Should UK troops be withdrawn?

Should UK troops be withdrawn?

Former Foreign Secretary Robin Cook has called the conflict in Iraq "bloody and unnecessary".

Mr Cook - who resigned as Leader of the House of Commons in protest at the decision to launch hostilities without international agreement - said he wanted UK troops to come home as soon as possible.

Former defence minister Doug Henderson said Britain should pull its forces out of the war zone but Home Secretary David Blunkett said that would amount to "capitulation" and strengthen Saddam Hussein and other dictators.

Do you think UK troops should be withdrawn from action in Iraq or is continued deployment justified?

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This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.

Your reaction:

Lots of people seem to have no perspective of this brutal regime. The British and UK boys are heroes, they are willing to put their own lives on the line in order to create a better Iraq for the normal, decent Iraqi people. Any British and Americans who do not support their forces out in Iraq should be ashamed of themselves and you would have thought that someone as senior as Robin Cook would know that comments like his are dangerous and irresponsible.
Nick Byas, Zimbabwe

The government should not have sent the troops into Iraq without total backing from the UN. However to pull them out now would cause more damage to the lives of innocent Iraqis. What message would this send to Saddam and others like him? We need to support our troops in their endeavours to protect Iraqi civilians and after the conflict is over work hard to regain the trust of Iraq and other nations in the Middle East.
Joy Grice, UK

Robin Cook deserves our respect for daring to say what many Labour MP's think but are too career conscious to say.
Mike Jones, England

It would give the wrong impression to all terrorists and tyrannical regimes across the world

Jo-Ann, UK

Why didn't we finish him the first time round? It is a tragedy that innocent lives will be lost but looking at the bigger picture it is imperative that the threat of Saddam to his own people and the rest of the world is removed. Mr Cook's call for withdrawal of the troops would be a disaster. It would give the wrong impression to all terrorists and tyrannical regimes across the world. A big hello to all of our troops, well done lads, do us proud!
Jo-Ann, UK

Whether this war is right or wrong, withdrawing troops now or even hinting at stopping the war, would mean Saddam Hussein has won.
Hussein Abdel-Halim, Cairo, Egypt

The political leadership of the USA and UK have based their military strategy on the anticipation of a quick victory. This now looks much less likely without heavy civilian and coalition casualties. One factor is now that the UK in particular may run-out of frontline troops - our forces are badly overstretched. If this conflict drags on we may have to face the need for conscription. Perhaps the political leadership could re-access their objectives to the occupation of the two No-fly zones and main oil fields and then take this back to the UN!
John Minard, UK

Robin Cook - who I hope will be the next leader of a New 'New' Labour - was probably premature in calling for troops to leave Iraq. If this war develops into an opposed occupation, with British soldiers at constant risk, the Troops Out movement will grow. Robin Cook is positioned to help bring that about - when the time comes.
David Ayers, UK

I agree with Robin Cook. Our continued presence in Iraq endangers us all. The US are loathed and feared in the Middle East, and by being their puppets so are we. This war will only serve to recruit more idealistic and misguided young men willing to give up their lives to rid the world of the western devils. Who knows what they will target next.
Amanda, England

The Iraqis are proud people who deserve our respect as well as our help

Neil, UK

Withdrawal of troops now would be the worst of all options. Saddam would be left in power, civilians and military would be dead for absolutely nothing, Iraq's infrastructure would be left wrecked, and the UN would be weakened. The best thing for the Iraqi people and also to re-establish the credibility of the west would be a quick victory. Then we must establish a representative Iraqi government as quickly as possible. The Iraqis are proud people who deserve our respect as well as our help.
Neil, UK

I don't understand this idea of supporting troops now that they are there. So even if we think that this war is unjustified we might as well just fight it since we've started? Get those troops back where they belong - on home soil. They have no business invading foreign countries to secure our economic interests. Blair and Bush should be ashamed to have sent people to die and inflict death upon innocent people just to make some money out of it.
Val, UK

It's not too late for the British and American troops to seriously consider withdrawing honourably from this war and giving the peace process a chance through the United Nations. America will never succeed in its ill designs of pirating Iraqi oil wealth because Iraq's fundamental existence is dependant on its oil revenues. They will fight tooth and nail and if they have to die for their motherland they will have laid their lives in martyrdom.
N Salyani, Canada

The troops are fighting for a better life for the Iraqi people

Dean Ashby, England

It is time that the country got behind its troops. What Robin Cook is saying is a disgrace and it is good he has resigned. The troops are fighting for a better life for the Iraqi people. I have served in the army and there is no better reward than seeing young children smile when they receive food and water, something that we take for granted. It's time we woke up and got behind our lads.
Dean Ashby, England

