| Home > Central Asia >> Afghanistan | |
British public's anger at Afghanistan war grows
The Australian - October 15, 2009
London – Calls for British troops to leave Afghanistan have risen sharply just before Prime Minister Gordon Brown last night announced plans to send hundreds more to Helmand province.
More than a third of voters (36 percent) believe that British troops should be withdrawn immediately, according to the Populus poll for The Times – up from 29 per cent in mid-September. The growing unease at the armed presence has been driven by women.
Four out of 10 want Britain to quit Afghanistan, up from three out of 10 over the past month. Opposition among men has risen from 29 to 32 per cent. Support for withdrawal is highest among Labour voters.
The poll also shows strong opposition to General Richard Dannatt's appointment as an adviser to the Conservatives and a possible defence minister should Tory leader David Cameron win the next election.
The findings came before the Prime Minister last night announced an increase in troop numbers in Afghanistan from 9000 to 9500, following requests for reinforcements.
Mr Brown couched his statement with a number of caveats. He wants reassurance from the service chiefs that the extra 500 will have the right equipment to take with them, and he expects other NATO partners to follow suit with offers of more troops.
He earlier paid tribute to each of the 37 British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since parliament recessed on July 21, reading out their names in the House of Commons in what he said was a "solemn moment".
He wanted to "put on record" parliament's "gratitude" for the sacrifices they had made. (The Times, AP)
See also:
 |