Morning:
14°c
Gordon Brown was today urged to appoint a new Cabinet minister over the head of the Defence Secretary and replace the head of the armed forces to strengthen the war leadership in Afghanistan.
The call comes from David Owen, a former foreign secretary, who said there were serious weaknesses in the conduct of the war. In a hard-hitting article for today's Evening Standard he warns: “It is becoming ever clearer that we need a fundamental re-think of our position in Afghanistan.”
His comments come as British soldiers were preparing for a private memorial service at the main British Army base in Helmand province, Camp Bastion. The ceremony will honour eight British soldiers killed in 24 hours. Among them was Rifleman Daniel Simpson from Croydon.
Lord Owen said it was “unprecedented and deplorable” that newly appointed Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth was only twenty-first in the Cabinet pecking order. He said the Prime Minister should recall heavyweight Lord Robertson to oversee not only defence but foreign and aid policy to the region.
“It would do a lot to restore confidence if he could persuade a senior and greatly respected former defence secretary and Nato secretary-general, George Robertson, to come back into government with the authority to oversee government policy on foreign, defence and overseas aid in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” he said. He warned there was also “an urgent need to address the military leadership”.
Sir Jock Stirrup, the Chief of the Defence Staff, could be replaced immediately by General Sir David Richards, who has fought in Afghanistan. Sir Jock, whose career was spent in the RAF, is due to retire next year and Sir David is rumoured to be the favourite to succeed him.
“If that is Gordon Brown's intention, then he would be well advised to make that change immediately,” urges Lord Owen.
Lord Owen's call came as the Prime Minister tried to repair confidence in the war strategy. Unease has been increased by conflicting messages from Sir Jock and the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, who has asked for 2,000 more troops to reinforce the 9,000 already there.
Although a poll today found public support for the war holding steady, Mr Brown is concerned that the public does not fully understand the importance of the war to the British national interest. He has spoken of a “chain of terror” stretching from Afghanistan and Pakistan to the streets and Tube trains of London. The latest deaths brought the number of British losses since the campaign began in 2001 to 184 — surpassing the 179 who died in Iraq.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband insisted that British policy was “very clear”.
He denied claims that the mission was poorly manned and badly equipped, telling GMTV: “This is a mission that's been developed with a very clear strategy: above all, to make us safer here.”
But former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown said Britain and its allies had set “ludicrously over-ambitious targets” to create a democracy complete with Western-style gender equality and “set ourselves up for failure”.
The Defence Secretary was facing fire in the Commons this afternoon over the shortage of helicopters to transport troops more safely.
Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said “the root of the problem” was a cut in the helicopter budget in 2004 by £1.4 billion.
Reader views (34)
"Keith why don't you just call yourself The Labour Press Office? Your posts are getting beyond parody. If Brown was caught eating people you'd be here saying the Tories were making a fuss about nothing."- Kevin, I do hope that you are speaking of Mr Price of Luton, and not me!
Price is a hopeless nutter who, like the rest of Nuliebour's hard core, is in complete denial.
And to the man himslef; maybe Paddy Pantsdown does support Brown's Iraq policy, but htis discussion is about Afghanistan, plonker.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
Today's comment from shy union paid official- Keith Price, Luton, England sets new lows by even his "standards". What an icon of Labour deceit is His Master(Brown's Voice. Aka Keith Price, Unison.Toeing the party line. It's unpatriotic if the Tories hold the government to account and question actions. Sorry keith it's being part of a democracy. Like his idol Brown-no dissent if questioned throw a tantrum and mud in the hope that throw enough sli9me and some will stick. Disgusting examples of the professional politician. No doubt posting while being paid by the taxpayer.
- Disbeleiver, london
"As we make our bed, so must we lie in it." Its no longer a question of should we be involved in this war but moreso, can we succeed in achieving the objective of cutting the supply of terrorism flowing out of Pakistan and Afganistan.
History have shown that the Brits have been successful in engaging local help (be it intelligence or joint forces) when fighting on foreign soil. US led forces in both Vietnam and Iraq are lessons to be learnt where patronizing attitudes exhibited in the media as well as on ground levels do not auger well in their attempts to harness local support. Apart from fire power and manpower available we must also be able to propagate a common objective through engaging with local leaders on effective modus operandi like in any joint venture.
- Rolando, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
It would be as well to recognize that the government of the United Kingdom was subverted over twelve years ago by what is essentially a foreign power whose aims and priorities do not by any means coincide with those of the English nation as a whole. Hence uncontrolled immigration and other measures designed specifically to dilute the very notion of Englishness. Until this band of mendacious and meretricious Pictish backwoodsmen is sent packing back over the border into the mists from which they emerged there will be no improvement.
- Aylmer Bulstrode, La Gassoulie, France.
Kevin from Beckenham - your post about Keith from Luton is spot on. If you look at the "Sport" section of this site you'll see he also seems to support the whinging Aussie captain (Ponting). One day he's going to wake up - either that or the men in white coats will take him away!!
