MPs to vote on Syria airstrikes

MPs are due to vote on whether the UK will back airstrike in Syria to combat ISIL strongholds by the end of 2 December.

Prime Minister David cameron made his case for airstrikes in the region on 26 November, following the ISIL led attacks across Paris that killed 130 and left over 350 injured.

All other business has been set aside for the day to allow the vote, with a ten hour debate scheduled, which will culminate in a vote on whether the UK should join coalition forces, including French and US allies, bombing ISIL targets in Syria.

Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn is set to oppose the airstrikes, although a free vote has been given to Labour MPs. In an unprecedented move in modern British politics, Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn is set to contradict the Labour leader and support military action.

At least 110 MPs from six different parties, including the SNP, have signed up to an amendment that seeks to block the airstrikes. Separately, the Foreign Affairs Select Committee voted four to three in favour of a motion that Cameron ‘has not adequately addressed concerns’ about military action.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond is set to wind up the debate before a vote at 10pm.