Army deaths pile on the pressure

The Mole: So far there has been no great ‘troops out’ movement, but that could change, says our Westminster insider

FIRST POSTED JULY 6, 2009

Gordon Brown is facing tough questions over Britain's role in Afghanistan after three more British soldiers were killed over the weekend in one of the biggest operations yet launched against the Taliban. Their deaths followed those of Lt Col Rupert Thorneloe and Trooper Joshua Hammond last Wednesday and bring the total British troop fatalities since the start of operations in October 2001 to 174.

With the scale of the current Operation Panther's Claw, that tally could rise. And with the escalating death toll there will be renewed demands from the military for a major increase in troop numbers, and the faster delivery of better quality kit.

The Ministry of Defence has previously called for a massive increase of 2,000 troops but the Prime Minister has so far rejected the demands, agreeing only to 700 extra troops on a temporary basis, bringing the total in Afghanistan to 9,000.

At the same time, there have been growing demands for a speeding up of the delivery of kit, particularly replacements for the much-criticised Viking vehicles which offer little protection against roadside bombs used by the Taliban. US Marines, currently involved in their own 4,000-strong Operation Khanjar further south in the Helmand River valley, have better protected Mastiff armoured patrol vehicles.

With every British death, the demands for a fresh approach will increase. The scale of the casualties being suffered by British troops is graphically underlined every Wednesday when the Prime Minister opens his Question Time session listing those killed since the previous week.

Ministers continue to argue that the Operation in Afghanistan is the frontline battle against terrorism. But polls suggest voters are not sure why Britain is in the country at all, and have real doubts that this war is winnable. So far there has been no great 'troops out' movement as there was with the Iraq war, but that may not last.

FIRST POSTED JULY 6, 2009

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I PROPOSE AN EARLY DAY MOTION THAT WOULD ALLOW ANY MP TO LEAVE PARLIMENT FOR ONE YEAR TO; AFTER TRAINING, JOIN THE TROOPS ON THE FRONT LINE IN AFGHANISTAN. THE MPs SEAT WOULD BE HELD OPEN FOR HIM T0 RETURN TO AFTER 12 MONTHS SERVICE AND ONE CAN IMAGINE THE EXCITED CHATTER ON THEIR RETURN IN THE TEA ROOMS OF WESTMINISTER AS THEY RECALL THEIR DARING DEEDS. THE ONLY RESTRICTION I WOULD MAKE IS THAT THERE WOULD NEED TO BE A LIMIT OF NO MORE THAN 100 MPs ON THE FRONT LINE AT ANY ONE TIME.

Posted by DEREK HANLIN at 11:09am on July 6, 2009

I would like to inform readers that Canada has now lost 122 soldiers in Afghanistan. With half the population of he UK, our contibution and sacrifice is substantial. Perhaps The First Post should have a Canadian correspondent to keep readers informed that we are there in the thick of it as always. If anyone has an argument against that they could read modern history starting at Vimy Ridge. It seems the only thing of late printed here about Canada has been fluff and gossip about dear Belinda Stronach and her white knight father riding to the rescue of the British auto industry. Nothing substantial at all. This is not the sleepy colony Brits seem to think it is.

Posted by Michael Grisdale at 4:18pm on July 6, 2009

DerekH - I'll second that, I'd even propose an amendment to double their pay, in sure & certain knowledge that it wouldn't get beyond a rousing chorus of "OBJECT!!!" from both sides. I recall the old agitprop suggestion "let the first roops in any war, intervention, armed incursion be the old bastards who voted, demanded, lobbied for the action..". Problem solved methinks. It would have two results, both highly desirable - general peace might break out OR a significant reduction of the old seat warmers & bed blockers in government. WIN-WIN as far as I can see.

Posted by allan kessing at 11:20pm on July 12, 2009

I would like (as a Brit) to support Derek Hanlin's comment about the Canadian troops. Brave soldiers from a country which knows how to honour its fallen. Vimy Ridge and then some: Their sacrifices in WWI and WWII are exemplary and they are truly courageous. Proof, if any were needed, that an EU army or foreign policy would be just so much hot air. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, the power of the English-speaking peoples when they come together will defy, in time, any adversary. I am proud to be associated with the Canadians through the Commonwealth. Bring it on, Canada!

Posted by A. Headhunter at 12:23am on July 15, 2009