#SyriaVote: MPs vote 397 to 223 in favor of launching airstrikes against ISIS in Syria
British MPs have voted 397 to 223 in favor of launching airstrikes against ISIS in Syria – a 174 majority.
03 December 2015
04:13 GMTBritish jets have carried out their “first air strikes” on Syrian territory, Reuters reports, quoting a government source.
“A strike was made on Syria,” and the UK’s Tornado bombers have returned to the base, the source said without elaborating.
- 02:14 GMT
02 December 2015
23:25 GMTBritish service men and women will now be in harm’s way and the loss of innocent lives is sadly almost inevitable pic.twitter.com/z338VAmIai
— Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) December 2, 2015- 23:02 GMT
Live updates are winding down here. You can read our snap coverage of the vote here.
- 22:57 GMT
There are reports that RAF bombers could attack ISIL in Syria as soon as Thursday, according to defense sources.
Defence sources saying RAF bombers currently targeting Iraq expected to start targeting Isis in Syria tomorrow
— George Parker (@GeorgeWParker) December 2, 2015Earlier Captain Richard Davies, a Tornado pilot and station commander said:
“We have aircraft at a readiness state so they are prepared and ready to deploy.”
“If a vote yes, if Tornados flying at that time and if there is a target in Syria UK bombing could happen overnight … If all those ducks are aligned and the aircraft are airborne at that moment and a target comes up they will go. It depends where they are. If we are airborne in Iraq and the vote is yes we could be targeting on that mission,” the Guardian reported Davies saying.
- 22:40 GMT
Out at the protest, boos can be heard as the result is announced.
Boos from protestors outside Parliament as result announced @LBCpic.twitter.com/qbhSlk3OAL
— Charlotte Wright (@LBC_Charlotte) December 2, 2015 - 22:32 GMT
British MPs vote 397 to 223 in favor of launching airstrikes against ISIS in Syria, 174 majority.
After a tumultuous day of impassioned debate, the motion to extend airstrikes against IS from Iraq into Syria has passed with a 174 majority.
Some 67 Labour MPs voted in favor of strikes, swinging the vote in the government’s favor.
Bombing against the extremist group’s Syrian strongholds could begin imminently.
Earlier in the evening, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said raids could begin “very quickly” because jets are already stationed in the Middle East where they are carrying out attacks in Iraq.
- 22:23 GMT
Hilary Benn's speech has been widely heralded as the best speech of the session.
On Twitter Labour MPs, journalists, and onlookers have praised his oratory and his sentiment.
Hilary benn’s speech has persuaded me that fascism must be defeated. I will hold public meeting on Sunday to discuss #syria
— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) December 2, 2015Benn's colleagues tell me he wrote much of that speech while sitting in the commons https://t.co/qz8WuFO4Sp
— Isabel Hardman (@IsabelHardman) December 2, 2015There have been many superb speeches on both sides of today’s debate, but it’ll be Hilary Benn’s that’ll live longest in the memory I think
— Mark Ferguson (@Markfergusonuk) December 2, 2015Very, very powerful & moral speech from @hilarybennmp - MPs from all sides & with different views on #Syria join in clapping as he finishes
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) December 2, 2015Whether you agree or not, that was a truly electrifying speech by Hilary Benn. One that will define his career
— Jonathan Freedland (@Freedland) December 2, 2015 - 22:18 GMT
MPs vote NO to blocking military action in Syria.
Some 390 MPs voted against blocking military action in Syria, with 210 voting in favor.
- 22:10 GMT
The MPs are lining up to vote. A result is imminent.
