Hilary Benn

In the Syria debate on 2 December 2015, Benn opens by defending the legitimacy of colleagues who will vote differently, then makes a cumulative case for military action. His conclusion connects the decision to Labour's anti-fascist tradition, using historical analogy to give the argument moral force. Study how that appeal is prepared by earlier reasoning, and also ask whether the analogy carries the weight placed on it. Parliamentary applause records a response in the chamber; it does not settle the policy question or prove that the speech changed votes.