UK Labour Party offered free vote on Syria strikes

LONDON

Britain’s Labour Party will offer lawmakers a free vote on U.K. airstrikes in Syria, increasing the likelihood of military action.

The party has confirmed its 231 MPs will not be given orders on how to vote, despite leader Jeremy Corbyn making clear his personal opposition to further British involvement in the U.S.-led coalition against Daesh.

A meeting of the senior Labour lawmakers on Monday afternoon agreed on a free vote and rejected Corbyn’s plan to declare an official position opposing military strikes.

Prime Minister David Cameron wants the U.K. to launch airstrikes on Daesh targets in Syria as it already does in Iraq but needs parliament’s approval. His Conservative Party has a slim majority of 12 seats in the House of Commons so a minor rebellion among Conservative lawmakers could see the proposal defeated, making the support of opposition lawmakers vital.

In a letter written Monday, Corbyn told Cameron lawmakers needed two full days to debate the issue.

“It is incumbent on us all to ensure the country feels there has been the fullest parliamentary discussion of what you have rightly described as a highly complex situation,” he said.

Cameron, who had not responded to Corbyn’s letter by early Monday evening, was scheduled to make a statement at 8 p.m. local time (2000GMT).

A parliamentary vote is yet to be announced although the BBC reported that a single day of debate had been scheduled for Wednesday.