Poll: Support Grows For Ground War Against IS

Support for a ground war against Islamic State in Syria is growing following the Paris terror attacks, according to a new poll.

Out of 1,061 people surveyed some 536 (50%) said they supported British boots on the ground compared to 324 (31%) who are against the idea.

Support for direct military action increases to 59% if it were conducted alongside other countries such as the US and France, and rises to 68% if UN troops are sent in.

Support for airstrikes stands at 60%, according to a ComRes poll for the Daily Mail.

It comes as a group of backbench Labour MPs in favour of military airstrikes in Syria prepares to go public with its case next week, ahead of the expected publication of a Syria plan by David Cameron.

The backbenchers, including some former shadow Cabinet ministers, say that between 20 and 25 Labour MPs will back RAF action in Syria "come what may".

The Prime Minister said on Wednesday he will set out a "comprehensive strategy" for tackling IS and intensifying airstrikes in the country, adding that in the wake of the Paris attacks there was a "compelling case" for extending military action.

"We cannot expect - we should not expect - others to carry the burdens and risks of protecting our country," he said.

"It is in Syria, in Raqqa, that ISIL has its headquarters and it is from Raqqa that some of the main threats against this country are planned and orchestrated. Raqqa, if you like, is the head of the snake."

The Prime Minister has made clear he will not put military action in Syria to the vote in the House of Commons until he is sure of victory, because failure would damage Britain's "reputation in the world".

Mr Cameron suffered significant embarrassment with a Commons defeat in 2013 over taking military action against Syrian President Bashar al Assad's regime.