A number of MPs have moved to warn the government that plans to pull British troops out of Afghanistan could “dangerously weaken” the forces left behind. David Cameron recently explained plans to withdraw by the end of 2014 at the latest, with total force numbers set to be slashed to as low as 9,000 by the end of summer next year. All operations, according to Cameron’s current plan, will come to an end by 2014.
However, the plans have, predictably enough, been met with widespread criticism from MPs and those who believe the government fails to act in the best interest of UK armed forces. The main concerns over the plan seem to revolve around the fact that anxieties remain over how well prepared the Afghan national army and police are to take control of security measures in the country. There are also worries over the government continuing on with their schedule of troop withdrawal, even if the situation on the ground changes over the next two years or so.
As pressure on Cameron grows with this level of criticism and the phone hacking scandal taking up so many press pages at the moment, the Prime Minister also won’t have been happy to hear the damning criticism aimed his way with regards to the number of helicopters allocated to troops in Afghanistan.
That said, a government spokesperson has since revealed that along with the increase in troop numbers since 2009 has come a significant increase in the provision of helicopters and other equipment essential to the war effort. Celebrity fundraisers have also helped in this respect, as has the charity Help For Heroes, aided by a few celebs such as footballers and comedians like vic reeves raising awareness.