Conservative ministers to lobby Labour MPs over air strikes in Syria
Ahead of a vote in the House of Commons on whether the UK should extend air strikes into Syria, ministers are expected to be making calls to Labour MPs to shore up support from the opposition benches.
The foreign secretary Philip Hammond and defence secretary Michael Fallon are said to be among those making calls, the BBC reports.
The news comes the day after it emerged senior figures in Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet will resign if he forces them to follow his line.
Read more: Stop the War coalition to march on Downing Street
Even shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn has said the case for air strikes is "compelling", while former Labour leader and Prime Minister Tony Blair has also said that Cameron can rely on the support of "many Labour MPs".
And shadow chancellor John McDonnell said MPs should be allowed to make their "own judgement" on the matter, adding: "There are some issues like going to war that should be above party politics."
Read more: Corbyn facing revolt as shadow cabinet back Cameron on Syria
A vote on whether to use air strikes in Syria in an attempt to combat the threat posed by the so-called Islamic State could come as early as next week.
Meanwhile, Stop the War coalition, of which Corbyn is the chair, have organised a protest against the potential air strikes.