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Syria bombing: Where UK parties stand Syria bombing: Where UK parties stand
(about 1 hour later)
David Cameron has urged MPs to back him over military intervention in Syria against so-called Islamic State extremists.David Cameron has urged MPs to back him over military intervention in Syria against so-called Islamic State extremists.
The prime minister set out what he called a "comprehensive case" before taking questions from 103 MPs over two hours and 40 minutes in the Commons.The prime minister set out what he called a "comprehensive case" before taking questions from 103 MPs over two hours and 40 minutes in the Commons.
He set out his response to the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, which had warned the government against pressing ahead with air strikes.He set out his response to the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, which had warned the government against pressing ahead with air strikes.
MPs rejected air strikes against Syrian government targets in 2013. This time around, the PM said there would not be a Commons vote unless there was a clear majority for action, saying a government defeat would "hand a publicity coup" to IS.MPs rejected air strikes against Syrian government targets in 2013. This time around, the PM said there would not be a Commons vote unless there was a clear majority for action, saying a government defeat would "hand a publicity coup" to IS.
Following the Paris attacks earlier this month, some MPs' minds are said to have changed their minds so where do the parties stand? Following the Paris attacks earlier this month, some MPs' minds are said to have changed - so where do the parties stand?
The Conservative PartyThe Conservative Party
The majority of Conservative MPs would vote to back extending UK air strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria.The majority of Conservative MPs would vote to back extending UK air strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria.
Thirty Conservative MPs rebelled against David Cameron in August 2013, when the Commons rejected his first attempt to launch bombing raids on Syria - albeit against the Assad regime rather than IS.Thirty Conservative MPs rebelled against David Cameron in August 2013, when the Commons rejected his first attempt to launch bombing raids on Syria - albeit against the Assad regime rather than IS.
A number of MPs who defied their party then - including Charles Walker and Andrew Bridgen - now say they will support the government, Mr Walker suggesting there was "no room for delay" in taking the fight to the extremists.A number of MPs who defied their party then - including Charles Walker and Andrew Bridgen - now say they will support the government, Mr Walker suggesting there was "no room for delay" in taking the fight to the extremists.
One of the 2013 rebels told the BBC they predicted about 15 Conservatives would still oppose any kind of intervention, arguing that bombing could be open-ended and will not help achieve a political solution to the civil war in Syria.One of the 2013 rebels told the BBC they predicted about 15 Conservatives would still oppose any kind of intervention, arguing that bombing could be open-ended and will not help achieve a political solution to the civil war in Syria.
Tory MP Julian Lewis - who chairs the Commons Defence Select Committee - told the BBC IS could not be defeated militarily unless Western powers worked with the Syrian regime.Tory MP Julian Lewis - who chairs the Commons Defence Select Committee - told the BBC IS could not be defeated militarily unless Western powers worked with the Syrian regime.
Total number of Conservative MPs: 331Total number of Conservative MPs: 331
The Labour PartyThe Labour Party
Labour is split on Syria. Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, until recently chairman of the Stop the War Coalition, has indicated his opposition to air strikes, arguing for greater efforts to find a "peaceful solution". Labour is split on Syria. Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, until recently chairman of the Stop the War Coalition, has written to all of his MPs saying he does not back Mr Cameron's case for air strikes.
Responding to Mr Cameron, he sought assurances the UK would not be dragged into a ground war and asked the PM whether UK air strikes would make any military difference. With at least half of his shadow cabinet believed to be in favour of intervention, this generated an angry reaction from some on his front bench, with one member warning of resignations if Mr Corbyn tried to impose his view on the party when it comes to the vote.
But a number of his MPs, including members of his shadow cabinet, have said they would back air strikes if they had proper military and legal justification, including the approval of the United Nations. The letter was sent after Mr Corbyn responded to Mr Cameron in the Commons, seeking assurances the UK would not be dragged into a ground war and asking the PM whether UK air strikes would make any military difference.
They say the onus is on the government to come forward with a "comprehensive" strategy to stabilise Syria and to tackle extremism, demonstrating why it is in the UK's national interest to intervene. The Labour leader is under pressure to offer a free vote on the issue - where his MPs won't be instructed to vote in a certain way.
Mr Corbyn is under pressure to offer a free vote on the issue - where they won't be instructed to vote in a certain way. The shadow Cabinet held its first of two meetings after Mr Cameron's statement and is trying to agree a collective front-bench position. Around half are said to be in favour of action. The shadow Cabinet held its first of two meetings after Mr Cameron's statement and is trying to agree a collective front-bench position. At least half are said to be in favour of action.
Members have been told to consult their constituencies over the weekend, but if a free vote is not offered Mr Corbyn could face a sizeable rebellion if MPs are ordered to oppose air strikes. Members have been told to consult their constituencies over the weekend, but if a free vote is not offered and Mr Corbyn orders his MPs to oppose air strikes, he could face a sizeable rebellion.
