i Editor's Letter: Make certain it's the right decision, Mr. Cameron
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
This afternoon brings some of the defining hours of David Cameron’s premiership. The British public is against strikes on Syria by a majority of two to one, polling suggests – yet the Prime Minister will ask a reluctant Parliament to back him in attacking Damascus. Many of you are unconvinced about the case for bombing, hardly surprising when warships are in position before the wider world has been shown a shred of evidence that the Assad regime was behind last Wednesday’s chemical slaughter. Mr Cameron must carry Parliament and the public with him; he has not. Likelihood is not proof.
Future deaths will weigh heavy on our consciences if we fail to respond to the use of chemical weapons on civilians now. The Foreign Secretary yesterday articulated fear of “the creeping normalisation of the use of weapons that the world has spent decades trying to control and eradicate”.
But air strikes by the US and Britain will be misinterpreted around the Middle East, twisted by our enemies to inspire hate. Unknowable consequences await.
A huge number of MPs say they are torn and have yet to make up their mind how they will vote tonight. There is no blank cheque for the Prime Minister. Downing Street will be hit by rebel MPs from the Government’s benches. Ed Miliband has whipped the rug from beneath Mr Cameron, demanding not only that he put the planned strikes to the UN Security Council but also that the weapons inspectors be allowed to finish their investigation and report back.
I do not believe that Assad should be allowed to use chemical weapons with impunity. But bombing an Arab country without the figleaf of broad international legitimacy is dangerous. Over to you, Prime Minister.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments