Cameron Steps Up Preparations for Commons Vote on Bombing Syria
- 8 years ago
Prime Minister David Cameron is making preparations for a vote in the U.K. House of Commons on extending British airstrikes against Islamic State to Syria from Iraq.
His office in London is drawing up a motion for a vote as senior ministers appeal directly to lawmakers in the opposition Labour Party to defy their leader, Jeremy Corbyn, who says attacking the Islamist organization in Syria will lead to civilian casualties and fuel extremism.
"I hope when the choice comes, people will indicate that this is the right thing for Britain and we should do it," Cameron told reporters Saturday at the Commonwealth summit in Malta.
"There is a compelling case that taking military action alongside our allies can help to address the threat."
A vote would represent a gamble for Cameron, who lost an effort in 2013 to win backing then for action in Syria to attack the forces of President Bashar al-Assad.
Cameron currently has a narrow majority in parliament.
His office in London is drawing up a motion for a vote as senior ministers appeal directly to lawmakers in the opposition Labour Party to defy their leader, Jeremy Corbyn, who says attacking the Islamist organization in Syria will lead to civilian casualties and fuel extremism.
"I hope when the choice comes, people will indicate that this is the right thing for Britain and we should do it," Cameron told reporters Saturday at the Commonwealth summit in Malta.
"There is a compelling case that taking military action alongside our allies can help to address the threat."
A vote would represent a gamble for Cameron, who lost an effort in 2013 to win backing then for action in Syria to attack the forces of President Bashar al-Assad.
Cameron currently has a narrow majority in parliament.