WHAT an irony that while Rev Andrew Ashdown was speaking about the people and hidden voices in Syria, the Tory MPs in parliament defeated the Dubs Amendment which would have allowed 3,000 vulnerable, unaccompanied child refugees to come to the UK.

On one hand, seeing this amazing country, its rich history and the tragic situation of the current time, on the other sentencing these children to limbo, risk, and criminal gangs.

Rev Ashdown brought out the humanity, that these are ordinary people, who want to live without fear, just like all of us, people whose voices are not heard, are not seen.

The Middle East is complex, nuanced, and problematical, and Rev Ashdown did a wonderful job unpicking the history of the people and the region.

Listening to him was a humbling and uplifting experience, that these people retain their joy, hope and humanity in the face of such huge adversity.

I was struck that I am very fortunate to have no idea what it would take for me to send my children to the next town on their own, never mind another country or continent.

What horrors and risk must there be in your everyday life for it to be better to send them away?

To be honest, I held my three year old tight and cried.

Shame on you Kit Malthouse, who is meant to be my representative in Westminster, who I asked to support the amendment, and who chose to condemn those 3,000 children to a terrifying and uncertain future.

What would you want for them if they were your children?

Katherine Bird, Colenzo Drive, Andover