Total number of Labour MPs: 231Total number of Labour MPs: 231
The Scottish National PartyThe Scottish National Party
The SNP opposed military action in 2013 but has vastly increased its Westminster presence since the general election and can exert real influence.The SNP opposed military action in 2013 but has vastly increased its Westminster presence since the general election and can exert real influence.
The party says it will not support air strikes in Syria unless the prime minister is able to address "key questions" that "remain unanswered".The party says it will not support air strikes in Syria unless the prime minister is able to address "key questions" that "remain unanswered".
Angus Robertson, the SNP's Westminster leader, said there was no effective ground support in place to take and hold territory.Angus Robertson, the SNP's Westminster leader, said there was no effective ground support in place to take and hold territory.
And he said there was no fully-costed reconstruction plan in place for Syria.And he said there was no fully-costed reconstruction plan in place for Syria.
He added: "The prime minister has asked us to consider his plan. We have listened closely. However, key questions posed by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee remain unanswered.He added: "The prime minister has asked us to consider his plan. We have listened closely. However, key questions posed by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee remain unanswered.
"And unless the prime minister answers these questions satisfactorily, the Scottish National Party will not vote for airstrikes in Syria.""And unless the prime minister answers these questions satisfactorily, the Scottish National Party will not vote for airstrikes in Syria."
Total number of SNP MPs: 54Total number of SNP MPs: 54
The Liberal DemocratsThe Liberal Democrats
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has welcomed the UN resolution but indicated the government must do a lot more before counting on his party's support.Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has welcomed the UN resolution but indicated the government must do a lot more before counting on his party's support.
In the Common, he said the PM would have to provide "much more evidence" that moderate forces on the ground had the required "capability and the credibility".In the Common, he said the PM would have to provide "much more evidence" that moderate forces on the ground had the required "capability and the credibility".
He later told BBC News Mrs Cameron had made "a strong case" for air strikes but that he still had a number of questions.He later told BBC News Mrs Cameron had made "a strong case" for air strikes but that he still had a number of questions.
Total number of Lib Dem MPs: 8Total number of Lib Dem MPs: 8
The Democratic Unionist PartyThe Democratic Unionist Party
The Democratic Unionist Party, along with the SDLP and the UUP, helped to sink David Cameron's last attempt to launch air strikes in Syria, with five of its MPs voting against the move and three absent.The Democratic Unionist Party, along with the SDLP and the UUP, helped to sink David Cameron's last attempt to launch air strikes in Syria, with five of its MPs voting against the move and three absent.
But DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds has suggested his party could take a different view this time around, saying he and his colleagues will "do the right thing for our nation's security, whatever that might entail".But DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds has suggested his party could take a different view this time around, saying he and his colleagues will "do the right thing for our nation's security, whatever that might entail".
In the Commons, he again said the DUP would "put national security first" but did not specify which way his party would vote.In the Commons, he again said the DUP would "put national security first" but did not specify which way his party would vote.
"Parliament must reflect soberly and well on the responsibility lying on it over the next few days," he added."Parliament must reflect soberly and well on the responsibility lying on it over the next few days," he added.
Total number of DUP MPs: 8Total number of DUP MPs: 8
Plaid CymruPlaid Cymru
Voted against military action last time and would be expected to do so again. Party leader Natalie Wood her party would "listen very carefully" to Mr Cameron's case for air strikes. During the Commons debate, the party's Westminster leader Hywel Williams said all other options should be considered before MPs are asked to vote on military action,Voted against military action last time and would be expected to do so again. Party leader Natalie Wood her party would "listen very carefully" to Mr Cameron's case for air strikes. During the Commons debate, the party's Westminster leader Hywel Williams said all other options should be considered before MPs are asked to vote on military action,
Total number of Plaid Cymru MPs: 3Total number of Plaid Cymru MPs: 3
UK Independence PartyUK Independence Party
UKIP's MP Douglas Carswell voted with the government in 2013, when he was a Conservative MP, despite expressing reservations about its lack of a "coherent strategy" in Syria. But UKIP has been consistent in its opposition to further military action.UKIP's MP Douglas Carswell voted with the government in 2013, when he was a Conservative MP, despite expressing reservations about its lack of a "coherent strategy" in Syria. But UKIP has been consistent in its opposition to further military action.
Green PartyGreen Party
The Green Party's only MP Caroline Lucas has confirmed she will vote against military action in Syria on the evidence presented so far, describing the case presented by Mr Cameron as "neither comprehensive nor compelling".The Green Party's only MP Caroline Lucas has confirmed she will vote against military action in Syria on the evidence presented so far, describing the case presented by Mr Cameron as "neither comprehensive nor compelling".
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP)Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP)
The party's MPs voted against military intervention in 2013 and have again expressed reservations.The party's MPs voted against military intervention in 2013 and have again expressed reservations.
Total number of SDLP MPs: 3Total number of SDLP MPs: 3
Ulster UnionistsUlster Unionists
The party's two MPs have met Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss his plan for air strikes and have said any action should be "thought out" and "targeted" with a clear exit strategy.The party's two MPs have met Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss his plan for air strikes and have said any action should be "thought out" and "targeted" with a clear exit strategy.