BATLEY and Spen MP Jo Cox has urged the prime minister to give the Syrian crisis "diplomatic priority" as David Cameron set out the case for UK airstrikes against Islamic State during a statement in the House of Commons yesterday.

Labour's Jo Cox said the prime minister made "a strong and compelling case" for action but that she was concerned that it was an ISIS first plan rather than a Syria first plan.

"To date I feel the UK hasn’t given this crisis the diplomatic priority it demanded. What reassurance can he give the House that a tactical focus on air strikes won’t distract or undermine those vital attempts to achieve a ceasefire and political transition?"

In reply the PM said the Government was stepping up the diplomatic and political efforts and guaranteed this was a whole strategy and added: "There is no defeat of ISIL until there’s a Syrian government that can represent all its people."

Mr Cameron's statement came just under a fortnight after the attacks in Paris that killed 130 people, and was in response to concerns raised by the cross-party Foreign Affairs Committee that air strikes in Syria would be a "distraction" in the absence of a wider strategy.

Keighley's MP says the Government's argument that UK airstrikes should be extended beyond the Iraqi border into Syria should be supported.

Kris Hopkins was speaking after the Prime Minister briefed MPs on his reaction to the recent Foreign Affairs Select Committee report on UK military action.

David Cameron told the House of Commons today that targeting ISIS terrorists in Syria would be in the UK’s national interest.

Responding after the Commons session, Mr Hopkins said: “I believe leaving the UK’s security to our allies is no longer an option.

"France and the United States have asked for our help, and we should give it.

“The attacks in Paris were appalling. And our intelligence agencies have made it very clear that, given the opportunity, ISIS terrorists would seek to perpetrate similar atrocities in British cities.

“The Prime Minister has also made very clear that a full political settlement is required. But we will not negotiate with ISIS who cannot be part of any long-term solution."