Cameron sets out the case for Syrian airstrikes

David Cameron has appealed for MPs to back British airstrikes in Syria as he set out his case for action against Islamic State (IS) arguing the terrorist organisation posed a threat to the UK.

In the wake of the Paris terror attacks, the Prime Minister asked “if not now, when?” as he argued that it was “morally” unacceptable to leave the US, France and other allies to carry the burden without British support.

Mr Cameron argued there was strong legal justification for extending the current military action in Iraq into Syria, on grounds of self-defence and the recent UN Security Council resolution.

In a statement to the Commons, Mr Cameron admitted that IS - could not be defeated by airstrikes alone. But he argued it was a key part of a wider “comprehensive” strategy to deal with the threat.

The Prime Minister did not specify a timetable for a Commons vote on airstrikes but said the issue would not be put to MPs until he could command a “clear majority”, arguing that a Commons defeat would be a “publlicity coup” for IS.

In the Commons, the SNP and the Lib Dems indicated they would not support extending military action.

With some Conservative MPs expressing reservations about the action, Mr Cameron’s whips will have to calculate how many Labour MPs are prepared to support the Prime Minister.

When questioned by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Cameron ruled out sending in British troops saying: “We are not deploying British combat forces, we’re not going to deploy British combat forces.

“We think actually the presence of western boots on the ground in that way would be counter-productive.

“That is one of the things I think we’ve all collectively, across the House, learnt from previous conflicts and we don’t want to make that mistake again.”

In terms of troops on the ground, Mr Cameron it was his assessment that there are around 70,0000 Syrian opposition fighters who do not belong to extremist groups.

“The reason for acting is the very direct threat that Isil poses to our country and our way of life,” Mr Cameron said.

“They have already taken the lives of British hostages and inspired the worst terrorist attack against British people since 7/7 on the beaches of Tunisia.”

Mr Cameron said seven attacks over the past year had been linked to Isis or inspired by its propaganda.

“I am in no doubt that it is in our national interest to stop them. And stopping them means taking action in Syria, because it is Raqqa that is their headquarters,” he said.

He added: “We shouldn’t be content with outsourcing our security to our allies. If we won’t act now, when our friend and ally France has been struck in this way, then our friends and allies can be forgiven for asking: if not now, when?”

Mr Corbyn warned of “unintended consequences” resulting from British bombing in Syria as he questioned the Prime Minister’s case.

Mr Corbyn raised a series of questions with Mr Cameron, including on the detail of a UN resolution used by the Prime Minister to make his argument for strikes.

The Labour leader said: “In the light of the record of western intervention in recent years, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya, do you accept that UK bombing of Syria could risk more of what president Obama called unintended consequences?

“A lasting defeat of Isil can only be secured by Syrians and their forces within the region.”

Angus Robertson, the SNP’s Westminster leader, said the party will not support a vote for military action unless key questions are “satisfactorily” answered.

Mr Robertson said: “The Prime Minister has talked about 70,000 Free Syrian Army troops. How many of those are in the north east of Syria on the frontline against Daesh as opposed to countering Syrian regime forces?”

He questioned the long-term plan for Syria’s reconstruction, noting the UK spent 13 times more on bombing Libya than on stabilising and rebuilding the country after the conflict.

Mr Robertson said: “Two years ago the Prime Minister urged us to bomb the opponents of Daesh in Syria. That would probably have strengthened this terrorist organisation.

“Today the Prime Minister wants us to launch a bombing campaign without effective ground support in place or a fully-costed reconstruction and stability plan.”