MPs seeking a second Syria vote option are “playing a cynical game” says Claire Perry

Tory MP Claire Perry has accused MPs still demanding a House of Commons vote on the UK taking military action against Syria as “playing a cynical game”.

And she has revealed the reasons why she supported the Government motion moved by Prime Minister David Cameron last week seeking support in principle in action to halt Syria’s use of chemical weapons.

Yet the claim had been made that Mrs Perry was unable to comment on the outcome of the Commons debate because 49-year-old MP for Devizes was the parliamentary political secretary to Defence Secretary Philip Hammond.

Sophie Bolsover, Mrs Perry’s new political adviser, told Marlborough News Online: “I’ve spoken with Claire and due to her duty as PPS to Mr Hammond, she is not able to comment in detail on Syria and so will not be offering any further comments.”

But in her local newspaper weekly newspaper column today (Friday) Mrs Perry does indeed comment.

“It was right that Parliament was recalled to discuss the Syrian crisis and I know from my mailbox how seriously this issue is taken locally,” she declares.

“The decision was whether to approve a response to the use of chemical weapons that may have included limited, proportionate and legal military action, with the caveat that any suction would be put to a second vote.”

Then she adds: “As I believe that those countries that lead the international community must clearly respond to the ‘red lie’ that was breached with the use of chemical weapons, I vote for the government’s motion.

“However, given that this was not passed, I thought that the Prime Minister was right to say that the country has spoken and to rule out a second vote.

“Those who are calling for another vote, having abstained or vote no, are playing a cynical game of politics on an issue of crucial importance and sadly many of the members involved also found it in themselves to cheer as the result was announced – even while reports were coming in of an incendiary bomb being dropped by the Assad regime onto a school.

“A good day for democracy but a sad one for politics.”

Meanwhile, there is no mention of the Syria situation on Mrs Perry’s own website, which offers news of her activities to her supporters and to members of the public.

The latest story under “News” is dated July 30 and is about problems with the NHS 111 system, and former links to reports abut her appearing in the local media, including Marlborough News Online, have apparently been removed.