With Wootton Bassett becoming Royal tomorrow, and the tenth anniversary of the war in Afghanistan with us, have the politicians or the world learned anything from the last ten years?

At the last count, 382 British servicemen and women have lost their lives and many more seriously injured, with loss of limbs etc, and more than 10,000 Afghan men, women and children have died, with probably the same number injured and thousands displaced.

The so called “war on terror” has been a complete failure. The idea of Western governments trying to reshape Afghanistan or any Arab/Middle East countries on so called Western democracy was a false idea from the start.

The Taliban – despite the politicians continuing to tell us that they are a weakened force with the killing of some of their leaders – will not be defeated. It is a complete stalemate and certain politicians won’t admit (publicly, at least, that it is an unwinnable war.

How many millions of people in this country, like myself, have had enough of the Government sending us into war?

I, for one, will be glad when this country starts to use my tax money to help save lives, rather than ending them.

Mark Webb Old Town Swindon

Sub standard

I and several other standard bearers from across the town have been invited to take part in the celebrations for the ceremony of Wootton Bassett on Sunday, in which the Pricess Royal will give the town the title of Royal Wooton Bassett.

To take part is an honour and not to be taken lightly.

However, last night I received an email from the Royal British Legion person in charge, who proceeded to tell us the dress code for the RBL etc.

We are not allowed to wear a jacket and trousers, it has to be a suit, we have to wear the RBL badge in our beret, we have to have a haircut, we have to polish our shoes and we are not allowed to wear our veterans badges etc.

After 25 years in the Army, to receive such an email is not only a wind up but a joke.

Is this a parade for the town, or a showcase for the RBL?

As it is, I am told there were going to be about 60 bearers on parade, but you can’t take your cars so you have to use the park and ride, so all those lads will be in the queues for the bus carrying their standards.

What a joke.

T Reynolds Wheeler Avenue Swindon

People’s honour

To the people of Wootton Bassett – many congratulations on being granted the status of Royal.

Thoroughly deserved, as I am sure the whole of the UK would agree.

To the Wootton Bassett council officials, I would like to say that on the momentous day, please remember it’s the town and its people that are being honoured, apart from the royal who is representing the monarchy, and local RAF personnel.

It would be nice to see the town’s people in the limelight and not see all the dignitaries, chief constables, High Sheriff of Wiltshire etc grab the news – as well as all the freebies.

After all, it was the relatives of the repatriated soldiers and town’s people who stood in all weathers to honour them.

G G Venn Wroughton

That’s rich, David

Money is a sort of taboo subject to the rich, yet Len Goodman says he is overpaid by the BBC for his Strictly Come Dancing judging. We should salute him.

Sir Stuart Rose, of Marks and Spencer, says rich people like him should pay the 50p tax rate. It’s almost worth a knighthood.

Why don’t more well heeled people start coughing up obvious truths about money? It would help in evaluating our savagely unequal society.

“All in it together” is an untruth. David Cameron should recant.

Max Nottingham St Faith’s Street Lincoln

Cycle of crime

My granddaughter, a very keen cyclist, lives in a flat in the Covingham area.

She recently returned from a short holiday to find that both of her cycles were missing. They were very expensive and were kept in a purpose built, and supposedly safe shed, adjacent to the flat.

Not only were both cycles immobilised but they were joined together by a strong chain and a large padlock.

As there were no signs of a break in, it is presumed that the thief knew they were there, had a key and must have had transport to carry them away, as to separate them in situ would have taken a very long time.

She immediately reported it to the police and was informed that similar offences were prevalent.

They gave her an incident number for insurance purposes and then, to her amazement, it was suggested she contact neighbours and also the residents of nearby flats to ask if they had seen anything suspicious during her absence.

This surely should have been a job for the investigating officer.

We all know there are to be substantial cuts in police budgets, but if crimes like these are considered to be too trivial, too costly or time consuming to investigate, then the Wiltshire Constabulary must be in a sorry state even before these cuts are made.

Name and address supplied