- Malcolm, London
The problem is Brown He wants to please everyone.So he makes rash promises to everyone.Then those below him have to put the record right without making him look stupid.He should never have been given the PM job.
- Dave Smith, Croydon
I am completely disgusted by this government: its lies, its contempt for our armed forces, its incompetence, its self-deluded grandeur. How long will Brown and his regime get away with it? How many more of our soldiers must die while these fools parade their contempt for the electorate? These unavailing deaths leave me feeling physically sick.
- J Miller, England
British troops should be returned immediately from Afghanistan to the UK.
Bliar and Brown and Jackboot Straw and Blunkett and Prescott should be arrested and charged with War Crimes.
The war in Afghanistan has NOTHING to do with making the UK a safer place. It is only about MONEY.
If you want to make the UK a safer place GET RID OF GORMLESS BROWN, JACKBOOT STRAW, MEDDLESUM AND OTHERS OF THAT ILK - THEY ARE THE BIGGEST DANGER TO DEMOCRACY.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK
Every spokesperson for our shambolic government has a different understanding of why our troops are in Afhanistan. Whatever the real reasons are, history shows us that the "great powers" like Britain and Russia have been fighting over Afghanistan for 150 years and have both failed to occupy or subdue this country. Thousands of lives have been lost and generations of Afghanis have never experienced peace in their land. Mr. Brown: When you're in a hole, stop digging : have the guts to admit this was a misconceived mission and withdraw.
- Pat, London
"Keith why don't you just call yourself The Labour Press Office? "
I don't vote Labour, so how can you say such a stupid thing, Kevin ? You are so ashamed to tell the trurg about the Ubama-Brown coalition, of which we should be as proud as they are in the USA
- Keith Price, Luton, England
Bob Ainsworth is an 'ex-trade union leftie' who was once a member of the (IMG) International Marxist Group who openly supported the aims of the IRA including the bombings in the UK and the killing of British service personnel. How can you expect a man of such little ability to be able to get the support of the PM and the Defence chiefs in tackling such a difficult issue. Gordon Brown has shown that he is incapable of handling more than one issue at a time for god's sake man go now and let someone else take charge.
- Nick Holland, glasgow
Bean Brown is making a fool of himself - and of our country - again, trying to be a Leader...
- Georgie, Islington, London
Paddy Ashdown has just said on BBC news, that our troops have all the equipment they need, saying there is a lack of same is a red herring,just support our boys,and cease trying to make political gain.
- Shirley, Finchley
I agree that there is in a sense a chain of terror stretching between the streets of London and Afghanistan. But it is one which starts specifically in Downing Street, with all its lies and ineptitude, and finds its end in the broken bodies of Britsh troops in Helmand.
- Andrew, London
I do not believe a majority of people support our involvement in Afghanistan as suggested by the Guardian.
I am sure the support is only for our troops but the poll I suggest is Government propoganda.
I urge another newspaper to conduct a poll to clarify the position.
- Jay, Southend
Keith why don't you just call yourself The Labour Press Office? Your posts are getting beyond parody. If Brown was caught eating people you'd be here saying the Tories were making a fuss about nothing.
- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent
The reason the people are generally supporting the war in Afghanistan is to back their their Troops whom they love. Not you Mr Brown. They gave up backing you a long time ago and view you as a disaster in everything you do and say particuarly as you brought back the one man the country detests - Mandleson.
- Albert Hall, hove england
The new labour spin machine repeatedly mouths " Their are 41 Countries involved in this coalition " only when you read the small print do you realize that very few of these countries are prepared to put their troops in harms way, I think its about 2
How can you say the helicopters will be there next year, that comment must make those in harms way feel so much better, " ere arry we only have to keep our heads down for another year and the choppers might turn up "
This bunch of champagne socialists should hang their heads in shame, Lions lead by Donkeys and Cowards springs to mind
- Steve M, London
Brown is out of place in everything he does. Those pictures of him visiting Afghanistan clothed in black is a sight for sore eyes.
For those seeking a troop withdrawal, why not and let this country go even more to the dogs with terrorism, new enforced religous beliefs and a public stoned out of their heads with heroin (drugs!).
And on the subject of dogs, seems our Mr Brown has not respect for animals in the first place! See Ann Widecombes (sorry for spelling!) comment in this weeks Sunday Times.
- Tony Islander, Herts
To Brown, Millipead (David) and 'I'm All Right Jack', Ainsworth the military are dross to be treated as they think fit for political purposes.
They don't care as otherwise would have seen that the Army was properly equiped.
- Gordonbay, London and Cape Town
Paddy Ashdown supports Gordon brown's position on Iraq completely. He said so today. It is the Tories and their press buddies trying to stir up discord where there is just allegiance with our allies in the USA
- Keith Price, Luton, England
Why are we sending our trained killers to Afganistan to kill the local people?
