Britain joins war on ISIS: UK Parliament backs air strikes in Iraq against 'psychopathic terrorists' but not in Syria

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• British Tornados could start bombing ISIS bases within hours of the vote  
• Prime Minister said Britain could not 'walk on by' in face of ISIS threat
• He urged and won overwhelming support for military action against militants
• But warned mission will take 'not just months but years' as debate begins
• Just 43 MPs voted against airstrikes, including around 24 Labour members
• Labour MP Rushanara Ali quits frontbench to abstain from voting
• Shadow defence secretary sacks aide Iain McKenzie for voting against action
• Came after Ed Miliband backed Iraq action but not action against Syria 
• Commons motion rules out action in neighbouring Syria without a vote  
• Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby backs military action in Iraq

Britain is to join air strikes against ISIS militants in Iraq after MPs voted overwhelmingly by 524 to 43 to back military action.

Six RAF Tornados are expected to join war planes from the US, France and Arab nations after Parliament staged a six-hour emergency debate on UK intervention.

David Cameron insisted Britain cannot 'walk on by' in the face of the threat posed by 'psychopathic terrorists'.

But divisions emerged over expanding action into neighbouring Syria, with Labour leader Ed Miliband insisting a UN Security Council resolution should be sought first, even though Russia and China are certain to veto it.

Prime Minister David Cameron warned ISIS has behaved with 'staggering brutality' as he opened the debate ahead of the vote in Parliament

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MPs tonight backed the Government's plans to join air strikes against ISIS in Iraq by 524 to 43 - a majority of 481 - after more than six hours of debate in an emergency recall of Parliament today

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The PM left Parliament tonight after MPs backed the Government motion authorising military action against ISIS in Iraq

MPs back Government plans to join air strikes against ISIS

MPs were recalled to Westminster today to vote on British involvement in air strikes against ISIS - also known as Islamic State or ISIL - in Iraq, at the request of the Iraqi government.

Of the 43 MPs who voted against the intervention, around 24 were from Labour, including shadow education minister Rushanara Ali who resigned from the party's front bench because she could not back airstrikes.

It also emerged shortly after the vote that the shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker had sacked his parliamentary aide, the Labour MP Iain McKenzie, for voting against military action.

RAF Tornados have been stationed in Cyprus for the past six weeks and have been flying surveillance flights over northern Iraq. An RAF C-130 was also seen landing at RAF Akrotiri, an air base near Limassol.

They could begin dropping bombs and missiles within hours of the Prime Minister giving the orders.

A widespread consensus emerged on the principle of air strikes in Iraq, even backed by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. But there were repeated calls for the action to be replicated in Syria.

Mr Miliband said it would be 'better' to seek a UN Security Council resolution on action in Syria.

This is about psychopathic terrorists who are trying to kill us. Like it or not they have already declared war on us

Prime Minister David Cameron 

But former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said the demand was 'wholly pointless', as MPs from across the political spectrum said it made no sense to not to include Syria in today's vote. 

Opening the debate, Mr Cameron said: 'There is no more serious issue than asking our armed forces to put themselves in harm's way to protect our country.' 

He insisted British involvement in military action in Iraq was necessary and in the national interest, working with local partner countries to build an international coalition.

He admitted the 2003 invasion of Iraq by Tony Blair's government 'hangs heavy' over the Commons, but warned today's situation is 'very different'. 

'This is not 2003, we must not use past mistakes as an excuse for indifference or inaction,' the PM added.

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Backing military action, Labour leader Ed Miliband said 'although this is difficult, it's the right thing to do'

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Labour Leader Ed Miliband told the Commons that Labour would back military action but demanded a UN resolution before considering airstrikes in Syria

ACTION AGAINST ISIS: THE FULL MOTION PASSED BY MPS TONIGHT

This is the text of the motion passed by MPs after a six-hour debate:

'That this House condemns the barbaric acts of ISIL against the peoples of Iraq including the Sunni, Shia, Kurds, Christians and Yazidi and the humanitarian crisis this is causing; 

'Recognises the clear threat ISIL poses to the territorial integrity of Iraq and the request from the Government of Iraq for military support from the international community and the specific request to the UK Government for such support; 

'Further recognises the threat ISIL poses to wider international security and the UK directly through its sponsorship of terrorist attacks and its murder of a British hostage; 

'Acknowledges the broad coalition contributing to military support of the Government of Iraq including countries throughout the Middle East; 

'Further acknowledges the request of the Government of Iraq for international support to defend itself against the threat ISIL poses to Iraq and its citizens and the clear legal basis that this provides for action in Iraq; 

'Notes that this motion does not endorse UK air strikes in Syria as part of this campaign and any proposal to do so would be subject to a separate vote in Parliament; 

'Accordingly supports Her Majesty's Government, working with allies, in supporting the Government of Iraq in protecting civilians and restoring its territorial integrity, including the use of UK air strikes to support Iraqi, including Kurdish, security forces' efforts against ISIL in Iraq; 

'Notes that Her Majesty's Government will not deploy UK troops in ground combat operations; 

'And offers its wholehearted support to the men and women of Her Majesty's armed forces.'

