MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Corbyn faces shadow cabinet revolt over Cameron's proposal to bomb IS
Mr. Corbyn said he is “determined to see the defeat” of IS; the issue is whether what Cameron is proposing 'strengthens, or undermines, our national security' 
In a letter to MPs he added: “I do not believe that the PM made a convincing case that extending UK bombing to Syria would meet that crucial test”. 
However, shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn said Mr Cameron had set out “compelling arguments” for Britain to join other nations in extending airstrikes Leader of the British opposition Jeremy Corbyn is facing a shadow cabinet revolt over his announcement that he cannot back proposals for airstrikes in Syria. It comes after David Cameron made his case for extending military action against the Islamic State saying “every day we don't take action is a day ISIL grows stronger”.
Mr. Corbyn said while he is “determined to see the defeat” of IS, “the issue now is whether what the Prime Minister is proposing strengthens, or undermines, our national security”.
In a letter to MPs, sent after a shadow cabinet meeting, he added: “I do not believe that the Prime Minister today made a convincing case that extending UK bombing to Syria would meet that crucial test.
”Nor did it satisfactorily answer the questions raised by us and the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.“
According to media reports only four members at the meeting explicitly backed his stance, while 15 spoke out against his position.
And the letter has angered some who see it as an attempt to pre-empt Monday's shadow cabinet meeting while appealing over the head of MPs to the grass roots members who swept Mr Corbyn to the leadership.
Shadow international development secretary Diane Abbott insisted the shadow cabinet was not entitled to vote down the leader and said she was confident they would come to the ”right decision“.
”Jeremy appoints the shadow cabinet - not the other way round. You cannot have a shadow cabinet voting down the leader of the Labor Party who has just been elected with the biggest mandate in history.“
However, shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn said Mr Cameron had set out ”compelling arguments“ for Britain to join other nations in extending airstrikes against IS into Syria.
”I'm very clear in my mind that there's a real threat to the UK from ISIL Daesh.. I think we have a responsibility to take effective action to deal with that threat.”
Mr Corbyn has now pulled out of a planned visit to campaign in the Oldham West by-election this weekend in order to deal with the situation.
The Prime Minister has said there would be no vote in the House of Commons unless he was assured there was a clear majority in favor. And with some Conservative MPs still opposed to the plans, he may need support from a significant number of Labor members.
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Read all commentsSounds like Corbyn is becoming the dictator of Labour. What's the use of having a shadow cabinet if they can only agree with him?
Nov 27th, 2015 - 07:13 am 0The logic will be lost on some.
@1 Skip
Nov 27th, 2015 - 10:33 am 0Corbyn's real problem is that he's been surrounding himself with people with the same 'vision' as he has. In other words 'lunatics' who honestly believe that you can just sit down and 'talk' to IS. IS don't want to talk. IS want to kill. That is all. It is akin to a death cult. The more they kill and maim, the 'happier' they are. Such people can only be dealt with in one way. And that is something Corbyn refuses to accept. Being a pacifist is all well and good, that's his right. But when he stood for leader of the Labour Party (and no one forced him to do it) he put himself into a position where he has to put the needs, welfare and security of the nation BEFORE his own beliefs. If Corbyn is willing to use deadly force, regardless of the circumstances, to protect the people of the UK then he should stand down. Why? Because it is the FIRST and MAIN responsibility of the Prime Minister to protect the people of the UK, which means that the use of deadly force CANNOT be ruled out.
Corbyn has backed himself into a corner. If he allows a free vote, lots of Labour MPs will vote with the Conservatives on bombing Syria (Paris really was the last straw for many of them), but if he uses the 'whip' to try and force them to vote against the government then he faces a revolt.
He may just survive a 'free' vote, but there is no way he'll survive a 'revolt' vote. For Labour and the people of the UK he should just bugger off because he's no use to anyone.
Peace and love are wonderful things, but they can only flourish in a free society. Unfortunately there are far too many people out there who want to enforce their will, beliefs and culture onto others and remove freedom.
Corbyn appears to be one of them.
Here's a couple of handy headlines in British newspapers.
Nov 27th, 2015 - 12:04 pm 0http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-corbyn-should-resign-says-labour-mp-who-agrees-with-him-in-opposing-syria-air-strikes-a6751056.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-corbyn-should-resign-says-labour-mp-who-agrees-with-him-in-opposing-syria-air-strikes-a6751056.html
Wasn't long ago that I said that Corbyn wouldn't last long. Only elected in September and the calls for resignation have already started. Can't have helped when that Castro woman said he was “one of theirs”. Especially as he favours handing the Islands to argieland. A 21st century Neville Chamberlain. Will he make it to September next year?
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