After meeting with the Prime Minister, Martin remained unconvinced by the arguments forwarded for British military intervention in Syria and voted against the government.
Martin explained his decision to vote against the government in an article he wrote for the Grimsby Telegraph - the text of which is shown below:
Are We Sure of Our Case? What is in Britain’s best interests?
The escalation of violence in Syria in recent weeks has seen both casualties and the flow of refugees into neighbouring territories rise. Families torn apart, communities changed forever; with such devastation as a backdrop, one might ask: why has decisive intervention not yet been forthcoming?
Even until a few weeks ago the Obama administration seemed reluctant to become involved in another Middle-Eastern intervention. However, the President’s earlier declaration of a “red line in the sand” over the use of chemical weapons has meant that even though all recent estimates of casualties show more have been killed by conventional means, the apparent use of chemical weapons has pushed the West to respond. Did Assad approve their use or was it one of the rebel factions? There seems no certainty.
Amidst the condemnation of Assad’s dictatorial regime which followed, one could easily assume any opponent to him a desirable success and worthy of Western support. However, in this we must be careful. By siding with the Syrian opposition groups we could be seen as effectively endorsing one form of Islam over another. Britain would yet again be involving herself in a regional religious struggle in which we have limited expertise, and a proven record of poor decisions.
In both the reports of chemical weapon use and interference in this struggle, our recent involvement in Iraq gives us reason to be cautious. Although deposing a dictator, Saddam, the power struggles bequeathed in the wake of our intervention means ongoing bloodshed for innocent Iraqis - intervention based on poor intelligence relating to the use of Weapons of Mass Desruction.
I am writing this article on Wednesday; on Thursday Parliament will hear from the Government who will put their case. I’ve no doubt the motion MPs are asked to vote on will be one that of itself looks harmless and that, in isolation, anyone could support but the reality is that it relates to the present circumstances in Syria. I have no doubts that the overwhelming majority of my constituents are opposed and unless I hear something dramatic on Thursday I will be withholding my support.