MPs are debating whether to back UK air strikes against militants from from Islamic State (IS).
A 10-hour House of Commons debate is set to culminate in a vote on whether the UK should join the US, France, Russia and others bombing targets in Raqqa, the group’s stronghold, and other areas.
In total 157 members of parliament, almost a quarter of sitting MPs) have put in requests to speak during the debate.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron believes IS is a threat to Britain’s security.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn opposes bombing but has given MPs a free vote.
The Prime Minister has told MPs: “There is honour in voting for and their is honour in voting against.”
Alex Salmond, MP for Gordon asked the Prime Minister to apologise for earlier comments he made referring to those who vote against action as “terrorist sympathisers.”
David Cameron is now addressing his claim of 70,000 moderate anti-IS fighters in Syria who could combat the extremist group on the ground.
The prime minister explains where the figure has come from: it’s an assessment from the independent Joint Intelligence Committee based on up-to-date intelligence.
Of these 70,000 the majority are from the Free Syrian Army, MPs are told, with about 20,000 Kurdish fighters “with whom we can also work”. He says he’s not arguing that they’re all “ideal partners”.
Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, from the SNP, is the latest to call on David Cameron to withdraw his “terrorist sympathisers” comments.
The Prime Minister responded with: “Everyone is now focused on the main issues in front of us (in this debate).”
Jeremy Corbyn says that the PM is rushing to war and that public opinion is “moving increasingly against” an “ill-thought rush to war”,.
The leader of Her Majesty’s opposition is proposing that Labour does not support the government’s motion on air strikes today (although his MPs have been given a free vote) and he appeals to all MPs to follow suit. His shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn – who supports military action in Syria – looks on from the Labour bench, to Mr Corbyn’s left.
Mr Corbyn says there’s “no doubt” that IS has imposed “a reign of sectarian human terror” in Iraq, Syria and Libya, nor that it poses a threat to the UK. But will UK bombing reduce or increase that threat to Britain, and will it counter or spread the terror, he asks.
He says the PM has been “unable to explain” why air strikes will make a “significant” military impact on the existing coalition campaign against IS in Syria.
He said: “At least 250,000 have already been killed in Syria’s terrible civil war…yet more boming in Syria will kill more civilians.”
Someone in Tory HQ thinks they can gain from this #terroristsympathiser thing. From the lack of apology,you can tell its a deliberate tactic
— Ben Powell (@PenBowell) December 2, 2015
PM: The House should be under no illusion: these terrorists are plotting to kill us, and to radicalise our children, right now.
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) December 2, 2015