This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8283989.stm

The article has changed 32 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
UK considers Afghan troops boost UK considers Afghan troops boost
(10 minutes later)
Downing Street says the prime minister is "open-minded" about whether more UK troops are needed in Afghanistan.Downing Street says the prime minister is "open-minded" about whether more UK troops are needed in Afghanistan.
A spokesman said any increase depended on the right strategy being in place and the necessary equipment being available for personnel.A spokesman said any increase depended on the right strategy being in place and the necessary equipment being available for personnel.
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth told the BBC kit did not "come from Marks and Spencer" and took time to procure.Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth told the BBC kit did not "come from Marks and Spencer" and took time to procure.
He also said there were "some difficult decisions to take" in the coming months over Britain's role in Afghanistan.He also said there were "some difficult decisions to take" in the coming months over Britain's role in Afghanistan.
Number 10 said any increase in numbers would also depend on there being a new and effective Afghan government in place, prepared to provide more local troops and tackle political corruption.Number 10 said any increase in numbers would also depend on there being a new and effective Afghan government in place, prepared to provide more local troops and tackle political corruption.
'Local atrocity''Local atrocity'
Mr Ainsworth told delegates at the Labour conference in Brighton that "the risk of leaving Afghanistan before the job is finished is stark" and to do so would see British troops cast as the "losers"Mr Ainsworth told delegates at the Labour conference in Brighton that "the risk of leaving Afghanistan before the job is finished is stark" and to do so would see British troops cast as the "losers"
"In my view we cant afford not to be there," he said."In my view we cant afford not to be there," he said.
"The war in Afghanistan is our war. We are there to ensure our national security. The distant threat can become a local atrocity.""The war in Afghanistan is our war. We are there to ensure our national security. The distant threat can become a local atrocity."
LABOUR CONFERENCE TWEETS LABOUR CONFERENCE TWEETS
Twitter: @BBCLauraKTwitter: @BBCLauraK
Oops-Miliband gets ahead of himself,then goes back in his speech to attack Hague#lab09 11 minutes ago Govt will wait for 'credible' Afghan election result-urges allies to stick to the mission#lab09 20 minutes ago Miliband says Afghan govt have to talk to Taliban#lab09 22 minutes ago David Miliband joins attack on The Sun-'world does not revolve around' Wapping#lab09 25 minutes ago Douglas Alexander gets an ovation in the hall #lab09 45 minutes ago What is this? Flags being handed out in the hall with'tories-change you can't afford'-wont be the last time we see that slogan#lab09 2 minutes ago Oops-Miliband gets ahead of himself,then goes back in his speech to attack Hague#lab09 20 minutes ago Govt will wait for 'credible' Afghan election result-urges allies to stick to the mission#lab09 30 minutes ago Miliband says Afghan govt have to talk to Taliban#lab09 31 minutes ago David Miliband joins attack on The Sun-'world does not revolve around' Wapping#lab09 35 minutes ago What is this?
The defence secretary said he could not put a time limit on Britain's commitment, but wanted to see "significantly more progress in the next year or so".The defence secretary said he could not put a time limit on Britain's commitment, but wanted to see "significantly more progress in the next year or so".
He said the government was aiming to speed up the training of Afghan soldiers, from 2,000 a month to 4,000, which would allow the Afghan army to reach its target strength by November 2010, ahead of schedule.He said the government was aiming to speed up the training of Afghan soldiers, from 2,000 a month to 4,000, which would allow the Afghan army to reach its target strength by November 2010, ahead of schedule.
The UK currently has about 9,000 military personnel in Afghanistan - the second largest deployment of any nation - and Mr Ainsworth said he would only consider increasing that if "other nations step up to the plate".The UK currently has about 9,000 military personnel in Afghanistan - the second largest deployment of any nation - and Mr Ainsworth said he would only consider increasing that if "other nations step up to the plate".
Any boost in numbers would also only happen if the government was "absolutely certain" they would have the right equipment.Any boost in numbers would also only happen if the government was "absolutely certain" they would have the right equipment.
