Corbyn signals Labour could back military action in Syria without UN support

Last Updated: October 13, 2015By

Corbyn surprises us all again. It seems he has outsmarted David Cameron on this, as Cameron will need Labour votes to secure support for military action by the UK.

He has also answered critics who claimed his anti-nuclear, diplomatic stance would leave the UK defenceless against warlike nations.

Jeremy Corbyn has signalled for the first time that Labour could support forms of military action in Syria without UN support if Russia blocks a security council resolution.

Taking a more flexible approach to UK military involvement in the Syrian civil war, the new statement urges David Cameron to try again to win support for a new UN resolution allowing military action, and affirms that the party supports the creation of safe zones within Syria to protect Syrians who have had to flee their homes.

The new stance, taking into account the unexpected Russian air campaign in Syria in defence of Assad, is also significant since it is the Labour policy with which the prime minister will have to work if he is to build a clear consensus in the Commons for further UK military action as part of a wider diplomatic plan.

Source: Corbyn signals Labour could back military action in Syria without UN support | Politics | The Guardian

Of course, this being a report in the Graun, there’s a fair amount of Corbyn-bashing too. The article states: “The new positions, an attempt to assert a collective shadow cabinet policy… follow a meeting … between Hilary Benn, Corbyn, the shadow lord chancellor, Lord Falconer, the shadow attorney general, Catherine McKinnell, the shadow defence secretary, Maria Eagle, and the shadow chief whip, Rosie Winterton.

“In a bid to underline this as the agreed Labour leadership position, Corbyn issued a brief statement, saying: ‘I met with shadow cabinet colleagues today and Hilary Benn is setting out the position today.'”

The intention, it seems, is to paint Corbyn as the hanger-on and shows desperation – on the part of the newspaper.

The reality is that Corbyn has seized the initiative on foreign policy and David Cameron is not only in a corner – he’s on the ropes.

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8 Comments

  1. AndyH October 13, 2015 at 11:06 pm - Reply

    Wow, anyone would think Corbyn was prepared to listen to other people’s ideas and co-operate with his MPs – what sort of tyrant is he?!

  2. Christopher Kirk October 13, 2015 at 11:38 pm - Reply

    This is depressing. The “safe haven” idea was a Turkish plan to clear out the Kurds who were threatening the ISIS logistics train from/to Turkey. More importantly, military action in Syria ( or anywhere ) is ILLEGAL without the UN or the legitimate government requesting it. And breaking another country cannot help anything….

  3. Harry October 14, 2015 at 12:54 am - Reply

    This is a very dangerous proposal by Mr Corbyn. The “safe zones” idea has already been negated by Russia as the Isis/Nusra/Quaida terrorists/Nato Proxies (gladio) will make use of them. I do not comprehend this line of policy at all. Better to talk to Russia to find a path to setting up a safe haven for Syrian Civilians. After all the Syrians trust Russia. I doubt very much whether they will trust the UK (by their actions thy shall know them).

  4. gfranklinpercival October 14, 2015 at 8:22 am - Reply

    Why is he not demanding the withdrawal of UK forces from ‘operation shader’ in the Syrian theatre until and unless our representatives in parliament vote in favour?

  5. John Gaines October 14, 2015 at 9:46 am - Reply

    I suppose he means it as he does not play political ‘pass the Ball’ if he does then I’m so sorry he allowed himself , at any time to agree with Cameroon & Co. they and their Tory-lite Labour MP cabal, are fantasists living in a fools world created by Gardy Loo Gideon.

    We have NO soldiers, other than the useless Medal hungry City Ikes, who cowered in Helmand with ‘arry and, still not a Pilot, Wills…allow me a small diversion,

    Her Majesty has 660 Privy Councillors so I guess she will not miss Jeremy and, we all know that you can ‘tell a Man who boozes by the Company he chooses and the Pig got up and slowly walked away’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOWYNJTFsvs Stay away from the PC crap/Trap. Jeremy.

    Now, No money, No Aircraft….No spares, No Missiles, No Budget and worse still, no Commanders qualified to run any OPS whatsoever.

    The real truth is that you would likely screw up if the Isle of Wight declared WAR on you.

    Perish the Thought! I would have to support them.

  6. Vasco Pereira October 14, 2015 at 9:55 am - Reply

    I’m sceptical about this article. Corbyn said the following:

    ‘I met with shadow cabinet colleagues today and Hilary Benn is setting out the position today.’

    This doesn’t reveal any “signal” to indicate that Labour could support military action without UN backing. This is a very opaque statement that doesn’t reveal or even hint on the decision being made. This is yet again Patrick Wintour being very creative with his interpretations of events.

    Let’s suspend judgement until the actual party stance is announced. And if Labour announces that it won’t support military action without UN backing, then perhaps a complaint to IPSO should be in order about this shoddy piece of journalism on the part of Patrick Wintour

  7. mohandeer October 17, 2015 at 5:06 pm - Reply

    Don’t worry if you would rather hide the anti – propagandist facts, I’m used to papers like the Graund. Fortunately we are many and we will, despite the efforts of certain people, get the message out.

    • Mike Sivier October 22, 2015 at 10:21 am - Reply

      I do not understand what you mean by this comment. Nobody’s hiding anything here.

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