Yahoo News Labour Leader Facing Revolt Over Syria Action
Jeremy Corbyn is facing a revolt by Labour MPs on Syria - even before the Prime Minister unveils his blueprint for war.
After the Opposition leader gave what many MPs saw as an incoherent, rambling response to David Cameron's big defence statement in the Commons, Labour rebels vowed to defy him in a Syria vote expected next week .
Leading the revolt was Dan Jarvis, a former Army officer tipped as a future Labour leader, who wrote in The Guardian that Isis (also known as IS) and its poisonous ideology must be confronted.
"This is a moment when we should put party politics aside in the national interest," he wrote. "We have a duty to stand together and confront as one this common enemy.
"If the Prime Minister can show he has a wider strategy to do that, he will have my support."
And in a thinly veiled attack on the anti-war Mr Corbyn , Mr Jarvis said: "Much has been said in recent days of the importance of learning the lessons of recent conflicts.
"As someone who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflict zones, memories weigh heavily on my mind.
"Of course we must learn from the past, but we must not become prisoners of it either."
The Syria vote, Mr Corbyn's first big test in Parliament, is likely to coincide with his first test with voters, a by-election in Oldham in 10 days' time.
Voters in Oldham told Sky News Mr Corbyn's views on defence would influence how they vote.
Mr Cameron confirmed to MPs that he will unveil his blueprint for war in the Commons on Thursday and MPs have predicted the Syria vote will be the middle of next week, possibly only a day or so before polling in the by-election.
Two years ago, Labour and 30 rebel Tory MPs inflicted a humiliating defeat on David Cameron. Now it is Mr Corbyn who is facing a revolt from Labour MPs pledging to vote for air strikes.
The MP for Tony Blair's old seat of Sedgefield is also ready to defy Mr Corbyn and vote with the Prime Minister.
Phil Wilson, who sits on the Defence Select Committee, told Sky News what happened in Paris could happen in London and Labour MPs should vote to support Britain's allies.
