Chloe Smith: Statement on Syria

Like everyone, I have been shocked by the reports and pictures emerging from Syria in the recent days and weeks. The conflict is having a devastating effect on innocent men, women and children, thousands of whom have fled their homes in fear of their lives. This is a truly human tragedy.

On 21^st August, the conflict took a far more dangerous turn when chemical weapons appear to have been deployed in a suburb of Damascus.

As you know, Parliament has been recalled tomorrow to debate the possibility of intervention. It is right that Parliament is allowed its say on matters of such grave importance. As yet, no decision has been made on whether to intervene. At the time of writing I do not know the precise Motion on which we will debate tomorrow.

A decision to deploy the British military to a foreign conflict is one that I take extremely seriously. I am listening to all the evidence available on all sides of the argument.

The use of chemical weapons is rightly banned under any circumstances under international law. Because of this, the United Nations Security Council met on the evening of 21^st August. There was widespread support for the UN team of inspectors already present in another part of the Syrian capital, to investigate the sites.

The Syrian Government refused the inspectors access until 25 August. The Foreign Secretary has warned that evidence could have been tampered with, degraded or destroyed in the days since the attack. In fact, artillery strikes on the area, by Syrian Government forces, have continued since the attack. On 26 August, the convoy of UN inspectors were fired upon by unknown snipers. They had to return in order to change a vehicle, but reached the site on the same day.

The UK Government is not alone in its concern and has remained in close contact with our international partners, including the US and France. There is agreement that a strong response is required to make sure Assad is held to account.

Today, the Government announced that the UK had drafted a resolution condemning the attack by the Assad regime, and authorising all necessary measures under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter to protect civilians from chemical weapons.  As I am writing this, the developments are moving swiftly, and so I do not yet know of the outcome of the draft resolution.

However, my view is that Assad must not be allowed to continue killing innocent people.

Any action in response to the chemical weapons attack in Syria would have to be legal, proportionate and specifically to deter their future use. I don’t believe this is about regime change or a ground invasion. It is about ensuring that Assad cannot continue to use weapons of mass destruction against his own people.

I know that my one vote can never reflect the wishes of everyone in my constituency and that there is a tremendous strength of feeling on all sides of the argument. I am closely scrutinising all developments and evidence presented before carefully taking the vote tomorrow according to the Motion which is presented.