Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Dr Karin Von Hippel, the new head of the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), tells Today that air power alone won't solve the conflict in Syria but the UK can bring "additional expertise" and "moral support" to the campaign against IS. And she warns: "Time is not on our side. The longer we wait the worse it gets."

BBC Breakfast

Philip Hammond is asked about comments made on the eve of the vote by David Cameron, who labelled Mr Corbyn and other opponents of action as "terrorist sympathisers".

Mr Hammond said:

BBC Breakfast

The foreign secretary says there will need to be a ground assault on Raqqa in Syria to defeat IS.

"We are absolutely clear that British Forces will not be committed to ground combat in Syria," he says, adding that it would be "deeply unhelpful" and "counterproductive".

Philip Hammond says a military tract against the extremist group is needed now, alongside a political tract in Vienna to bring about a political solution to the conflict.

BBC Breakfast

Philip Hammond says the air campaign will make the UK safer, warning that "we can't hide" from IS, "they are out to get us". He adds:

BBC Breakfast

Image source, PA

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond says the UK is already carrying out air strikes against IS in Iraq, and argues that they should be extended across the border into Syria, to target not just the "frontline position" of IS in Iraq, but their "headquarters" in Syria:

Norman Smith
Assistant political editor

David Cameron’s remarks - telling a meeting of Tory MPs last night not to vote with Jeremy Corbyn and "terrorist sympathisers" - were in stark contrast to the measured and conciliatory approach he has sought to adopt so far  in an effort to broaden support for air strikes.

Last night colleagues of Mr Cameron suggested his comments were meant to be private but acknowledged they risked stiffening Labour opposition.

This already appears to be hardening following renewed calls from Mr Corbyn for constituency parties to put pressure on Labour MPs. At the same time there has been a ferocious onslaught  on pro-war Labour MPs from some party activists on social media.

This morning the Labour MP John Mann - an opponent of air strikes - called for their expulsion from the party:

The SNP have said they will oppose air strikes and more than a hundred MPs from all parties have backed a motion arguing the case for war has not yet been made. On the Tory side, a handful are set to vote against Mr Cameron and more may abstain.

Even so, the government is confident of victory - although Mr Cameron will be anxious to secure as large a majority as possible.  

BBC Breakfast

Laura Kuenssberg
BBC political editor

Some nights in Westminster you can feel a crackle in the air, you can sense the tension, and sometimes even see the weight of responsibilities that MPs know they carry collectively in the looks on their faces. Last night was one of them.

For government ministers this vote has been a very long time coming, an obvious extension of the action British forces are taking in Iraq.

Bombing is, to them, part of a complicated set of solutions, but a straightforward decision to make. Don't confuse that however with a sentiment that it is an easy choice.

MPs on all sides have agonised over making this decision and now, less than 24 hours before the vote there are still dozens who are yet to make up their minds.

The government is still confident of a comfortable majority. Significant numbers of Labour MPs are expected to vote with them, perhaps 50 or so have expressed as much. But on both sides of the argument there have been last-ditch attempts to screw down supporters.

There are reports, denied by his office, that Jeremy Corbyn's supporters have been aggressively targeting Labour MPs to try to keep numbers backing action down. One MP who is pro air strikes reported a remarkable exchange with one of the leader's supporters who told him "you want to start this? We'll finish it, so f*** you."

No question, this whole debate has become a proxy for control of the Labour Party, rather than a reasoned debate about the rights of wrongs of the action.

Also last night though, in a private meeting with his own MPs, the prime minister abandoned his previous careful language, urging his side not to vote with Jeremy Corbyn and "terrorist sympathisers" - a remark that's been branded as offensive by members from other parties.

It's a mark of just how tense things are as the clock ticks down. Feelings are running so high, particularly in the Labour Party, that the way the debate has been conducted in these last few days will shape politics in the months to come.

Hello and welcome as we begin our rolling coverage of what is set to be a historic day at Westminster as MPs debate and vote on whether the UK should extend its bombing of Islamic State targets into Syria.

Read our full preview story here

Image source, PA

Wednesday promises to be one of the most significant and dramatic days in Westminster for many years. A ten-hour debate in the House of Commons will culminate in MPs voting on whether to authorise UK military action in Syria. There are likely to be passionate speeches on all sides, with the prospect of Labour frontbenchers making rival arguments from the despatch box. There will also be a debate in the House of Lords. Please join us for the countdown to the vote from 7.30 GMT, with Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and his shadow Hilary Benn expected to tour the media studios.  

Laura Kuenssberg
BBC political editor

Some nights in Westminster you can feel a crackle in the air, you can sense the tension, and sometimes even see the weight of responsibilities that MPs know they carry collectively in the looks on their faces. This is one of them.

For government ministers this vote has been a very long time coming, an obvious extension of the action British forces are taking in Iraq.

Bombing is, to them, part of a complicated set of solutions, but a straightforward decision to make. Don't confuse that however with a sentiment that it is an easy choice.

MPs on all sides have agonised over making this decision and now, less than 24 hours before the vote there are still dozens who are yet to make up their minds.

Read Laura's full blog, external