I DO like Andy Newman, his heart is in the right place, and I do sympathise with his anti-war argument.

I think most people are anti-war. Unfortunately a significant number of people in the big world out there are not.

They have a different view on violence; some of these people are in power in countries where Andy and his supporters would not have the right to express their views.

In this country you have that right, but there is a cost; the cost, you must be prepared to defend that right.

I have to ask him and all of the other anti Iraq war protesters, to imagine that time just before the war started. And in this imaginary world they are Prime Minster of the UK. Here is the information you have:

1. Dr Hans Blix, UN search team leader, says he believes that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction.

2. Dr Hans Blix and the UN search team find six Scud missiles hidden from them.

3. Dr Hans Blix's team finds, hidden away, 23 empty chemical shells as used against Iran.

4. Dr Kelly, a UK weapons expert, says he believes that Saddam Hussein has WMDs.

5. The head of intelligence tells you that Saddam Hussein has purchased several hundred chemical suits for front line soldiers.

6. The head of intelligence tells you that in the past Saddam Hussein purchased tonnes of chemicals used to manufacture chemical WMDs.

7. Dr Hans Blix and the team say they cannot find any physical or documentary evidence to prove that these chemicals have been destroyed; nor are they getting help from the Iraqis.

8. The head of intelligence reminds you that Saddam Hussein is known to have used chemical WMDs, not only against people of Iran, but also against his own people.

9. Saddam has consistently ignored numerous UN requests for openness.

These are a few of the facts known at the time, you now have to decide, war or no war.

A question you must ask yourself, "What if he attacks the UK or other friendly countries such as Kuwait, and you knew this information?"

I think the decision is very hard to make, but the decision is yours, and yours alone.

If you decide not to go to war, which then puts innocent people at risk; you know why you are not Prime Minister of the UK today. If it were easy, anyone could do it.

M Spry

Nythe, Swindon