I will be voting in favour of the Government resolution tonight in support of our armed forces taking part in the enforcement of the United Nations resolution 1973.

The full resolution is as follows:

That this House welcomes United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1973; deplores the ongoing use of violence by the Libyan regime; acknowledges the demonstrable need, regional support and clear legal basis for urgent action to protect the people of Libya; accordingly supports Her Majesty’s Government, working with others, in the taking of all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack in Libya and to enforce the No Fly Zone, including the use of UK armed forces and military assets in accordance with UNSC Resolution 1973; and offers its wholehearted support to the men and women of Her Majesty’s armed forces.

Voting in favour of putting our brave armed forces in arms way is one of the most difficult issues that a Member of Parliament has to face. I know from speaking to colleagues that many have thought long and hard before deciding to vote in favour of this resolution. I will post the result of the vote once it is known later in the day.

UPDATE The vote was carried by by 557 to 13.