MP's split vote over military action against Syria

The area's MPs faced a controversial vote in Parliament last week on David Cameron’s motion to lay the foundations for military action against Syria.

It followed a chemical attack in a suburb of the capital Damascus that killed hundreds of people, thought to be carried out by government forces.

Home Secretary Theresa May and Beaconsfield MP Dominic Grieve both supported the Government's motion - which was defeated - but Windsor MP Adam Afriyie abstained.

Maidenhead MP Mrs May said: “We need to see a tough response to the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime. However Parliament does not wish to see British military action, and the Prime Minister has rightly said he will respect that.”

In a statement on his website, Mr Afriyie described his 'revulsion' at the Syrian attack but said: “I believe it is premature to mandate actions or conduct UK military strikes against Syria before the investigations are complete.”

Fellow Conservative Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe, opposed military intervention, voting against the bill.

“A lasting end to this carnage will require a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement,” he said. “Diplomacy and humanitarian aid, especially to refugees, must continue and be reinforced.”

Slough Labour MP Fiona Mactaggart also voted against the proposal. She said: “Neither the Prime Minister or any other speaker who argued for a military strike was able to set out how that action will stop Assad. Instead it would risk the lives of many more people.”