Now That Was Depressing

Today saw the first Prime Minister's Question Time (PMQ) of the new term of the British Parliament. Normally PMQ's is one of the more lighthearted events of the political week with the leaders of the three main political parties asking each other questions that may as well begin with the words; "Does the honourable member know that his mother's so fat.....?" Today's exchange was noticeably different because it began with the Prime Minister reading the names of all the British troops killed in Afghanistan since the last PMQ's back in July. Once all three party leaders had paid their respects there was only time in the half hour session left for a quick question about health care provision in Barnsley and a longer question about why British troops are having their training cut before being deployed to Afghanistan.

PMQ's was followed by a statement from the Prime Minister in which he announced that Britain would be sending 500 extra troops to Afghanistan. This is half the 1000 troops the military requested and while no details were given there appear to be three opt outs that would prevent these troops actually being sent. That is to say that unless the military feels there is adequate equipment to protect them, Britain's NATO allies make similar commitments and the yet to be appointed Afghan President commits far more Afghan troops the British troops may not be sent. After the announcement a former army officer turned TV pundit declared that the statement was timed to convince the Americans that Britain was still very much committed to the war and put pressure on the Whitehouse to commit 40-80,000 more US troops to the campaign.