The likelihood of Britain's involvement in another war in the Middle East receded tonight after a long and emotive debate and a close vote. I have consistently disagreed with those who pushed for military action against Syria and I voted accordingly. I didn't have a chance to speak as I was not called. To be fair, another vote was needed for actual deployment but the principle of military intervention was enshrined in tonight's motion and I do not believe we should go down that road at all. Of course, Assad's regime is wicked and, like any civil war, people are dying in their tens of thousands, but firing missiles into Syria, however they are targeted, will not resolve the appalling tragedy there. Regrettably, there are, and always will be, ghastly regimes but, if we decided to punish every one, the skies would be full of missiles. It is not in our national interest to wage war on Syria, hard though that may be for some who genuinely wish to do their best for all those suffering. We all want the best for everyone, but the head must rule the heart on this particular conflict and we must stay out.