9th December 2006

 
Former army head says government is failing soldiers in time of war

· General says armed forces lack resources they need

· MoD accused of obsession with commercial targets

General Sir Mike Jackson, a former head of the army, delivered a blistering attack on the government accusing it of failing to meet the most basic needs of the country's soldiers who were risking their lives fighting unpopular wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Green Mayor of Stroud, Kevin Cranston, a retired Lieutenant Colonel who served for 26 years in the British army and helped organise helicopter support  in the 1991 Gulf war, was asked to comment by BBC Radio Gloucestershire. He said: "If the Government are using troops for operations then they are morally obliged to ensure those troops are fully equipped. The troops are risking their lives and the Govenment should ensure that soldiers are only called upon to take those risks as a last resort - which is something Tony Blair I don't think can say when it comes to Iraq - and if they must go to operations then they must be equipped to the highest standards possible - this is again something that Government is not doing - it has just not been making the money available."

Kevin Cranston described occasions during the first Gulf war and Balkans when equipment had not been provided and led to difficulties. He said the problem is getting worse, but added: "Generally the army has good leadership at all levels which means morale can still be high but it looks like these factors are all having an effect as more people are now leaving the army."

 
Cllr Philip Booth, a Stroud District Green party spokesperson added: "The General also accuses the MoD of an obsession with commercial targets. This all comes on top of criticisms from Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, Gen Jackson's successor, about the pay, hospital treatment and overall lack of value accorded British soldiers, as well as the situation in Iraq."

Philip Booth added: "The situation in Iraq is dire. Close to 4000 Iraqis were killed in October, November was an even higher figure - the highest figures since the 2003 invasion. The United Nations says 3000 Iraqis flee the country every day. Another 9,000 flee their homes every week to become internal refugees. US troops are being killed at a rate of close to three a day, with many more seriously injured. More British soldiers are also dying. We also have just learnt from the Treasury that the war in Iraq has cost five billion pounds and the war in Afghanistan another one billion. Tony Blair, must bring the troops back home now – men and women are dying and all the while the disastrous policy is making conditions in Iraq worse, not better."