British MPs overwhelmingly backed the military action by 397 votes to 233, following a 10 hour debate in the House of Commons. In the run up to the vote, divisions in the government were replicated in the rhetoric of UK's main newspapers.
I believe the House has taken the right decision to keep the UK safe — military action in Syria as one part of a broader strategy.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) December 2, 2015
The day after the vote, headlines screamed: "Britain is at war in Syria", as the Daily Express put it.
The I newspaper said: "Green light for Syria airstrikes" with pictures of protesters outside Parliament Square holding placards saying "Don't bomb Syria."
Def Sec: We are doubling UK strike force against #Daesh by sending 2 Tornados & 6 Typhoons to @RoyalAirForce Akrotiri today.
— Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) December 3, 2015
London newspaper, The Times ran with the rhetoric that David Cameron "wins huge backing for war." The war theme continued in the Metro, Britain's free morning newspaper, targeting commuters with a front page saying: "War on Daesh."
Left-wing tabloid the Daily Mirror, however, had a dramatic picture of an aircraft taking off at night, with the headline: "Cam's War below."
To get the latest updates on the strikes in #Syria & Iraq sign up to our daily news email — https://t.co/uGlH6V94Vp pic.twitter.com/hclczzTCjQ
— Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) December 3, 2015
The Guardian had David Cameron's face superimposed over the colors of the Syrian flag with the clear message that the government has backed the Prime Minister's decision to launch airstrikes in Syria: "MPs back Cameron over Syria airstrikes."
The Daily Telegraph on the other hand, carried the final speech made by shadow foreign secretary, Hilary Benn, son of former Labour poltician Tony Benn, which many say should have been the words the Prime Minister should have uttered.
4 newspapers tie Corbyn's name to airstrikes in Syria. Wasn't it Cameron's proposal? What exactly is going on here? pic.twitter.com/77CA0bQk1M
— Media Diversified (@WritersofColour) November 30, 2015
The Independent also carried a picture of Hilary Benn and his words: "We must defeat fascists."
Britain's biggest selling tabloid the Daily Mail, looks beyond the start of the bombing campaign in Syria, and asks: "So after the bombs, what comes next?"
