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David Cameron says Syria action would be in the UK's national interest David Cameron says Syria action would be in the UK's national interest
(about 1 hour later)
David Cameron says air strikes against Islamic State militants Syria would be in the UK's "national interest". David Cameron says air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria would be in the UK's "national interest".
The prime minister denied claims it would make the UK a bigger target for terror attacks, as he made the case for military action in the Commons. The prime minister denied claims it would make the UK a bigger target for terror attacks, as he made the case for military action, in the Commons.
He told MPs the UK was already a target for IS - and the only way to deal with that was to "take action" now.He told MPs the UK was already a target for IS - and the only way to deal with that was to "take action" now.
The UK could not "outsource our security to allies" and it had to stand by France, he added.The UK could not "outsource our security to allies" and it had to stand by France, he added.
A Commons vote is expected within weeks on whether to authorise air strikes. A Commons vote on authorising air strikes is expected within weeks.
The prime minister is urging MPs to back military action as he sets out a "comprehensive strategy" to tackle IS. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn sought assurances the UK would not be dragged into a ground war and asked whether UK air strikes would make any military difference.
He published his response to a recent Foreign Affairs committee report on air strikes ahead of the speech, saying: "The threats to our interests and to our people are such that we cannot afford to stand aside and not to act." He said there was "no doubt" the "so-called Islamic State group has imposed a reign of terror on millions in Iraq, Syria and Libya" and that it "poses a threat to our own people".
Mr Cameron is expected to tell MPs: "Decisions to use force are not to be taken lightly. 'Morally unacceptable'
"It is right that Parliament, on behalf of the people, asks difficult questions and holds the government to account." But he added: "The question must now be whether extending the UK bombing from Iraq to Syria is likely to reduce, or increase, that threat and whether it will counter, or spread, the terror campaign Isis is waging in the Middle East."
The Foreign Affairs Committee report set out a number of tests it said should be met before air strikes were considered. Mr Cameron told MPs the UK could not afford to "stand aside" from the fight and it was "morally" unacceptable to "outsource our security" to allies such as France and America.
The committee said there should be no military intervention without a "coherent international strategy" on tackling IS and ending Syria's civil war. He said "we face a fundamental threat to our security" and could not wait for a political solution, and that doing nothing "could make the UK more of a target for Isil attacks".
Mr Cameron, whose statement comes just under a fortnight since the terror attacks in Paris which killed 130 people, will need to convince enough MPs from other parties to back his case in order to offset any Conservative rebels. He ruled out British "boots on the ground" - and insisted the RAF had specialist bombing capabilities that were needed by its allies.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is under pressure to offer his MPs a free vote. He also addressed concerns about the downing of a Russian jet, insisting procedures were in place to reduce the risk of a similar incident.
Mr Corbyn has indicated his opposition to intervention, but some of his MPs are likely to back the move. 'Comprehensive strategy'
The Labour leader is hoping his shadow cabinet can reach a "collective view" before the day of the vote. He insisted there was strong legal justification for extending the current military action in Iraq, on grounds of self-defence and the recent UN Security Council resolution.
MPs rejected strikes against Syrian government forces in a 2013 vote, but have since authorised action against IS in Iraq. He stressed that IS could not be defeated by air strikes alone, but they were was a key part of a wider "comprehensive" strategy to deal with the threat.
The government argues it is "illogical" to restrict action to Iraq as IS does not recognise the border between the countries. Summing up his argument for air strikes, he asked MPs: "If not now, when?"
It has said it will call a vote on targeting the group, which it refers to as Isil, only when it is sure to win. He added that there would not be a vote in the Commons unless there was a majority for action "because we will not hand a publicity coup to Isil".
AnalysisAnalysis
By Iain Watson, political correspondent, BBC NewsBy Iain Watson, political correspondent, BBC News
The prime minister will take the unusual step of responding to a report from a group of backbench MPs not by sending a polite letter, but by making a statement in the Commons. The prime minister has taken the unusual step of responding to a report from a group of backbench MPs not by sending a polite letter, but by making a statement in the Commons.
Technically, he'll be addressing concerns raised by the cross-party Foreign Affairs Committee that air strikes in Syria would be a "distraction" in the absence of a wider strategy. Technically, he is addressing concerns raised by the cross-party Foreign Affairs Committee that air strikes in Syria would be a "distraction" in the absence of a wider strategy.
But he will use this occasion to try to convince opposition MPs in particular that a more robust military response to IS is required. But he is using the occasion to try to convince opposition MPs in particular that a more robust military response to IS is required.
He will argue that IS must be tackled in the territory it controls.
To help win over waverers, he'll say that any military action would be part of a wider seven-point plan, including more counter-terrorism measures in the UK, and further moves to deliver a more representative government in Syria.To help win over waverers, he'll say that any military action would be part of a wider seven-point plan, including more counter-terrorism measures in the UK, and further moves to deliver a more representative government in Syria.
It's clear that he would like to see air strikes before the end of the year, but will only call a Commons vote if he is confident of victory.It's clear that he would like to see air strikes before the end of the year, but will only call a Commons vote if he is confident of victory.
The reaction to his statement could determine whether that vote is ever held.The reaction to his statement could determine whether that vote is ever held.
In his response to the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr Cameron will call for IS to be denied a "safe haven" in Syria. The prime minister's case is set out in detail in his earlier response to a recent Foreign Affairs Committee report setting out the tests for military intervention.
He will say it is wrong for the UK to "expect the aircrews of other nations to carry the burdens and the risks of striking Isil in Syria to stop terrorism here in Britain". In it, he calls for IS to be denied a "safe haven" in Syria and says it is wrong for the UK to "expect the aircrews of other nations to carry the burdens and the risks of striking Isil in Syria to stop terrorism here in Britain".
The government's strategy will include providing humanitarian support to Syrians, planning for the "reconstruction" of the war-torn country and working with international partners to tackle IS. The government's strategy will include:
During Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Mr Cameron said he was "not for one minute" arguing that air strikes alone would deal with IS. Mr Cameron, whose statement comes just under a fortnight since the attacks in Paris that killed 130 people, will need to convince enough MPs from other parties to back his case in order to offset any Conservative rebels.
A political settlement was clearly needed in Syria, he said, but added that the UK should not wait for a settlement before acting. Mr Corbyn is under pressure to offer his MPs a free vote but is hoping his shadow cabinet can come to a "collective view" on the issue.
He said the Free Syrian Army and Kurdish troops could work with the UK to "help eliminate" IS. MPs rejected strikes against Syrian government forces in a 2013 vote, but have since authorised action against IS in Iraq.
Mr Corbyn, until recently chairman of the Stop the War coalition, has called for "lessons learned in Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere" to be applied to the conflicts in Syria and Iraq.
The SNP, which has 54 Westminster MPs, has said it will not back military intervention without a specific authorisation from the United Nations.The SNP, which has 54 Westminster MPs, has said it will not back military intervention without a specific authorisation from the United Nations.
The Democratic Unionist Party, which has eight MPs, has suggested it could be open to backing air strikes - in 2013 five of its MPs voted against the government.The Democratic Unionist Party, which has eight MPs, has suggested it could be open to backing air strikes - in 2013 five of its MPs voted against the government.