Syria crisis: Cameron loses Commons vote on Syria action
BBC News
MPs have rejected possible UK military action against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government to deter the use of chemical weapons.
David Cameron said he would respect the defeat of a government motion by 285-272, ruling out joining US-led strikes.
The US said it would “continue to consult” with the UK, “one of our closest allies and friends”.
France said the UK’s vote does not change its resolve on the need to act in Syria.
Russia – which has close ties with the Assad government – welcomed Britain’s rejection of a military strike.
The prime minister’s call for a military response in Syria followed a suspected chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of the capital Damascus on 21 August, in which hundreds of people are reported to have died.
The US and UK say the Assad government was behind the attack – a claim denied by Damascus, which blames the rebels.
Assad said Syria would defend itself against any aggression.
‘Harm relationship’
The UK government’s motion was in support of military action in Syria if it was backed up by evidence from United Nations weapons inspectors, who are investigating the attack.
They are due to finish their work on Friday and give their preliminary findings to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the weekend.
After the vote Prime Minster David Cameron said it was clear Parliament did not want action and “the government will act accordingly”.
Chancellor George Osborne told Radio 4’s Today programme there would now be “national soul searching about our role in the world”.
He added: “I hope this doesn’t become a moment when we turn our back on all of the world’s problems.”
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond had told BBC’s Newsnight programme that he and the prime minister were “disappointed” with the result, saying it would harm Britain’s “special relationship” with Washington.
But he said he did not expect Britain’s decision to “stop any action” by other countries.
Labour leader Ed Miliband said on Friday that the House of Commons had spoken “for the people of Britain”.
“People are deeply concerned about the chemical weapons attacks in Syria, but they want us to learn the lessons of Iraq,” he said.
“They don’t want a rush to war. They want things done in the right way, working with the international community.”
He said Britain “doesn’t need reckless and impulsive leadership, it needs calm and measured leadership”.
Mr Miliband said Britain’s relationship with the US “remains strong” despite the vote. He said there is a lesson that Britain must do what is in its national interest, even if that means doing something different to America.
Responding to the news, ODFS Director, Ribal Al-Assad said:
“I am pleased that yesterday British parliamentarians rejected military intervention in Syria. This is the right decision and I commend those who voiced their concerns in yesterday’s debate.
Whilst the chemical attack that occurred was a horrific and heinous act, it is important to get the facts right before any action is considered by the international community. It is now vital that we establish who was behind it and the U.N. must be allowed to complete their investigation.
British parliamentarians recognised this and their choice to step back from the conflict and pursue a dialogue driven and humanitarian approach to the crisis is the best course of action.
Military intervention is fraught with difficulties and raises some very real concerns about the future of the peace process in Syria should such action be taken. Certainly no military action should be taken without the approval of the U.N. Security Council.
It is paramount at this point that the right decisions are made by the international community, I am reassured by the UK’s position and hope that other countries will now follow suit.”
