The Spectator

Portrait of the week | 5 September 2013

issue 07 September 2013

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Having recalled Parliament to debate British military action over Syria, David Cameron, the Prime Minister, found the government defeated, much to his surprise, by 285-272, thanks to 30 Conservatives and nine Liberal Democrats voting with the opposition. He immediately told the Commons: ‘It is clear to me that the British Parliament, reflecting the views of the British people, does not want to see British military action. I get that and the government will act accordingly.’ Next day, Lord Ashdown, the former leader of the Lib Dems, tweeted: ‘In 50 years trying to serve my country I have never felt so depressed/ashamed.’ Nick Clegg, the Lib Dem leader and Deputy Prime Minister said: ‘We’re not going to keep asking the same question of Parliament again and again.’

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development revised its forecast for growth in the British economy this year from 0.8

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