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Does May need to call a Commons vote on striking Syria?

Theresa May was constitutionally entitled to order British forces into action in Syria without a Commons vote.

The Prime Minister has the power to deploy troops under the Royal Prerogative.

There are no hard and fast rules obliging the government to involve rank-and-file MPs in the decision.

But a vote on prolonged deployment of UK forces would be almost impossible to avoid. 

Commons divisions have been held on almost all military action by British forces since the Iraq War in 2003, establishing what many see as a firm convention.

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