[An edited version of this text also appeared in the Montreal Gazette]

I have an ask of my fellow progressives: get behind David Cameron.

At the end of the debate and vote in the British parliament tonight (which expressed opposition to the government’s desire to intervene militarily in Syria), Prime Minister David Cameron said the following:

“It is very clear tonight that, while the House has not passed a motion, 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.”

He is going to act according to the will of Parliament, even if it is against his personal choice. By contrast, our own Prime Minister Harper governs only for those who voted for him, and barely at that (witness his back-benchers’ resignations)

Despite his stance *for* military action in Syria, we must stand up and commend, applaud and support David Cameron, for respecting his country’s democratic institutions, and the desire of the people of the UK.

We must support this behaviour from our politicians, because the alternatives are other Harpers in the future.

A Parliamentary Democracy works real well when it is respected. Our Prime Minister Harper has had nothing but disdain and contempt for our Parliament.

Tonight: Kudos to Cameron.