A humbled PM may yet emerge stronger

DAVID Cameron has paid a heavy price for his lamentable misjudgment of the mood of Parliament and the public and his unrealistic assessment of modern Britain’s role on the world stage. He has earned himself the unwelcome distinction of becoming the first Prime Minister since 1782 to be overruled by MPs on a matter of war and peace – and the first in history to suffer defeat in any debate for which Parliament has been specially recalled.

So, yes, this is a crushing moment for Mr Cameron’s pride and authority. But while this unprecedented humiliation has exposed many of the Prime Minister’s worst qualities – his arrogant tendency to take his supporters for granted, his failure to do his homework and the truly jaw-dropping incompetence of many he has chosen to surround him – it has also brought out some of his best. Nobody who heard him in the Commons can doubt the passionate honesty of the conviction that drove him to urge military action against Syria, born of the revulsion shared by all decent people over the suffering inflicted by chemical weapons.

He was also scrupulously straightforward in his dealings with Ed Miliband, doing everything he could to establish the united front he knew would be so vital on a matter of this gravity.

And when the devastating blow fell, he was honourable again in defeat, yielding unhesitatingly with the words: ‘It is clear the British Parliament does not want to see British military action. I get that and the Government will act accordingly.’ What a contrast to the Labour leader, who repaid Mr Cameron’s straight-dealing with a display of wriggling political opportunism that should fill the nation with distaste. A more honest man would have stated from the outset his opposition to an attack (though after Thursday’s contortions, who can tell where he really stands?)

Instead, Mr Miliband hinted at first that he would support Mr Cameron’s call for action. Then, quaking with fear of humiliation by his backbenchers, he demanded a series of concessions.

Finally, following an abysmal speech and even after the Prime Minister had agreed everything he asked – meaning a waffling motion that brought the proceedings close to farce – the Opposition leader reneged on his word. How contemptible that he now seeks to make political capital out of the vote, presenting it as a personal triumph. But what matters most is that Parliament has made the right decision for Britain.

Tragically, it is unlikely to avert the suffering we fear will flow from Western intervention in Syria, since the US and France appear determined to press ahead without us – possibly as early as today.

But as for the claim that the vote will destroy our standing in the world and the Special Relationship, this is surely melodramatic claptrap. On this one issue, the Commons has chosen to differ from the White House. As Barack Obama well understands, this is what can happen under the democracy in which we all believe.

Despite America’s pointed reference to France as its ‘ oldest ally’, there is no reason to suppose our intelligencesharing or any other mutual benefits will suffer. And far from withdrawing from the world, we remain fully active in every body from Nato to the UN and G8. Where Mr Cameron’s future is concerned, yes, he has been humbled. But the damage is far from terminal. Indeed, a little humility may yet make him a better and stronger Prime Minister, if it teaches him to listen.

What is clear is that he still stands head and shoulders above any Tory contender for his job. And as for the Labour alternative… enough said.