Syria. Photograph courtesy of Syria Freedom
The UK Parliament have voted against taking military intervention in Syria, with the House voting 285 to 272 to defeat the Prime Minister’s bill.
The news of the defeat of the bill as announced by Speaker John Bercow was met with a roar from the opposition benches.
The result of this vote will mean that the UK typhoons or missiles will not be used in any military action in Syria, no matter the results of the vote in the US or possible action from France.
After the defeat, David Cameron said:
“Clear to me British parliament and the British people do not wish to see military action; I get that, and I will act accordingly”
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has also confirmed that there will be no British military action in Syria.
Earlier in the debate, Labour leader Ed Miliband was accused of giving “succour” to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by refusing to back the government’s bill for military intervention. Labour proposed an amendment to the government’s bill authorising possible military intervention which called for “compelling evidence” before any action could be taken, but this was defeated 332 to 220.