Dying for Democracy in Afghanistan

 A desperately sad and depressing fact was released yesterday. Just 150 Afghan voters dared to go to the polls in the area of Helmand province where four British soldiers sacrificed their lives to help secure a safe election day.

This less than satisfying news was hardly enhanced when the British Ambassador to Kabul intoned that British troops will be engaged in combat there for another 5 years. The ambassador, Mark Sedwill, when questioned, did not deny the low turn out but muttered that it was impossible to be sure.

The more cynical news hacks probably thought it was even lower, given the rumours about a healthy black market in voting cards, No need to worry though, if you are a soldier because some inspiring spokesperson from the MOD said that the voting figures, if confirmed were ‘very disappointing’.

Apparently there is anecdotal evidence that people from outlying areas travelled into more secure areas such as Lashkar Gash to vote because they felt more confident doing so. I suspect it was a lovely day for a trip outside too.

So there we have it. The current operation in which our troops are shooting at men with beards who may (or may not) be in the Taliban is called Panther’s Claw.

I suspect our troops are at a bit of a disadvantage in this operation because they are in uniform, whilst the men with beards are not. So you don’t know if the people ahead are friendly, indifferent. – or downright dangerous.

I doubt the army know why are there – same as we don’t. But after the success of Panther’s Claw and the Afghan Election, we can put a count on it. 150 votes = 4 lives. So far 202 members of the armed forces have dies, 800 have been injured, 235 very seriously – or seriously.

Surely some serious and very serious questions need to be asked why we are there.