Westminster backs Obama troop surge |

Tuesday 1st December 2009 | 15:30

Westminster backs Obama troop surge

A majority within Westminster are broadly supportive of extra troops being sent to Afghanistan, but have reservations about the focus on withdrawal

President Obama announced he would send an extra 30,000 troops to Afghanistan in a speech at West Point last night, but warned that forces would begin to be withdrawn in 2011.

The latest PoliticsHome research indicates that the UK political community is broadly supportive of the troop surge, but fear that an emphasis on withdrawal from Afghanistan may prove counter-productive.

68% of the Phi100 panel, which includes MPs, peers, strategists, journalists, think tank leaders and academics, are ‘broadly supportive’ of the troop increase. 27% are ‘broadly opposed’ to it.

(When the research was carried out it was expected that Obama would announce an increase of 34,000).

The increase was backed by majorities from across all political leanings, with right-aligned panellists most likely to support the troop surge.

A non-aligned journalist said, “It depends if other NATO nations get stuck in.”

A Conservative MP said, “The key to a successful strategy is the commitment of other NATO countries.”

A right-aligned journalist said, “We're not going to win. So admit it and get outta there.”

Scepticism over exit plan focus

However, the insiders had hoped there would not be a strong emphasis on the exit plan, believing this will only enthuse the enemy.

58% of insiders held this view, although 27% were hopeful Obama would outline a clear withdrawal strategy, including a majority of Liberal Democrat-aligned supporters.

A non-aligned journalist said, “We need to hear an exit plan – we all know this is the final push.”

A Liberal Democrat MP said, “Just a plan would be good, never mind exit.”

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