Maybe Robin Cook should re-think his career as an MP. He seems to be having trouble understanding the term democratic vote. As for the notion of withdrawing troops at this stage, did we not do just that in the last Gulf War? The terrible retributions Saddam heaped on the supporters of the war is one of the reasons they may be reluctant to support this war until they know for sure that we are going to stay to the end.
Alan Preece, England

Our troops should be recalled at once if, after freeing Basra's citizens from terror, they fail to win their hearts. They should never have been asked to shed their blood to rescue a people from Saddam Hussein when they obviously fear American domination so much more.
J P FitzGerald, The Netherlands

It seems to me that the longer US and UK troops are in Iraq, the more the Iraqi people are forced into supporting Saddam because they resent, quite understandably, foreign troops invading their country and killing their friends and relatives. Withdrawing the troops now and admitting that the war was a mistake would be the best possible humanitarian act. It would save lives in Iraq, save lives of UK service personnel, and give an opportunity for the Iraqis to address the question of their own state's lack of democracy without having national unity against an invader forcing them together.
Nick Holden, UK

If our troops are withdrawn now it will cause more problems than it will solve both militarily and politically. The best we can hope for is a quick end to the war and that the US will keep its patience.
Rob, UK

Congratulations to Robin Cook for having the courage to say what the country is thinking

Harry Sculthorpe, Britain

Congratulations to Robin Cook for having the courage to say what the country is thinking at a heavy cost to his future prospects.
Harry Sculthorpe, Britain

Troops should not be withdrawn because this repressive and tyrannical reign of Saddam needs to be removed as an act of liberation for the people of Iraq. Also, the discovery of NBC suites and atropine is a clear indication that intent to use chemical weapons is a clear and present danger. Mr Cook should have backed his leadership and not acted as a catalyst for a division in the party. It was an act of free will on his part to resign from his post. He has the choice to do this in a democracy - the Iraqi people do not have such choices.
Lynne, UK

Queen Elizabeth should sack Blair and his government and personally order her forces home. The new Labour prime minister should hand over the entire cabinet who agreed to launch this illegal aggressive war to the International Criminal Court. They should humbly apologise to the United Nations for having ignored it and propose the suspension of the United States from membership of the UN. The UN should then be moved from New York to Geneva. Horrifying as this scenario is, it is the only alternative to the quagmire to which Blair's stupidity has condemned us. There is no longer any hopeful scenario. In opening Pandora's box, Blair and Bush have closed all the other doors.
Gerard Mulholland, France

Robin Cook was right to denounce the unnecessary war in Iraq. Sadly Tony Blair has tied his political career to a group in Washington who is just as willing to publicly humiliate friends as it is ready to bad-mouth opponents. We can only hope that Cook's remarks will fuel a rebellion that will unseat Blair as leader of the Labour Party.
J Smith, USA

Mr Cook's call is simply ludicrous

Nanette, Switzerland

Troops should not be withdrawn from Iraq; Mr Cook's call is simply ludicrous after only 11 days of war. He's obviously 'cashing-in' on the anti war opponents - a typical politician. To those who question the motives of the coalition I say this: "Why is it so difficult for you to understand that a man like Saddam must be removed from power?" I have no doubt that, after the war, more light will be shed on his involvement in WMD and how they might have been used by him, or possibly sold to terrorist organizations.
Nanette, Switzerland

What a quagmire! Bad planning, lousy diplomacy and lies and now we're stuck with it. This war will not be over until Bush and Blair have been removed and a real Middle East peace plan is put on the table.
Phil, Canada

Yes, withdraw the troops immediately. Conventional wars don't exist anymore and this is going to be another Vietnam. Pull the troops out now, save some dignity (if you have any) before you loose this war and stop this wasteful carnage. The only way to win wars now is to use nuclear weapons and no one wants that.
Frank, Granada, Spain

Keep at it and win. Then go after any other retrograde dangerous gangs in the region that might continue to pursue policies that threaten the future. And what's the obsession so many Labour types have with Israel? It seems that the only thing that can calm them down is to throw the only democracy in the Middle East to the dogs of terrorism.
George, Australia

The UK is said to be the home of democracy - its government should listen to its people

Selcuk Baykir, Turkey

UK troops should definitely be withdrawn. Insistence on a mistake is nonsense. The UK is said to be the home of democracy - its government should listen to its people. Bush and Blair's actions will cause more hatred of the UK and USA.
Selcuk Baykir, Turkey

In my humble opinion, Robin Cook is a man who likes to blow his own trumpet. Almost two thirds of Iraq - an enormous country by any standard - has been taken by the Allied forces with extremely few casualties.
Suzanne Landau, United Kingdom

All troops should be withdrawn and the UN should intervene. Bush and Cheney should be ousted; everyone knows they are just out for the oil.
Judith, USA

I'm not in favour of this war, but we are there now, so supporting the British and US troops is what we do! May all involved be blessed for their bravery?
Elizabeth, U.S.

