Cameron Slams Opposition as ‘Terrorist Sympathizers’ Ahead of Syria War Vote

Says War Opponents Are 'Bullies'

Britain’s parliament is planning an intense 10 and a half hour debate on expanding their war against ISIS into Syria, with the Cameron government pushing heavily for support for the vote, despite opposition to the plan from the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

Parliament previously approved airstrikes against ISIS targets in Iraq, but explicitly ruled out expanding into Syria. Cameron has been claiming some 70,000 “moderate” rebels are willing to support Britain in Syria, a figure that has been mocked even by his own party as preposterously high.

Facing growing opposition, Cameron is ratcheting up the rhetoric, labeling opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn and other opponents of the war as “a bunch of terrorist sympathizers,” and declaring them “bullies” who are hurting the call to war.

Cameron is planning to stand in the House of Common Wednesday morning and warn them that if they don’t vote for the Syria war, ISIS will launch attacks on the streets of Britain.

Labour is seen strongly against the resolution, with a shrinking number of defections expected. The SNP is also claiming overwhelming opposition. The big question, ultimately, will be how many of Cameron’s own ruling party jump ship and oppose his war.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.