The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
War Powers Act ‘risk to British lives’ – May
PARLIAMENT: PM dismisses call from Labour leader as MPS debate missile strikes on Syria
British lives would be compromised if it became illegal for governments to launch military action without the backing of MPS, Theresa May has warned, as she was accused of showing a “flagrant disregard” for parliament.
The Prime Minister said Jeremy Corbyn’s calls for the introduction of a War Powers Act would “seriously compromise” national security, national interests, and the lives of citizens at home and abroad.
But the Labour leader, opening the second emergency debate in as many days on Britain’s role in missile strikes on Syria’s chemical warfare facilities, said Mrs May’s predecessor, David Cameron, had sought authority for military action on several occasions.
Several Labour MPS defied Mr Corbyn’s request to vote against the emergency debate motion, as the opposition sought to express its dissatisfaction at the Government’s treatment of parliament in relation to the military action in Syria.
The motion, which stated the House of Commons has considered parliament’s rights in relation to the approval of military action by British forces overseas, was approved by 317 to 256 – majority 61.
“I am sorry to say the Prime Minister’s decision not to recall parliament and engage in further military action in Syria last week showed a flagrant disregard for this convention. JEREMY CORBYN
It was initially tabled by Labour to secure the debate and was supported by 307 Conservatives and 10 DUP MPS.
Of Labour’s 259 MPS, 205 voted against the motion – in line with Mr Corbyn’s request – with two also acting as tellers for the noes.
Opening the debate, Mr Corbyn said: “I am sorry to say the prime minister’s decision not to recall parliament and engage in further military action in Syria last week showed a flagrant disregard for this convention.”
But Mrs May defended her decision to take action without seeking parliament’s approval, saying that coming to the Commons beforehand would have compromised the “effectiveness of our operations and safety of British servicemen and women”.
And she said a War Powers Act would mean smaller-scale and targeted military action such as that over the weekend in Syria “would become unviable”.
“And for as long as I’m prime minister, that will never be allowed to happen,” Mrs May added.
Meanwhile, the UK and US have issued an unprecedented joint alert on the threat of “malicious cyber activity” by the Russian state.
Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre combined with the FBI and the US Department of Homeland Security to say Kremlin actions threaten “our respective safety, security and economic well-being”.
Officials said “millions” of computers worldwide had been targeted in operations designed to “support espionage ... and potentially lay a foundation for future offensive operations”.