MPs have strongly supported the continued deployment of British troops in Afghanistan. The first vote on the issue was held tonight, almost nine years after British forces were sent to the country.
The motion put before the Commons that “This House supports the continued deployment of UK armed forces in Afghanistan”, was passed by 310 votes to 14.
Liam Fox, the defence secretary, told the Commons military means, but not military means alone, were required for security in Afghanistan, adding, “We seek government of Afghanistan by the Afghans for the Afghans. We insist only that it does not pose a threat to our security, our interests or our allies.”
There are currently some 10,000 British troops in southern Afghanistan. So far this year 89 have been killed, bringing the total number of deaths since 2001 to 334.
During the debate a number of MPs voiced concerns over the government’s plans for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan as well the US-led counter-insurgency strategy.
The coalition government set 2015 as the target for withdrawing British combat troops from southern Afghanistan.
Bob Stewart, Conservative MP for Beckenham and who was a UN commander in Bosnia in 1992 to 1993, told the Commons meeting both the political and military aims in Afghanistan were a problem. “It is a very difficult job our troops are doing,” he said.
