How the parties at Westminster would vote on Syria airstrikes

How the parties at Westminster would line up for a vote on extending airstrikes to Syria:

Conservatives – 330 MPs (working majority of 16)

The Conservatives are for the most part united behind David Cameron on the plan to extend airstrikes to Syria. The whips are hoping for fewer than the 30 rebels who opposed the prime minister in 2013 when he last tried to get a vote on Syria military action through the Commons, although the make-up of the party has changed since then.

Significantly, Crispin Blunt, the influential Conservative chairman of the foreign affairs committee, who was a rebel in 2013, said during the Commons debate on Thursday that he now supports military action. His committee had earlier this month written a highly sceptical report questioning the justification for joining the bombing campaign. Another of those who is taking a different position is Sarah Wollaston, who described Cameron’s speech as a “compelling case”.

There are thought to be at least 15 who will still not back the government. Some of the sceptics have been particularly questioning Cameron’s claim that there are 70,000 rebel ground troops ready to occupy territory held by Isis. The doubters include former army officer John Baron, Sir Edward Leigh, former cabinet minister Peter Lilley and Julian Lewis, the chairman of the Commons defence committee.