David Cameron has appealed to MPs to back RAF air strikes against Islamic State in its Syrian heartlands to “keep the British people safe” from the threat of terrorist attack.
Opening a 10-hour Commons debate ahead of a vote tonight, the Prime Minister said the country had no choice but to engage in the struggle with IS – also referred to Isil, Isis or Daesh.
“The question before the house today is how we keep the British people safe from the threat posed by Isil,” he told MPs.
“This is not about whether we want to fight terrorism, it’s about how best we do that.”
But a decision to bomb Islamic State terrorists in Syria will “almost inevitably lead to the deaths of innocents”, Jeremy Corbyn responded.
The leader of the opposition told MPs they faced a “most serious, solemn and morally challenging” decision as they debated expanding UK military involvement in the country.
“It is one with potentially far-reaching consequences for us all here in Britain as well as the people of Syria and the wider Middle East,” he said.
“For all members to take a decision that will put British servicemen and women in harms way and almost inevitably lead to the deaths of innocents is a heavy responsibility.
“It must be treated with the utmost seriousness and respect given to those who make a different judgement about the right course of action to take.”
For the SNP, its Westminster leader Angus Robertson said there is “no shortage” of countries bombing Islamic State in Syria.
Speaking on an amendment signed by more than 100 MPs from six parties – including Tories and Labour – the SNP’s leader in Westminster said his party does “share the concerns of everybody else” about the terrorist threat posed by Daesh.
But he does not believe UK air strikes should be expanded into the country.
He said: “There is agreement across this House that the threat from Daesh is real and doing nothing is not an option.
“However, we recall that only two years ago this Prime Minister, this Government, wanted us to bomb the opponents of Daesh which would no doubt have strengthened them.
“Now of course we haven’t heard it yet but there is no shortage of countries currently bombing in Syria.”
MPs are due to vote at 10pm.
(more soon)