I remember Blair making a speech to the Taliban saying, "we have nothing against the Taliban. Expel Al Queda and close their traning camps and we will not invade you." No Al Queda in Afganistan why are we making war against these people? They are no threat to us.
- Des Egan, london UK
Bernard Parke: The NuLiebour hierarchy have spent the last 12 years trying to destroy this country. The interests and security of the British people has always taken a back seat to those of the Soviet Labour party and its favoured politically-correct pet projects, at home and abroad.
With that in mind there is absolutely no place for any of them in HM Forces, unless they were going to be used for target practice! That would be a fitting end to the most corrupt and mendacious government in British history, especially now that they have stopped the hanging of traitors.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
Perfect summary by "EZZA".
I have little time for the turncoat Owen. I can only remember a remark made in the past by an American politician "I hope he is a better Dr than he is as Foreign Secretary".
Afghanistan is a "no win" situation. The semi educated self serving M.P.'s have not studied history.Perhaps they should read "Flashman" on their long paid holidays.
Or better still all go out to Helmand Province and experience what it is like at the front. One MP in a bodybag might make them see sense.
- Mordwinoff, Lisle France.
Perhaps these people would feel differently about it if they actually had served in Her Majesty's Forces.
Perhaps we should bring back conscription.
- Bernard Parke, GUILDFORD
Hi. My name is Elcin. I think that it is waste of time and money and humen being in Afganistan. When we look to the past exactly in 1979 Russian and America fought to each other for no thing in Afganistan. There were killed many people and now when we looking to this country's life we can easy see taht no thing was gaind but was lost many thing and many people were killed there innocent people. Now it is UK turn to lost. Because Afganistan is the worst place in the word. I think that no thing would be gain from there. The place is stuated is the worst place in the word. Many country looking to this country Afganistan, irak as nothing. They want to take some benifit from this country. They don't want to think that many people living in this country.
- Elcin Rehim, Azerbayjan. Baku
On Sunday morning I watched another one of NuLiebour's unelected enobled ministers claiming that everything was fine and dandy in Afghanistan and that Gen Dannatt clearly didn't know what he was talking about. This was closely followed by Captain Darling with the same message, although he went further and effectively called Gen Dannat a liar.
Gordon Brown takes every unopposed opporunity he can get to repeat his mantra that we (must be the Royal "we", I don't remember anyone else being asked) are following the right strategy in Afghanistan, and with the right equipment and resource.
When pushed on the issue of helicopter availability, all of NuLiebour's spinmeisters will claim that more have been made available. However, this is patently untrue. More flying hours have been allocated to those already in theatre, which, given that htese aircraft are over 30 years old, will inevitably lead to accelerated failure rates, regardless of the skill and professionalism of those who maintain them.
HM Forces are the most obvious and visible reminder of our achievement, culture, heritage and history, all things that are despised by the Britain-hating traitors of NEULiebour. That is why our servicemen and women have been repeatedly failed by this stinking government, from Baghdad to Kabul, and why McBrown and his politburo cannot speak with any credibility on any issue concerning the deployment of our soldiers, sailors and airmen.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
"He denied claims that the mission was poorly manned and badly equipped."
David Miliband you are a disgrace to this nation how can you ask people to die for cause that has nothing to do with us and fail to properly equip the troops YOU are forcing to fight a war we can not win.
- Gary, Brentwood
Send Crash to the Front line and solve all sorts of problems.
- Marianne, SW France/London
The Evening Standard should put 'Ezza's' questions on the front page. And leave them there until Gordon Brown gives us believable answers.
- Jay, London, UK.
This war has nothing to do with keeping UK residents safe from terrorism, it is essentially a civil war for control of the poppy trade. We should not be there and we can't afford it either as NuLab has bankrupted us and left us with 5,000,000 unemployed/on the sick.
- Undercover Elephant, Dole Farm, Crays Hill, Essex
I think Gordon is showing his true colours here - as usual totally out of kilter with public opnion but self-delusionary - history will show what a loser he is - and arrogant at wasting our boys lives
- David, Southampton
Pakistan/Afghanistan don't have long range missiles to threaten us with. We are at risk because of open-borders, fake student college scams, failure to curb hate-preachers over the last 20 years, multi-culturalism and political correctness. Thanks to NuLabour and their loony policies our soldiers are now paying with their blood.
- Ab, London
Here are some questions.
(1) Exactly why are we there.?
(2) When will we know when we have won. ?
(3) How will the Taliban threaten us here in the UK, if we leave right now
(4) Are other countries in the EU threatened?
(5) How many troops in the FRONT LINE do our EU partners have?
(6) How many of our brave Troops ,think that this War is winnable.?
(7) Should our British troops be protecting our" BORDERS" instead.
(8) How much will it cost, can we afford it and for how long.?
(9) What is the total number of Deaths and INJURIES so far. ?
- Ezza, lancashire, ENGLAND
