David Cameron Humiliated As Britain Refuse To Bomb Syria

James Cameron asked MPs to support the use of force in principle, but dozens of Tories joined Labour to vote against him with a majority of 13.

Mr Cameron immediately climbed down and said Britain would not be going to war alongside America against Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

He said it was clear Parliament “does not want to see British military action”. He added: “I get that. The Government will act accordingly.”

It is a humiliation for the Prime Minister who staked his reputation by leading calls for action against the Syrian regime after its chemical weapons attack killed hundreds last week.

Even his own backbenchers turned against him and Labour leader Ed Miliband, who had urged caution over any attacks, said last night: “Tonight shows Britain does not need cavalier leadership. Britain needs calm and measured leadership.”

He told the Daily Mirror: “We were right to stand up for the interests of the British people and the rule of law.

"We were right to treat this issue with the seriousness we did because of the significance of the decision we faced.”

Questions will now be asked about how Downing Street so badly misjudged the call for war and misread the mood of his backbenchers and the country.

Mr Miliband insisted the Prime Minister must not ignore the vote and use his powers to bypass Parliament.

Humiliated Mr Cameron replied: “I strongly believe in the need for a tough response to the use of chemical weapons, but I also believe in respecting the will of this House of Commons.”