George Osborne’s statement that “the tragedy of Syria taught us the price of not intervening” says much about his intellectual prowess. Why did it take him six years to reach such a known conclusion? The British government of which Osborne was a key player has failed to forge a comprehensive strategy that includes political, social, diplomatic, economic and humanitarian solutions especially after the terrorist outrages in Paris, Brussels, Nice, Tunisia and elsewhere.

And before Osborne sheds his crocodile tears for the merciless tragedy in Aleppo, wouldn’t it be wiser for him to ponder the staggering number of British families struggling to meet their daily needs, relying on food banks, enduring harsh winters and most importantly, gripped by the benefits cuts he himself championed?

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London, NW2

We can solve homelessness by taking over rich, empty apartments

Stroll through central London – or most towns and cities – late at night or early in the morning. Look down and you will see many people who, because of bad luck, are homeless and sleeping on the streets. Look up and you will see large blocks of empty apartments owned by people who, because of good luck, can afford them. This huge discrepancy largely results from deliberate government policies to cut social security benefits while encouraging free markets in property solely as an investment vehicle.

In view of the radical increase in homeless figures – and the proclaimed government concern, even though apparently many of the public do not care (ComRes Independent Report, 10 December) – why not try out a quick radical policy? Immediately allow the homeless to live in those empty apartments. That, I am sure, would quickly stimulate the government and its wealthy backers to find money to build social housing for the homeless – and, indeed, for those suffering life in grim and expensive private rentals.

Peter Cave

London W1

Keir Starmer deserves more praise

Keir Starmer’s speech on Brexit at Bloomberg yesterday did not excite the media because it did not offer sound bites. Instead he gave an exceptionally well thought-through account of the problems the UK faces in Brexit and the need to work together. Every Labour MP must read it word for word before making any pronouncement on Brexit. Ideally every MP should. Ideally the media should give the in-depth analysis that he did.

Jon Hawksley

London

We need to take action on our railways

It’s perfectly obvious that rail privatisation and nationalisation have, over decades, both failed.

In retail, one business model that has clearly worked very successfully for staff and customers alike is the John Lewis and Waitrose “partnership” system. All staff (partners) feel involved in the business, and share in its growth and financial rewards. One has only to see the attitude of the partners to know they are committed to delivering what their customers want. If only that could be said about the management and staff operating our railways.

Kim Thonger

Northants

Brexit has no right to strip me of my European citizenship

Having just read Zlata Rodionova’s piece on the current dilemma faced by EU citizens resident in the UK, I would like to add that us British-born EU citizens have a parallel problem. We face losing our much-cherished EU citizenship, and a lot of us are also very unhappy.

Now in my 60s I grew up as a “Subject of the Crown” and it was only when the UK joined the EU that I was actually granted “citizenship”. It is hard to overstate this point, or how important the benefits and even just the meaning of citizenship are to me. To take away my citizenship is to take away my human individuality – I would revert back to being a “Subject”, an object or thing.

Even worse is when you consider the plight of my children. Born into Europe they have always been European citizens, and should have every right to remain so. I would seriously question whether a national government can even remove the rights of citizenship conferred by a superior authority. In other words, our EU citizenship is given by Europe, and should only be taken from us by Europe.

Mark Smitheman

Worthing

Why do we never learn when it comes to revolutions?

It is left to Robert Fisk, once again, to be clear-sighted about the Middle East. How long will it take the West, including our government, to realise that, when there is an uprising in the Middle East against a dictator, there isn’t a liberal parliamentary democracy waiting in the wings?