The situation is Syria is now of the upmost seriousness. This is already the worst humanitarian crisis since the Rwandan genocide. The government has recognised this by committing £348 million in aid for the victims - more than in any previous such crisis.
I understand the concerns of constituents who have contacted me and are very wary of Britain becoming involved in a civil war. Equally, it is not our job to get involved in regime change.
However, the undoubted use of chemical weapons puts us into a completely different situation. The use of such weapons has been illegal for nearly 100 years. As well being an act of appalling barbarity, this is arguably the most serious and blatant breach of international law this century. The international community cannot let the perpetrators go unpunished.
It would, of course, be best if such action had the support of the United Nations, and our government is absolutely right to have put down a motion to this effect in the Security Council.
However, we have to face the real possibility that this will be cynically vetoed by Russia and possibly China, despite overwhelming evidence to support it. In that event, I believe that there is still an obligation upon any genuine democracy with the means to do so to act to uphold international law, human rights and to prevent a recurrence.
The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, has set this case out very clearly in the statement that he issued today – [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10268360/William-Hague-this-is-a-moment-for-democratic-nations-to-live-up-to-their-values.html] - and I agree with him.
Any kind of military action cannot be undertaken lightly, and the Prime Minister was right to recall Parliament tomorrow. I shall be present for the debate and any vote.
I am very clear that any action must be lawful and proportionate and for clear and limited objectives. I shall look carefully at the wording of the motion that is put to the House and the evidence and legal reasoning that the Government puts forward.
I am also very conscious of the risks of making the situation in a very volatile region worse than it already is. I promise you that I take this responsibility very seriously. From the conversations that I have had at Westminster today, I am convinced that the Government does too. It is important to recognise that this is a different case to the one in Iraq and I believe it is being much more carefully handled.
Ultimately, the use of chemical weapons is, and should be, a "red line" for the international community. If peaceful means fail, and provided a clear case is set out, the rule of law, and sheer humanity, may require us, albeit with heavy hearts, to take direct action.