THE HOUSE of Commons on Tuesday night had an atmosphere of grave seriousness of the like not often felt according to the Vale's two Tory MP's.

Both Mid Worcestershire MP Peter Luff and West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer voted with the government to go to war.

Peter Luff said: "Tony Blair made his best speech in the House since his 11 years as leader and certainly swayed many MP's.

"Members understood the seriousness of its purpose in a way you did not often sense. The House of Commons became the centre of the nation's interest and the expression of its concern."

He said he was glad the vote went as it did. He added: "We are faced with a choice between the lesser of two evils. I take the judgement that the long term interests of peace throughout the world is the most important."

He said he believed the majority of his constituents were behind the action according to his heavy post bag, and that everyone would rally around the troops.

Sir Michael Spicer said: "I firmly believe that Saddam must be stopped in his tracks. This is what the United Nations has determined over many votes over the past years. Unless we do this, we shall reach a situation such as exists in North Korea where a dictatorship with nuclear arms can hold the rest of the world to ransom"

Describing the Commons scene during the debate, Sir Michael said it was Parliament at its best, with the arguments on both sides being listened to, and other opinions respected. The vote was not an absolute certainty and Members were using their conscience and intelligence on highly important issues.

Mother of two from Evesham, Kate Holcombe, who set up a peace camp at the RAF Fairford airbase, holds the view of very many in the country who are against war. Ms Holcombe said the atmosphere at the camp after Tuesday's vote was one of resolve, and said the camp would stay at its current base in the village of Kempsford for an indefinite period.

"We weren't surprised by the vote and we're not feeling defeated," she said. "It's just standard Government propaganda. MPs are like the rest of us and if they don't educate themselves on the reasons for war, they're not going to get the right information and they're bound to back Tony Blair.

"None of us think Saddam Hussein is in any way a reasonable human being but bombing the human population of Iraq is not the way to go about it. We object to them starting war from British soil," Ms Holcome said.

The 42-year-old, who was married to a soldier, quit her weekend job teaching children information technology and has taken time off from her day job as a personal assistant to stay at the camp.

RAF Fairford has been the focus for many protestors because of its ability to launch an attack on the Middle East direct from the airfield.

About 20 people took part in the first demonstration at RAF Fairford but 2,000 are expected at protests this weekend.