"Yes, we want to be part of a very important coalition... but we also have to be mindful of our ability to supply our own troops," he told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme."Yes, we want to be part of a very important coalition... but we also have to be mindful of our ability to supply our own troops," he told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"The kit and equipment they need to do this job doesn't come from Marks and Spencer. It has to be ordered through a very complex procurement process.""The kit and equipment they need to do this job doesn't come from Marks and Spencer. It has to be ordered through a very complex procurement process."
Boosting troop numbers above 10,000 could stretch armed forces capacity beyond manageable levels, meaning people would be "going to theatre far more often than is appropriate or good for them", the minister added.Boosting troop numbers above 10,000 could stretch armed forces capacity beyond manageable levels, meaning people would be "going to theatre far more often than is appropriate or good for them", the minister added.
During his speech, Mr Ainsworth also accused the Conservatives of "ignoring the facts" about the supply of equipment and vehicles to personnel.During his speech, Mr Ainsworth also accused the Conservatives of "ignoring the facts" about the supply of equipment and vehicles to personnel.
"False claims don't just damage the government; they risk damaging the morale of both our troops and the public. They risk damaging the mission," he said."False claims don't just damage the government; they risk damaging the morale of both our troops and the public. They risk damaging the mission," he said.
'Stark risk''Stark risk'
Gordon Brown told BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson that the case for being in Afghanistan was "as strong as it was in 2001".Gordon Brown told BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson that the case for being in Afghanistan was "as strong as it was in 2001".
"This is not a head-on fight with the Taliban," he said. "We've got to get the public in Afghanistan to recognise it's their country and we're helping them take back more control of their own affairs."This is not a head-on fight with the Taliban," he said. "We've got to get the public in Afghanistan to recognise it's their country and we're helping them take back more control of their own affairs.
"Both Barack Obama and I are looking at how we can train up the Afghan army, train up the Afghan police, improve the civil institutions... and it's at that point that I believe we can reduce the troop numbers in Afghanistan.""Both Barack Obama and I are looking at how we can train up the Afghan army, train up the Afghan police, improve the civil institutions... and it's at that point that I believe we can reduce the troop numbers in Afghanistan."
Mr Brown has also denied that the Sun's switch to backing the Tories had derailed his plans to launch a Labour fight-back at the conference.Mr Brown has also denied that the Sun's switch to backing the Tories had derailed his plans to launch a Labour fight-back at the conference.
The newspaper cited Afghanistan - and in particular alleged shortages of vital equipment - as a key reason for abandoning Labour.The newspaper cited Afghanistan - and in particular alleged shortages of vital equipment - as a key reason for abandoning Labour.
But despite this, the PM said he could still "turn it round" to win an historic fourth term in government.But despite this, the PM said he could still "turn it round" to win an historic fourth term in government.
The Sun cited Afghanistan as a key reason for abandoning LabourThe Sun cited Afghanistan as a key reason for abandoning Labour
He said voters would see that "the vision of the future that we have for Britain is about the hard working majority" - and that they would "see through" the Conservatives, who he claimed were like the Tory Party of the 1990s "that caused so much damage".He said voters would see that "the vision of the future that we have for Britain is about the hard working majority" - and that they would "see through" the Conservatives, who he claimed were like the Tory Party of the 1990s "that caused so much damage".
Mr Brown spoke as a YouGov poll for Sky News suggested Labour wer on 30%, compared with the Tories' 37% and Lib Dems' 21%, suggesting a boost from his speech on Tuesday.Mr Brown spoke as a YouGov poll for Sky News suggested Labour wer on 30%, compared with the Tories' 37% and Lib Dems' 21%, suggesting a boost from his speech on Tuesday.
The final day of conference will see speeches from Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman, who will attempt to lift the morale of activists with a closing address.The final day of conference will see speeches from Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman, who will attempt to lift the morale of activists with a closing address.
Meanwhile, General Stanley McChrystal, the US commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, will give a speech in London on Thursday.Meanwhile, General Stanley McChrystal, the US commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, will give a speech in London on Thursday.
He has already told the US government that the situation is serious, but that success is achievable with the right strategy and additional resources.He has already told the US government that the situation is serious, but that success is achievable with the right strategy and additional resources.