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The Prime Minister said ISIS were 'psychopaths' which had declared war on Britain and other western countries

SHADOW MINISTER RUSHANARA ALI RESIGN TO ABSTAIN IN KEY VOTE

Shadow education minister Rushanara Ali tonight quit the Labour frontbench after refusing to back Ed Miliband's support for air strikes in Iraq. 

Elected in 2010 as one of the country's first female Muslim MPs, she defeated George Galloway, who was a major critic of new military intervention in Iraq.

Born in Bangladesh, her family moved to the East End when she was seven and she grew up in Tower Hamlets.

The 39-year-old worked as a researcher for former Bethnal Green MP Oona King from 1997-99, before joining the IPPR think tank.

In a letter to Mr Miliband ahead of the vote on Iraq, Ms Ali said: 'I understand the case that has been made and will not be voting against the motion. 

'But I am unable in conscience to support the motion and I will make a deliberate abstention.'

'Mission will take not just months but years', PM tells Commons

THE MPS WHO VOTED AGAINST WAR

Labour:

Diane Abbott

Graham Allen

Anne Begg

Ronnie Campbell

Martin Caton

Katy Clark

Ian Davidson

Paul Flynn

Stephen Hepburn

Kate Hoey

Kelvin Hopkins

Sian James

Mark Lazraowicz

John Mc Donnell

Iain McKenzie

Austin Mitchell

Grahame Morris

George Mudie

Linda Riordan

Barry Sheerman

Dennis Skinner

Graham Stringer

Mike wood

Jeremy Corbyn

Plus: Rushanara Ali (Formal abstention)

Conservative:

Richard Bacon

John Baron

Gordon Henderson

Adam Holloway

Nigel Mills

Mark Reckless

Lib Dems:

Julian Huppert

SDLP:

Mark Durkan

Alasdair McDonnell

Margaret Ritchie

Plaid Cymru:

Jonathan Edwards

Hywel Williams

Respect:

George Gallway

SNP:

Stewart Hosie

Angus Roberton

Mike Weir

Eilidh Whiteford

Angus Brendan McNeill

Pete Wishart

Green:

Caroline Lucas

Mr Cameron said the UK has a 'duty' to act and could not leave responsibility for keeping the British people safe to other countries.

'Is there a threat to the British people? The answer is yes,' he said. 'ISIL has already murdered one British hostage and has threatened to murder two more.'

Mr Cameron added: 'ISIL is a terrorist organisation unlike those we have dealt with before.

'The brutality is staggering - beheadings, crucifixions, gauging out of eyes, use of rape as a weapon. All those things belong to the dark ages.'

Challenged by Labour MP David Winnick, who warned previous interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, had ended in failure, Mr Cameron insisted doing nothing was not an option.

'This is about psychopathic terrorists who are trying to kill us. Like it or not they have already declared war on us. There isn't a walk on by option.'

Labour veteran Dennis Skinner intervened to ask the Prime Minister: 'How long will this war last and when will mission creep start?'

Mr Cameron replied: 'This is going to be a mission that will take not just months but years, but I believe we have to be prepared for that commitment.'

The Cabinet unanimously backed military action against ISIS yesterday, ahead of today's debate.

But the motion passed in Parliament tonight explicitly rules out strikes in Syria, and a separate vote would be needed for British warplanes to widen their targets.

Mr Cameron made clear that opposition from the Labour party meant today's debate was narrowly focussed on Iraq.

He said there was a 'strong case' for UK action in Syria but he 'did not want to bring motion to the House that there wasn't consensus for'.

He backed the US-led air strikes against ISIS targets in Syria, but no British action can be taken there without a further debate and vote at Westminster.

'I do believe there is a strong case for us to do more in Syria but I did not want to bring a motion to the House today which there wasn't consensus for,' he said

'It's better if our country can proceed on the basis of consensus.'

He added that he did not believe there was a 'legal barrier' to action in Syria but he acknowledged the situation there was 'more complicated' than in Iraq because of the civil war and the position of President Assad.  

Most Conservative and Lib Dem MPs are expected to back military action in Iraq, but some Labour MPs are likely to defy Mr Miliband's support to vote against it.

Mr Miliband told MPs he was supporting the government motion for air strikes against ISIS in Iraq.

He said: 'Let us be clear at the outset what is the proposition: air strikes against ISIL in Iraq.

'Not about ground troops. Nor about UK military action elsewhere. And it is a mission specifically aimed at ISIL.'

