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| David Cameron faces growing challenge over Syria plan from rebel MPs | David Cameron faces growing challenge over Syria plan from rebel MPs |
| (21 days later) | |
| David Cameron could be heading for a bigger rebellion than expected over military strikes on Syria, as dozens of Tory MPs express their doubts about the move. | David Cameron could be heading for a bigger rebellion than expected over military strikes on Syria, as dozens of Tory MPs express their doubts about the move. |
| High-profile Conservatives, including three former ministers, Cheryl Gillan, Peter Luff and Sir Gerald Howarth, are among those yet to be convinced of the case for action. | High-profile Conservatives, including three former ministers, Cheryl Gillan, Peter Luff and Sir Gerald Howarth, are among those yet to be convinced of the case for action. |
| The UK prime minister is hoping for the backing of MPs at an emergency debate and vote on Thursday, after he decided Britain needs to act against Syria to deter any further use of chemical weapons. | The UK prime minister is hoping for the backing of MPs at an emergency debate and vote on Thursday, after he decided Britain needs to act against Syria to deter any further use of chemical weapons. |
| He would win any vote easily if backed by Labour, but the party has made its support conditional on Cameron's seeking the involvement of the UN and wants to see an initial report made by UN weapons inspectors in the country. | He would win any vote easily if backed by Labour, but the party has made its support conditional on Cameron's seeking the involvement of the UN and wants to see an initial report made by UN weapons inspectors in the country. |
| Britain is seeking the backing of the UN but a security council resolution backing military strikes is almost certain to be blocked by Russia, leaving Labour's support for a campaign in Syria unclear. | Britain is seeking the backing of the UN but a security council resolution backing military strikes is almost certain to be blocked by Russia, leaving Labour's support for a campaign in Syria unclear. |
| On Wednesday afternoon, the prime minister obtained the support of his National Security Council, including that of former Iraq war opponent and cabinet minister Ken Clarke, for some sort of action against Syria. | On Wednesday afternoon, the prime minister obtained the support of his National Security Council, including that of former Iraq war opponent and cabinet minister Ken Clarke, for some sort of action against Syria. |
| However, about 30 Tory MPs have publicly come out as sceptical about military strikes, putting Cameron under pressure to set out a robust legal basis and military strategy in Thursday's debate. | However, about 30 Tory MPs have publicly come out as sceptical about military strikes, putting Cameron under pressure to set out a robust legal basis and military strategy in Thursday's debate. |
| Gillan, a senior Tory backbencher, said she and many colleagues had "great doubts" and warned intervention could lead to "absolute disaster". | Gillan, a senior Tory backbencher, said she and many colleagues had "great doubts" and warned intervention could lead to "absolute disaster". |
| Luff, one of Cameron's defence ministers until last year, also told the Guardian he "remains to be persuaded". | Luff, one of Cameron's defence ministers until last year, also told the Guardian he "remains to be persuaded". |
| "I am yet to hear a compelling case that military action would be for the best," he said. | "I am yet to hear a compelling case that military action would be for the best," he said. |
| Another former defence minister, Sir Gerald Howarth, said he was concerned Britain was at risk of "getting our hand caught in the mangle" of a civil war between Syrian factions. | Another former defence minister, Sir Gerald Howarth, said he was concerned Britain was at risk of "getting our hand caught in the mangle" of a civil war between Syrian factions. |
| Howarth told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme he was still open-minded about the vote but sceptical about the benefits of military action as Britain had to "be realistic about what it is we can achieve". | Howarth told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme he was still open-minded about the vote but sceptical about the benefits of military action as Britain had to "be realistic about what it is we can achieve". |
| Among the high-profile backbenchers to raise their concerns, Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park, said his "heart says we must do something" but his head "says that would be utter madness". | Among the high-profile backbenchers to raise their concerns, Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park, said his "heart says we must do something" but his head "says that would be utter madness". |
| As MPs weighed up their options, Sir George Young, the chief whip, and his deputy, John Randall, were in Downing Street for a meeting. | As MPs weighed up their options, Sir George Young, the chief whip, and his deputy, John Randall, were in Downing Street for a meeting. |
| It will be crucial for the whips to drum up every Tory vote they can get if Labour decides against supporting the government motion. | It will be crucial for the whips to drum up every Tory vote they can get if Labour decides against supporting the government motion. |
| While many Conservative MPs said they were waiting for the debate to make up their minds how to vote, some appeared already to have come to a decision to vote against. | While many Conservative MPs said they were waiting for the debate to make up their minds how to vote, some appeared already to have come to a decision to vote against. |
| Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and Aylesford, said she was "extremely reluctant to support British interference", and would be voting against any attack "as things stand". | Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and Aylesford, said she was "extremely reluctant to support British interference", and would be voting against any attack "as things stand". |
| Some of the Tory sceptics in quotes | Some of the Tory sceptics in quotes |
| Peter Luff, MP for Mid Worcestershire | Peter Luff, MP for Mid Worcestershire |
