REBEL south Essex Tories helped stop the UK taking any military action against Syria.

Conservative MPs David Amess, for Southend West and  John Baron, for Basildon and Billericay all helped vote down the Government’s call to back the possibility of a military response to alleged use of chemical weapons by the Middle Eastern state.

Fellow Tories Mark Francois, who is a defence minister as well as MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, and James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, backed their party leader as did Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price and Basildon and East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe but Prime Minister David Cameron’s motion, but it was defeated 285-272.

All remained silent during a seven-hour debate in the House of Commons late into Thursday evening except Mr Baron, who rose to speak against the Government six times, despite assurances it would seek the backing of MPs and the UN before any action took place.

Calling for more aid and diplomatic efforts, the rebel said: “The decision to commit to military intervention and potentially to commit soldiers to war is one of the most serious the House can make, if the not the most serious.

“We need to base such a decision on firm evidence and not on speculation.”

In total 30 Conservatives and nine Lib Dems voted against the Coalition to help defeat the motion.

Mr Cameron ruled out using his power to authorise military action without the backing of Parliament straight after the vote.