For the past 13 years British forces have been working to make Afghanistan a safer country.

A mission that has cost many lives from Britain, the US and Afghanistan. Whilst some may argue we should never have got involved in the first place, there is no denying Britain has helped make a difference.

Our involvement has meant that Afghanistan is a more stable country which is improving economically. They now have millions more children going to school, universities and technical colleges turning out high-quality graduates and there is now a free media.

Afghanistan is now a safer country but they still have a long way to go and must continue the fight against al-Qaeda.

Here in West Oxfordshire the war in Afghanistan has also been a huge part of our lives.

With RAF Brize Norton in the district we have all got used to seeing military aircraft carrying troops or military equipment flying overhead. We have also played a huge part since taking over repatriations in 2011.

I will never forget standing with military personnel and the local community who turned out every time to pay tribute to those who have sadly been killed on operations in Afghanistan.

A total of 453 of our brave troops paid the ultimate sacrifice and we should never forget them.

The memorial garden in Carterton will forever hold the memories of all those who have sadly fallen.

Generations in the future will look back and see the service that was given in Afghanistan, the sacrifices that were made, the fight that was had and the reason why we did it.

Not just to make Afghanistan a safer country but to make us here at home more safe and secure too.

There is a saying in Afghanistan that “the river is made of many drops of water” and I think that will be evident in the future of Afghanistan and its people. We have built the foundations, it is now up to them to continue building a strong and stable country.

Britain’s war in Afghanistan is over.

Liam Walker

Chairman

Witney Conservative Future

 

Today’s letters

 

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