UK Labour Party Leader to Offer 'Free Vote' in Syria Airstrikes

Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of UK Labour party, will make clear that the party's official policy is to oppose military action, but he will not impose a whip ordering them to vote against, according to a source in Labour Party.

LONDON (Sputnik) – The leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party will offer fellow lawmakers a free vote to decide on airstrikes against the Islamic State jihadist group (ISIL or Daesh in Arabic), a senior party source told local media on Monday.

"It is understood [Jeremy] Corbyn will make clear that the party's official policy is to oppose military action, but he will not impose a whip ordering them to vote against," Sky News cited the senior Labour official as saying.

The broadcaster said Corbyn, in a written statement to Prime Minister David Cameron, urged a two-day debate in the House of Commons ahead of the vote.

Cameron, who set out an extensive case in favor of anti-Daesh airstrikes to the UK Parliament last week, is expected to order the Royal Air Force to target the militant group "within hours" of a parliamentary vote.

British lawmakers are expected to vote on the airstrikes in Syria on Wednesday.