Mr Miliband added: 'It is not simply that ISIL is a murderous organisation, it has ambitions for a state of its own - a Caliphate across the Middle East, run according to their horrific norms and valuesSo we cannot stand by against the threat of ISIL.

'But in acting against them we need to learn the lessons from the past. That means a comprehensive strategy, humanitarian and political as well as military, rooted in the region.

'Some of this is underway. More needs to be done.

'I believe although this is difficult, this is the right thing to do. There is no graver decision for our Parliament and our country.

'But protecting our national interest, security and the values for which we stand is why I will be supporting the motion this afternoon.' 

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Respect MP George Galloway warned the threat posed by ISIS would not be removed by more bombing

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An RAF C-130 lands at RAF Akrotiri, a British air base near Limassol, as Parliament debates air strikes againts ISIS in Iraq

KEY QUOTES FROM PARLIAMENT 

Prime Minister David Cameron: 'This is about psychopathic terrorists who are trying to kill us. Like it or not they have already declared war on us.'

Labour leader Ed Miliband: 'A dismembered Iraq would be more dangerous for Britain in my view not less dangerous... Isil unchecked means more persecution of the innocent.'

Foreign affairs select committee chairman Sir Richard Ottaway: 'The border between Syria and Iraq has virtually disappeared. It is a sea of human misery.'

The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev Justin Welby: 'In the here and now there is justification for the use of armed force on humanitarian grounds to enable oppressed victims to find safe space.'

Labour former defence secretary Lord Reid: 'If all we do is limited military intervention, push on with tactical strikes and then look for the so-called exit strategy, then we will achieve nothing, we will go round in the same circle again in another part of the world.'

Labour MP Ian Austin: 'Faced with a brutal and murderous organisation that has kidnapped and beheaded victims including British aid workers, which has carried out genocide, enslaves women, buried others alive, crucified, executed and literally butchered Christians, Yazidis and Muslims - anyone who doesn't share their warped and perverted view of Islam.' 

Labour former minister Pat McFadden: 'Why is it right to carry out such actions against Isis in Iraq but not in Syria?

Respect MP George Galloway: 'Isil is a death cult, it's a gang of terrorist murderers. It's not an army and it's certainly not an army that's going to be destroyed by aerial bombardment. This will not be solved by bombing. We've been bombing Iraqis for 100 years.'

Labour MP Dennis Skinner: 'How long will this war last and when will mission creep start?'.

Green MP Caroline Lucas: 'Killing extremists does not kill their ideas.'

Sir Richard Ottaway, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said he feared deaths if British action takes place.

But he said he would back the Government's proposal for Iraq with 'a feeling of depression and trepidation', although he also called for it to be extended to Syria. 

Former Tory Cabinet minister Ken Clarke described Britain's involvement in military action as largely symbolic.

But the senior Conservative MP said the symbolism was important as it will help the UK influence the diplomacy and politics needed to stabilise the Middle East.

Mr Clarke said: 'I am left with the feeling that certainly I should support this motion because some of our best allies are taking part in this intervention.

'But I still think we're at the early stages of working out exactly where we're going and I do think that our almost symbolic participation in these military attacks - six aircraft and our intelligence are no doubt valuable to our allies - but we're symbolically joining with them.' 

Former defence secretary Liam Fox, Tory MP for North Somerset, said: 'What I think we need to be clear about in this country is we cannot disengage from the global threats that we face.

'What is very clear to us is there are those out there who hate us, ideologically, for who we are, not what we do.

'When the United States were bombing Isil and we were delivering humanitarian aid they did not differentiate between an American hostage and a British hostage being beheaded.

'Terrorist ideology respects no borders. There will undoubtedly be a cost of acting on this occasion but the cost of not acting would be infinitely greater.'

Conservative MP Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) questioned whether the Government was 'seriously contending that by air strikes alone we can roll back Isil' and added: 'Is this gesture politics'.

Tory John Baron (Basildon and Billericay) questioned whether western air strikes could be 'actively counter productive'.

Green MP Caroline Lucas (Brighton Pavilion) told the Prime Minister: 'Killing extremists does not kill their ideas.' 

Respect MP George Galloway said the bombing should be left to Saudi Arabia, Turkey and other countries in the region.

'The last people who should be returning to the scene of their former crimes are Britain, France and the United States of America,' he added.

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Outside Parliament, protesters held placards which read 'Don't Bomb Iraq' but inside the Commons MPs insisted the situation was different to the 2003 invasion of Iraq ordered by Tony Blair

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Banners have been erected on Abingdon Green opposite Parliament warning against further military action

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Lift-off: A Tornado jet takes off from RAF Marham, Norfolk believed to be on its way to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to help with the air strikes against ISIS in Iraq