Further thoughts on the Syrian vote

I respect those on both sides of the argument about Syria who are trying to do what is right for Britain and for Syria.

The evidence that the Syrian regime has used Sarin gas on it's own people and killed fourteen hundred of them - including several hundred children - appears to be a great deal stronger than was ever produced to suggest that Saddam had WMD.

Whoever is responsible for that action, it was completely intolerable and it is extremely important that the perpetrators pay a price for it.

Equally I can respect the views of all those who want to be certain who those perpetrators were before we act - indeed I think everyone agrees with that point - and the views of those who think that a non-military response might have less potential to go horribly wrong.

I think it a good thing that executives on both sides of the Atlantic are paying more attention to the outcome of an open an honest debate with their respective legislatures.

The legacy of Iraq is bound to make convincing parliament to agree to military action in the future harder. All the more reason for this or any future government to make sure they can present the strongest possible case.

There was a good quote from Fraser Nelson

"Having lost the vote, Cameron can easily brush off the more exitable charges that he faces a leadership challenge or that Tories will come for him at party conference.

They won't.

Cameron was elected to fix Britain, not Syria, and is doing quite well with the day job ...

"Let's remember that Cameron and Obama both promised that they'd hold debates before military action ..."

"It is to Cameron's great credit that parliament was convened yesterday: bad for him politically perhaps, but an important part of democratic renewal.

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