MPs should use their own judgment on whether to support airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria, the shadow chancellor has said in the latest sign the Labour leadership will allow a free vote on the issue.

John McDonnell, one of Jeremy Corbyn’s closest allies, denied the party was divided over the issue, saying many were struggling to get used to the new politics where people could “honestly express their views”.

But he went on to endorse the idea of giving Labour MPs a free vote, adding that the “horrendous mistake” of the Iraq war had been partly due to MPs being “whipped and threatened and pushed” into supporting “something many of them did not believe in”.

McDonnell said on BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions: “I don’t believe that is acceptable. There are some issues, like going to war, that should be above party politics, and I think we are moving to a situation where, hopefully, in all parties on issues like this, a moral conscience should be above the whip as well.

“On certain issues, the ones really above party politics, we have got to have mature politics in our democracy now. This is a matter of conscience. You are sending people out possibly to die. There shouldn’t be any party discipline on matters like this. You should follow your own judgment on what you think is best for the constituency and the country.”

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His comments came amid increasing tensions within the party after Corbyn expressed his opposition to airstrikes, a position at odds with much of the leader’s shadow cabinet. Several senior Labour MPs were reportedly preparing to break ranks and challenge the leader to stand down over the issue.

A vote on airstrikes could be brought to the Commons as early as Tuesday by David Cameron, who on Thursday set out what he has called the compelling case for extending such British military action from Iraq into Syria. Cameron has insisted he will not call a vote on the issue unless he is sure of securing a majority in favour.

McDonnell’s comments came on the eve of Stop the War marches due to take place across the UK. Corbyn, a vice-president of the organisation, is not expected to attend.

The Labour leader has faced warnings of resignations after he wrote to party MPs to express his opposition to airstrikes. Corbyn wrote: “I do not believe that the prime minister made a convincing case that British airstrikes on Syria would strengthen our national security or reduce the threat from Isis.

“When I was elected I said I wanted Labour to become a more inclusive and democratic party. So I am writing to consult you on what you think Britain should do. Should parliament vote to authorise the bombing of Syria?”



Corbyn urged MPs to let him know of their views by the start of next week, as well as to canvass the views of members in their constituencies.

McDonnell made clear his own strong opposition to any western military action in the Middle East. “Our involvement in a bombing campaign, it plays into the narrative of Isil, of a crusader invasion,” he said. “It will make the situation worse, not just for us but for the others as well.

“I believe that, actually, the solution in Syria, and in Iraq as well, is in the hands of the regional powers. The bombing will ensure those regional powers will not step up to the plate.”

A free vote in the Commons would allow as many as 100 Labour MPs to openly disagree with Corbyn and support airstrikes. On Friday, French president Francois Hollande appealed to British MPs to back Cameron’s call. Speaking at the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Malta, Hollande said: “We want to destroy terrorism … I hope that the House of Commons will be able to meet the request of Prime Minister Cameron.”

In addition to the letter to MPs, a survey was emailed to hundreds of thousands of party members and supporters asking for “views on Syria”.



The shadow Cabinet Office minister, Jonathan Ashworth, posted a link on Twitter to the survey, saying “consultation always a good thing”.



Asked by another user why he had posted a link that allowed non-Labour members to fill it in, Ashworth replied: “Because I think we should take account of views of voters.”



Jonathan Ashworth MP (@JonAshworth) Consultation always a good thing. I encourage everyone with views on tackling ISIL to respond to @UKLabour survey https://t.co/rXsU0jmnk8

The Labour backbencher Gavin Shuker told BBC’s Newsnight there would be concerns the survey was designed to increase the pressure on colleagues.

“Of course we know what Jeremy’s position is, so the consultation is not going to change that,” he said. “The concern will be that the consultation is trying to change the views of people who, on a matter of principle, simply cannot see eye to eye.”

Shuker said it was untenable for the party not to have a collective position on airstrikes, and it might be better for frontbenchers to resign. “I am someone who would oppose military action in Syria right now, but I think it is frankly untenable that we as a party cannot express a collective view on the issue.”

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According to the BBC, senior ministers are expected to phone Labour MPs urging them to back airstrikes. The foreign secretary, the defence secretary and the government’s national security adviser will make the calls over the weekend in an attempt to secure more support for Cameron. The Times also reports that senior Labour figures and MPs have sought legal advice on how to unseat Corbyn in the hope of building support for a plot against him.



On Saturday, Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, became the latest senior party figure to defy Corbyn, throwing his support behind Hilary Benn, the shadow foreign secretary, and saying that the threat of Isis meant Britain should take military action.