Commons craves more war

Louise Nousratpour
Thursday September 09, 2010
The Morning Star

In an unprecedented Commons vote the government rubber-stamped continued war in Afghanistan even as bereaved military families published an open letter demanding Britain's immediate withdrawal.

In a sparsely attended debate that lasted much of the afternoon MPs voted on a motion put forward by the newly established backbench business committee stating: "This house supports the continued deployment of UK armed forces in Afghanistan."

There have been many ministerial statements and Parliament discussions since the invasion in November 2001, but this was the first time a motion was presented to MPs. Even the decision to join the US-led war was taken without a Commons vote.

Green Party leader Caroline Lucas MP expressed outrage after her amendment arguing for the "swift withdrawal of troops" was not selected for debate by the deputy Commons leader.

"Even though more names were supporting it than two other amendments, my amendment wasn't selected," she told the Star.

Labour MP John McDonnell, who supported Ms Lucas's amendment, said: "The failure to introduce the possibility of peace talks to solve the criminal impasse in Afghanistan confirms this government's addiction to military excess, whatever the cost."

Fellow Labour MP Paul Flynn, who opposed the war, accused ministers and military officers of being "in denial" about it.

"The majority of the public would like to see the troops home before Christmas, and Parliament is not reflecting that," he added.

The latest opinion poll found that 72 per cent of the public believe troops should be withdrawn.

Defence Secretary Liam Fox repeated the government's mantra that a withdrawal now would unleash the terror of "jihadists everywhere" and threaten "our national security"

He also told MPs that "our influence in the region would be severely deminished" if Britain pulled out now.

As Mr Fox sought to justify the continued slaughter in Afghanistan, military families published their letter calling for an immediate withdrawal from the "unwinnable" war.

"This war is not making the world a safer place and not helping the Afghan people. Wounded troops are not being given proper treatment," it read.

"The casualty rate is going up on both sides."

Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German has dismissed Commons debate as an attempt by the government to place a democratic fig leaf over the conflict.

She added that a cross-party group of MPs, called Troops Out of Afghanistan, had been set up to bolster the anti-war argument.