Three of South West Hertfordshire’s four MPs voted in favour of the government’s defeated motion which could have paved the way for a UK military intervention in Syria.
Watford MP Richard Harrington, Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning and Hertsmere MP James Clappison all voted for the bill which was defeated by 285 votes to 272 last night.
South West Hertfordshire MP David Gauke cancelled plans to return from holiday for the vote after an agreement was reached between Labour and Conservative whips that a member of the opposition would also not vote, thereby cancelling each other out.
David Gauke MP
Mr Gauke said: "I would have obviously supported the government motion. I think it is right this country plays a full part in world affairs.
"I do not think it is a great day for our standing in the world but it is a complicated matter."
The vote after Prime Minister David Cameron called for a military response to the suspected use of chemical weapons on the outskirts of Damascus last week in which hundreds of people were reported to have died.
Mr Harrington said: "Last night I voted with the government, not because I believe in full scale military intervention, far from it, but because I strongly believe we have a duty to show Assad and dictators around the world that the use of chemical weapons against their own people will not be tolerated and to show the people of Syria that not only has their plight not been forgotten, or worse; witnessed but not acted upon.
"Following the result of lasts nights votes the government must act according to the will of Parliament but I hope that we will be able to send a clear message to Assad and the people of Syria that the murderous regime cannot act in the way it has without recourse.
"The ongoing civil war in Syria is extremely complex and there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ side.
"I have previously publically opposed the arming of Syrian rebels and this is something that I still stand by.
Richard Harrington MP
"The motion before parliament yesterday was not a matter of taking sides on the conflict but to take effort to prevent the indiscriminate slaughter of innocent people, and am concerned that other Members did not support this."
Mr Clappison added: "I listened to the prime minister’s speech and thought he made a very convincing case for military intervention to prevent further chemical attacks.
"Parliament decided otherwise and we must respect that."
James Clappison MP
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel