Syria: 75% Of Labour Members Against Airstrikes

"Syria: It's Complicated"

*Jeremy Corbyn is urged to "show leadership" and order his MPs to vote against military action as he meets with his shadow cabinet.

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Some three-quarters of Labour members are against the UK bombing Islamic State targets in Syria, the party has claimed.

The results of the survey ordered by party leader Jeremy Corbyn come as he prepares to meet his shadow cabinet to try and agree a collective position on military action.

One of Mr Corbyn's closest allies has urged him to "show leadership" and order Labour MPs to vote against launching a bombing campaign in light of the results.

Diane Abbott said "the party as a whole" is opposed and "looking to Jeremy to show leadership".

"John McDonnell On Labour's Split"

But Graham Jones, the party's MP for Hyndburn in Lancashire, dismissed the poll, saying it "can't be a basis for decision making".

According to Labour, there were 107,875 responses, of which 64,771 were from full individual party members.

An initial analysis of 1,900 responses showed 75% were against military action, 13% in favour and 11% undecided.

"Corbyn In Stand-Off With Snappers"

Mr Corbyn has faced calls from some of his MPs for there to be a free vote - allowing them to decide according to their conscience.

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But in a defiant interview at the weekend he stressed he alone would take the final decision, and Mr Corbyn said MPs must listen to the party membership, who overwhelmingly elected him in September.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell, who has urged a free vote, said he was sure the shadow cabinet would "arrive at a common position and hold together" after the meeting.

"MP's Doubts About Syria Survey"

Mr McDonnell said: "He (Mr Corbyn) hasn't given any indication of the decision on the process but his decision is not to bomb and I think that is the position of it looks like the majority of our party members and quite a few Conservative MPs now."

A meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, a large proportion of which is believed to be considering backing military action, will follow the shadow cabinet gathering.

David Cameron has always maintained that he will only put military action to a vote if he is sure of a victory.

"Who Will Back Corbyn Over Syria?"

A spokesman for the PM said discussions were under way on the wording of a draft motion, but stressed there was not yet a timetable for it to be put before MPs.

He said any motion put to a vote would be based around four key areas: counter-terrorism, the diplomatic and political process, military action against IS and ongoing humanitarian support.

Privy councillors from Labour and other parties are being briefed, but the spokesman declined to say whether these discussions would include further details of the composition of the 70,000 "moderate" Syrian fighters who the PM has suggested are on the ground - something Mr Corbyn has doubts about.

"Labour Syria Turmoil"

Chancellor George Osborne has meanwhile accused opponents of the bombing campaign of "handing over" responsibility for national security.

He said: "This is not about the internal politics of the Labour Party, this is about the internal security of our country.



The RAF is already carrying out airstrikes on IS targets in Iraq. File pic

"We want to take the fight to this terrorist organisation.

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"We have got the capabilities, we've got our allies like the French and the Americans saying 'join us in this endeavour', and we know as a country we have never ever handed our security over to anyone else."