to form a new government in Syria.

Asked whether there would be a vote in parliament this week, Fallon said: “We’d like to have a vote for military action but we’ve got to keep building the case”.

He said: “If there is a vote held this week I would vote against”. “I am hoping he’s taking my view into account the same as other party members”.

Mr Corbyn will now open the debate for Labour while Mr Benn will do the wind-up – although they will speak on opposite sides of the argument. He added: “It is unlikely that we will be able to agree a yes or no answer”.

However it is thought the government plans to bring a vote to MPs as early as this week.

Leader Jeremy Corbyn says he will oppose airstrikes, but many Labour legislators back them.

Veteran Sheffield MP Clive Betts is one of a number of Labour MPs, including shadow chancellor John McDonnell, calling for a free vote on the issue.

But with the SNP and several of his own backbenchers opposed, the prime minister will need the support of many Labour MPs if he is to win any vote.

Shadow defence secretary Maria Eagle even suggested on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Monday that Corbyn could back the airstrikes.

“Frankly, I think the threat of mass resignations has been exaggerated but we will have to see”.