BRITAIN can not stand by and watch as Syrian civilians are butchered or forced to flee their country, MP Jo Cox will say tonight.

The Batley & Spen MP will make the argument during a debate in the House of Commons.

Mrs Cox, who was an aid worker for ten years and worked in war zones all over the world, has secured an adjournment debate on protecting civilians in Syria.

The Labour politician will approach the issue from her background in humanitarian work and make the case that a broad and long term strategy is needed, one that must have three key components - a humanitarian response, a diplomatic response and a military one.

"We have to challenge two key myths. Firstly that ISIS is the only threat to peace, stability and civilians in Syria," she said.

"The second myth is that our response has to be humanitarian, diplomatic or military. An effective, ethical response has to include all three.".

"Labour cannot cross the street to avoid what is happening in Syria. We have a proud history of internationalism and intervention as a Labour movement and we must not allow the aberration of Iraq to stop us from showing solidarity and support for the Syrian people."