| "I am yet to hear a compelling case that military action would be for the best." | "I am yet to hear a compelling case that military action would be for the best." |
| Gerald Howarth, MP for Aldershot | Gerald Howarth, MP for Aldershot |
| "I think we've got to be very careful about military intervention all around the world … Are we going to be at risk of having our hand caught in the mangle?" | "I think we've got to be very careful about military intervention all around the world … Are we going to be at risk of having our hand caught in the mangle?" |
| Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park | Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park |
| "Thursday's debate and vote will be enormously difficult. Heart says we must do something … head says that would be utter madness." | "Thursday's debate and vote will be enormously difficult. Heart says we must do something … head says that would be utter madness." |
| Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and Aylesford | Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and Aylesford |
| "I am extremely reluctant to support British interference in this way. I fear it is fraught with danger, not least because of the relative unknowns raging within the country." | "I am extremely reluctant to support British interference in this way. I fear it is fraught with danger, not least because of the relative unknowns raging within the country." |
| Andrew Bingham, MP for High Peak | Andrew Bingham, MP for High Peak |
| "I would be very reluctant to support any military intervention in Syria. Happy to listen to reasoning but still very sceptical." | "I would be very reluctant to support any military intervention in Syria. Happy to listen to reasoning but still very sceptical." |
| Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East | Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East |
| "We need to be cautious on Syria. What is the threat to British interests? What proof that the Assad government have used chemical weapons?" | "We need to be cautious on Syria. What is the threat to British interests? What proof that the Assad government have used chemical weapons?" |
| Adam Holloway, MP for Gravesend | Adam Holloway, MP for Gravesend |
| "Reaction to horror is not a strategy … I don't know what the end state to this reaction is and, apart from remaining with our dear friends the Americans, I don't know what the UK national security interest is." | "Reaction to horror is not a strategy … I don't know what the end state to this reaction is and, apart from remaining with our dear friends the Americans, I don't know what the UK national security interest is." |
| Andrew Bridgen, MP for North West Leicestershire | Andrew Bridgen, MP for North West Leicestershire |
| "I and many colleagues will want to debate what plans the government have for the aftermath of any military strike, and assess whether it is in our national interest to become embroiled in this potential conflict. There is a deep scepticism amongst many MPs, given the outcome of previous interventions in the Middle East." | "I and many colleagues will want to debate what plans the government have for the aftermath of any military strike, and assess whether it is in our national interest to become embroiled in this potential conflict. There is a deep scepticism amongst many MPs, given the outcome of previous interventions in the Middle East." |
| David TC Davies, MP for Monmouth | David TC Davies, MP for Monmouth |
| "I don't think we have any clear idea of what would happen next." | "I don't think we have any clear idea of what would happen next." |
| John Redwood, MP for Wokingham | John Redwood, MP for Wokingham |
| "We do need persuading that there is any military intervention which the UK could make which would make it better. The first instruction should be to do no harm, in a situation fraught with danger and with all too many armed groups in conflict." | "We do need persuading that there is any military intervention which the UK could make which would make it better. The first instruction should be to do no harm, in a situation fraught with danger and with all too many armed groups in conflict." |
| Cheryl Gillan, MP for Chesham and Amersham | Cheryl Gillan, MP for Chesham and Amersham |
| "Recall essential as no UK intervention in Syria should take place without positive vote from parliament but I and many others have great doubts." | "Recall essential as no UK intervention in Syria should take place without positive vote from parliament but I and many others have great doubts." |
| Sarah Wollaston, MP for Totnes | Sarah Wollaston, MP for Totnes |
| "The first duty of government is to protect our own national interest; exploding a proxy war into global conflict is in no one's interest, least of all the people of Syria." | "The first duty of government is to protect our own national interest; exploding a proxy war into global conflict is in no one's interest, least of all the people of Syria." |
| John Baron, MP for Basildon and Billericay | John Baron, MP for Basildon and Billericay |
| "I think it's going to be closer about this than it was about Iraq. There are more misgivings about this than there were over Libya or other conflicts." | "I think it's going to be closer about this than it was about Iraq. There are more misgivings about this than there were over Libya or other conflicts." |
| Guy Opperman, MP for Hexham | Guy Opperman, MP for Hexham |
| "For my part, I see no plan as yet and more importantly, no strategy and exit. As always, you have to ask whether by getting involved, we make things worse not better … I can say, at the moment, that I am not in favour of any military action." | "For my part, I see no plan as yet and more importantly, no strategy and exit. As always, you have to ask whether by getting involved, we make things worse not better … I can say, at the moment, that I am not in favour of any military action." |
| Nick de Bois, MP for Enfield North | Nick de Bois, MP for Enfield North |
| "I am troubled that a military 'something must be done' response does not carry the full support of military experts on both sides of the Atlantic." | "I am troubled that a military 'something must be done' response does not carry the full support of military experts on both sides of the Atlantic." |
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