OUR boys are fighting for their lives in Iraq. Already 132 have lost that battle and 40 in Afghanistan.

Now 1,600 combat troops are being pulled out of Iraq and 1,300 are then being sent to Afghanistan.

What game of smoke and mirrors is this being played with the best fighting forces on this planet.

The Afghans have been fighting for centuries, even the might of the old Soviet Russia couldn't beat them.

Germany, Italy, Spain and France are all refusing to send more troops.

The question then arises that perhaps their governments are more reluctant to send young men to their deaths than our Government is.

When it was put to the British public that we were under threat from weapons of mass destruction that could be launched in 45 minutes I thought we must send our troops in, in defence of the realm.

Like the vast majority of the British public in light of the true facts of the matter I have changed my mind.

Does anybody really believe that Iraq verging on civil war is a better place than it was before?

Add 600,000 civilians and 3,000 American troops' deaths to our boys' losses.

Does anybody think we will beat the Afghans on their own home ground when this hasn't been achieved in centuries?

It is time that all politicians of every party realised that they are put in by the people, to act out the wishes of the majority of the people.

Our forces should be used when this country or our allies are under threat.

I firmly believe that the question whether our troops should be withdrawn should be put to the British public and, whatever that decision is, it should be acted upon.

We are not playing toy soldiers or computer games here we are playing with young men's lives, many in their prime, with young families.

Every time I hear of the loss of a member of our forces I feel a deep sadness for him or her and their families, as I am sure the vast majority of the public do.

It makes it even more sad when you ask was it necessary in the first place.

The main duty of every Government is the protection of its citizens, has the cauldron of hatred that has been created by the Iraq invasion made Britain a safer place? I think not.

B WILLIAMS.

Covingham, Swindon