A government source tells the Times: “No 10 and the Foreign Office think Miliband is a f****** c*** and a copper-bottomed s***. The French hate him now and he’s got no chance of building an alliance with the US Democratic Party”. Why? Here is where things stand this morning. Miliband’s threat to oppose the government means the PM doesn’t have the numbers for military action. Today’s vote will now not authorise intervention, there will have to be a second vote next week if Cameron wants war. A case of Miliband outmanoeuvring Cameron or a victory for Parliament? Either way, he is just delaying having to actually make a decision.

This is the government’s motion for today:

Click to enlarge.

It’s going to be a long one…