MPs To Vote On IS Strikes When PM 'Confident'

MPs will get to vote again on whether Britain can proceed with airstrikes on Islamic State in Syria - but not until the Government is "confident" of getting a majority.

George Osborne said losing such a vote for a second time - after a previous defeat in 2013 - would be a "publicity coup" for the extremist group.

In 2013, the then coalition government was humbled by 285 votes to 272, majority 13, over a motion which explored the possibility of airstrikes against Syrian president Bashar Assad after his forces used chemical weapons to kill civilians.

The Chancellor was speaking amid reports that David Cameron is launching a final attempt to win backing for airstrikes in Syria – with MPs expected to vote in the Commons within the next fortnight.

The first bombing raids against Islamic State would begin within hours of a "yes" vote, The Sunday Times reported.

Mr Cameron is to start privately warning MPs that the UK needs to act like "Churchill not Chamberlain" if it wishes to defeat terrorism.

Downing Street sources told the newspaper that Mr Cameron is preparing a seven-point plan for military intervention.

This report would be in response to the findings of the influential Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, which warned against military involvement until there was an international strategy to end the conflict.

Mr Osborne told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "We're not going to go to the House of Commons and lose again.

"That would be a publicity coup for ISIL, that would send a terrible message about Britain's role in the world.

"So we're only going to call a vote when we're confident we’re going to win that vote."

The Prime Minister's push for airstrikes comes as Mr Osborne plans to announce that Britain is purchasing 138 stealth fighter jets in a £12bn deal.

The Sunday Times said the purchase, which goes far beyond what military experts expected, is reportedly the centrepiece of the Government's strategic defence review, to be published on Monday.

However, the Navy is likely to suffer considerable scale-backs, according to the newspaper.

Meanwhile, there are concerns that proposed budget cuts to the police force will hinder their ability to cope with Paris-style attacks .

In a letter written to Home Secretary Theresa May, a senior police officer said cuts may "reduce very significantly" police capabilities in the event of such an attack.

On Monday, David Cameron is meeting French President Francois Hollande for talks on how to tackle IS in Iraq and Syria.

This gathering follows the unanimous UN backing of France's call to co-ordinate international efforts in the wak of the Paris attacks.

A ComRes poll for the Sunday Mirror and The Independent On Sunday suggested that 46% of Britons believe the UK should participate in airstrikes against IS – with or without UN approval. However, 32% of those surveyed disagree.

Jeremy Corbyn apparently ruled out military intervention in Syria during a speech on Saturday - but MPs within his own party have warned it would be "deplorable" if Labour failed to back in the Government in a Commons vote.

France is part of a US-led coalition which has been carrying out airstrikes against IS for over a year, while Russia launched a separate bombing campaign in September.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged Russia and the US on Sunday to co-operate in their efforts to root out terrorism, while US President Barack Obama said the US and its allies would "not relent" in its efforts to "destroy" IS.

:: Russia And France To Join Forces In IS Fight