Find me one person in this country who is NOT deeply uncomfortable with what is happening in Syria!

The issue is how best to respond. It is clear that the vast majority of the British public and MPs ‘get it’. The use of punitive military action against the Assad regime risks making a disastrous situation even worse.

The crass naivety of Kris Hopkins and Julian Smith is breathtaking since they appear to have done no research into the background of this truly appalling situation.

There is, as yet, no concrete evidence but only assertions that Assad’s regime is guilty. Anyone with any sense can see the situation is extremely complex and could possibly involve the rebels or others being responsible. How can the West consider the use of military action given the contradictory evidence?

Even limited violence would surely contribute to more innocent people dying; not something Mr Hopkins would be comfortable with I’m sure! If it is eventually proven to be the regime what then? Any action would involve innocents being killed and possible further use of chemical weapons!

My contention is that our national interest is best served by following our democratically, chosen path and seriously engaging with Russia, Iran and the Assad regime to bring this bloodshed to an end; everyone knows there can only be a political solution to the civil war in Syria.

The British people know this, they have done their research and they now know the complex and disturbing realities which underpin politics in the Middle East. It is surely time our two local MPs applied the same common sense to the issue as the majority of the British public and Parliament.

Martin Green North Road, Sutton