Evening Standard/London
David Cameron’s cabinet yesterday approved plans to launch RAF missile strikes to kill Islamic State leaders hiding in Syria.
With Germany now planning to deploy its air force to the coalition against IS, Cameron cancelled business in the Commons tomorrow — including weekly prime minister’s Questions — to allow a marathon debate of about 11 hours.
Cameron said yesterday his government had unanimously agreed a motion on air strikes against militants in Syria, portraying the ruling party as united on an issue that has split the Labour opposition.
Cameron wants to launch the strikes as soon as possible against Islamic State in Syria, convinced Britain can no longer “sub-contract” its security to other countries after the group said it was behind last month’s Paris attacks.
A commons motion to give final approval to attacks on selected individuals has been drawn up. It is understood to explicitly rule out the use of ground troops, and pledge that only IS would be targeted, and promise that millions of pounds worth of aid and reconstruction funds will be spent helping Syria to recover.
The motion also notes the unanimous United Nations call for action against IS.
However, critics said there was still no indication about when the military action would end.
Senior Tory backbencher David Davis criticised the prime minister’s strategy, saying 70,000 Syrian fighters who the Government is claiming could combat IS on the ground, were “disparate people, not an army”.
He said US air forces were only carrying out seven strikes a day “because they’ve not got the targets — they’ve not got the troops on the ground to find the targets”.
Labour deputy leader Tom Watson wrote to Cameron saying he “does not believe parliament has been given proper time” to discuss air strikes. He added: “As Jeremy Corbyn has made clear, parliament needs more time to make a considered decision.”
Cameron looks set to win a majority of more than 100, with about 50 Labour MPs rebelling against leader Corbyn to support the action. RAF Tornado ground attack planes were expected to start moving at any moment from the UK to Cyprus, armed with precision Brimstone missiles.
Military and diplomatic moves against IS were being dramatically stepped up. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet agreed plans for Germany to join the campaign. It will deploy Tornado reconnaissance jets, refuelling aircraft, a frigate and up to 1,200 military personnel, under proposals to be voted on tomorrow.
Turkish prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu vowed to carry on action to expel IS militants from the area on the Syrian side of its border. He also repeated calls to Russia to open channels of militarycommunication.Saudi Arabia has invited 65 Syrian opposition figures to a conference, possibly next week, in Riyadh to unify their positions ahead of proposed Syrian peace talks, according to reports.
Corbyn’s spokesman said: “The prime minister should stop the rush to war to allow for a full discussion. Matters of national security are far too important to be bulldozed through the Commons for political convenience.
The Labour party yesterday launched its campaign for Britain to remain in the European Union, saying that the Paris terror attacks showed the need to “stand shoulder to shoulder” with European partners.
The Conservative government has promised an in-out referendum by the end of 2017, with recent polls showing the public split neck-and-neck on the issue despite all the main parties campaigning to stay in.
Former interior minister Alan Johnson launched his party’s campaign to stay in the 28-member bloc in Birmingham, central England, arguing that Britain would be less safe on its own.
“The first duty of any government is to keep our country safe and I firmly believe that leaving the EU would fail that test,” he said.
“The lesson from Paris is clear: to tackle terrorism we must stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies in Europe. The security of Britain is inextricably linked to staying in Europe.
Britons will be asked whether they want to “Remain” in the bloc or “Leave” after the electoral commission ruled that a “Yes” or “No” question could favour those who want Britain to stay in the EU.
Labour has been a solid supporter of the EU since the premiership of Tony Blair, but that was thrown into doubt with the election of veteran leftist Jeremy Corbyn as party leader in September.
He had previously opposed the bloc’s free-market rules, but threw his weight behind the “Remain” campaign shortly after being elected.
Johnson also said that British workers, businesses, universities and scientists will all be “damaged and diminished” in the event of a “Brexit”.
“There is nothing patriotic about condemning this country to isolation,” he added.
Prime minister David Cameron has pledged to campaign to stay in, but only if he secures EU reforms on issues such as welfare payments for migrants and the balance of power between Brussels and national parliaments.
The Labour campaign is separate to the cross-party, pro-EU campaign Britain Stronger in Europe.
Hundreds of people were forced to leave their offices today when police evacuated several buildings near London Bridge station in a security alert.
Scotland Yard said they were called to Tooley Street at 12.26pm but no further details have been released.
Officers have confirmed a building near the Hay’s Galleria shopping centre had been emptied as part of a police investigation.
A lone protester outside the Houses of Parliament in London yesterday.
