Readers' letters - April 18

Military strikes are not the solution to Syrian conflict
Military strikes are not the solution to the Syrian conflict says a correspondentMilitary strikes are not the solution to the Syrian conflict says a correspondent
Military strikes are not the solution to the Syrian conflict says a correspondent

There can be no justification for chemical weapons attacks or despicable bombing which target civilians, as in Douma, but further military intervention is not the solution and can only extend the appalling suffering of the Syrian people.

It also risks spreading the war across the Middle East with the frightening possibility of direct confrontation between nuclear armed powers.

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Some argue, wrongly, these attacks are a price of not intervening.

In fact, foreign military intervention from all sides, including our own government, has only served to deepen and prolong the war in Syria.

We must not back the gung-ho foreign policy of the most inflammatory and xenophobic US president in history – the British Government should be seeking political and diplomatic solutions to the tragic situation in Syria, and avoid anything that could escalate the conflict in the region.

Only 22 per cent of respondents to a YouGov poll said they would support strikes on Syria, while military intervention could escalate rapidly.

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Those beating the war drums need to step back and let the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) do their job.

The PM must call a vote in parliament before further action.

Lobby and contact all

our MPs, even take to the street and start a movement, like the anti- poll tax days.

Royston Jones

via email

Rainbow Trust helped my family

To some, Siblings Day on April 10 may have seemed trivial.

But for families caring for a seriously ill child, it can be an important reminder of the bond between brothers and sisters.

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The last few years have been indescribably tough for my family after my eight-year-old son Adam was diagnosed with a brain tumour and spinal cancer.

Whilst it was horrendous trying to help him through all the treatment, one of my biggest worries was the effect Adam’s illness would have on my 12-year-old daughter Megan.

I watched as Megan become more and more distant, witnessing her brother in pain and trying to cope with the situation.

That’s when Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity stepped in and we met our sibling support worker, Callie. As soon as she became part of Megan’s life, I saw my little girl again. She had someone to share her worries and fears with about Adam.

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We are now in a much stronger place and Adam, now aged 10, and Megan, 14, are closer than ever, which I know is thanks to Rainbow Trust.

So to mark Siblings Day, may I urge your readers to support this incredible charity by visiting rainbowtrust.org.uk

Clare Finch

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity

Town’s jewel

in the crown

Re: Twitchers’ delight as willow tits are spotted.

It’s not just Wigan Flashes, the whole of the Wigan area is a huge stronghold for the species.

I have photographed them an awful lot.

I even have them visit my garden. They are a beautiful little bird.

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The sad thing is, the Wigan Flashes and other nature reserves look sadly more like plastic dumps each day.

But they are still Wigan’s jewel in the crown and should be given much more protection from development.

Matthew Wilkes

via Wigan Post Facebook

No deal would be a worse outcome

Someone should point out to those people campaigning for a vote on the terms of Brexit that, even if they were successful and the electorate turned the deal down (assuming they were given the chance, which is unlikely), Britain would leave the EU anyway (in compliance with the original referendum) in a year’s time but without a deal. All the campaigning in the world will not stop the Brexit clock ticking.

Leaving without a deal would be a far worse outcome than any negotiated settlement. Is this what those promoting a so-called People’s Vote really want? The same goes for any Parliamentary vote on the subject, of course.

It’s all just a waste of time. Time which could be spent doing something much more useful than continually trying to frustrate the will of the British people.

Hugh Rogers

Address supplied