Government has failed to make case to public for Afghan mission - Davey

Commenting on an ICM/BBC poll which finds that two thirds of the UK public want troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan in the next year, Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary, Edward Davey said:

“This shows a worrying lack of public support for the mission in Afghanistan.

“The survey not only reflects public concern over a lack of progress in Afghanistan, but also the Government’s total failure to make the case for this vital NATO mission. Too many still see Iraq and Afghanistan as two sides of the same coin.

“Distracted by Iraq, ministers neither recognised nor planned for the long-term threat posed by the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

“Our commitment in Afghanistan may last for many years. Yet the Government has failed to prepare the public for the long haul.

“Only by withdrawing Britain’s troops from Iraq can the Government hope to draw a line under the devastating mistake which destroyed people’s trust and continues to place our armed forces under intolerable strain.

“Without reducing military overstretch and rebuilding public support for the mission, the British contribution in Afghanistan will continue to be undermined.”