It's too late to withdraw, the war should not have started but now it has it has to run its course (even though it is an embarrassment to the civilized world).
Andrew Davis, UK in USA

The troops should not be there in the first place fighting this illegal and immoral war

Jeremy, UK

This is not, as some people are saying, a matter of supporting the troops or not. They should not be there in the first place fighting this illegal and immoral war on behalf of Mr Bush and his corporate cronies and I say end it now, while we still can.
Jeremy, UK

I was against this whole thing from the start and took part in the London March. However, I very reluctantly have to say that to withdraw now would be a disaster. We should consolidate and hold the territory we've taken. To withdraw would actually vindicate Saddam and probably strengthen him. This whole mess should never have happened. I hope Blair pays for it at the next election.
Dave, UK

I do not believe that our troops should be withdrawn. No one wants to see them get hurt, but Saddam's rule must come to an end. People seem to forget how many innocent Iraqi's have been murdered under his regime.
Emily, UK

Withdrawal would leave us in the worst of all possible worlds

R Burns, United Kingdom

Robin Cook's judgment is dreadful. Withdrawal would leave us in the worst of all possible worlds. We would hand a moral victory to Saddam Hussein, who in anyone's view is a ghastly and dangerous tyrant. We would face the wrath and contempt of our closest allies who would rightly see this as a betrayal and we would be a laughing stock to the French and Germans.
R Burns, United Kingdom

We should withdraw our troops to prevent Saddam Hussein becoming a martyr. His removal will, rightly or wrongly, build the West's image as imperialist aggressors, which can only lead to further conflict.
Oliver Ellis, UK

I believe that the UK should withdraw its troops from this dirty, messy and unnecessary war. The world has seen many cruel dictators in the last 25 years who have butchered millions of their innocent people. Where were the super powers and United Nations when Pol Pot, with his ruthless regime, was filling the fields of Cambodia with corpses? Was Cambodia invaded by a super power to rid it of Pol Pot? No. Saddam is now seen by many as a hero who has the courage to confront the mighty powers of the world.
Saqib Kahn, London

I apologise to all the parents of all the children in all the countries who have given their lives for this folly

CS Symington, USA

Without question the UK and US both should withdraw troops. As an American with nothing to lose I am ashamed and embarrassed that my country supports an action so clearly misguided and based on one inaccuracy after another. As a nobody citizen of the US, I apologise to all the parents of all the children in all the countries who have given their lives for this folly.
CS Symington, USA

Has Robin Cook forgotten that he lives in a democratic country? When a vote is taken the minority are expected to fall in with the majority, especially in an issue as grave as this. Perhaps he feels that the one with the biggest mouth should be leader of the commons. I never backed the war but now we are there let us get behind the government and troops and finish the job that should have been done in the Gulf War.
Dennis Wragg, England

The troops should be brought home from Iraq as they are risking their lives for American greed.
Siobhan Cosgrave, UK

I am not for Saddam but I certainly feel that the UK troops have got themselves into a difficult situation because of the ego of the administration. The earlier stand of working together with the UN could have proven to be a more effective approach and less costly on life. With the support of the UN Blair and Bush would have the whole international community on their side and the Iraqi people would have trusted their intentions. It is probably a bit too late for the soldiers to come out. I only hope and pray there will be minimal casualties.
Chacha Bateja, India

As a retired serviceman, I believe that the troops should be withdrawn

James Malcolm, England

As a retired serviceman it pains me to say this but I believe that the troops should be withdrawn. The war was planned by politicians on bad intelligence and implemented by soldiers who are not trained to do this kind of non-lethal invasion. We should withdraw and finance and support regime change by the Iraqis for the Iraqis.
James Malcolm, England

Sadly, if Robin Cook can't support the troops, whether or not he agrees with the action, he should be stripped of his rank as an MP. If we don't put an end to this evil regime, we, and the rest of Europe will be looking over our shoulders waiting for the biological or nerve agent attack that will come.
Phil, Stockton, UK

Yes! I wholeheartedly agree with Robin Cook. We have only our own safety to gain and nothing to lose. I have far more faith in the UN's methods. They may take more time (theoretically), but the alternative - the pre-emptive invasion of a sovereign country is immoral and frankly, profoundly quite stupid in this day and age.
Lisa, UK

To withdraw UK troops at this stage would be seen as surrender

John Brown, UK

To withdraw UK troops at this stage would be seen as surrender. We could however gain much international support if we were prepared to cease hostilities on condition that the UN is brought in to broker the setting up of a democratic Iraq.
John Brown, UK

Withdrawing is like betraying those innocent people waiting for their last chance to breathe the oxygen of freedom for the first time in 35 years.
Abdullah Alhajri, Kuwait

Mr Cook is mistaken. What would happen to the people of Iraq should the troops be withdrawn?
Anon., England

I say we should withdraw the troops now and concentrate on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and once that is resolved our credibility in the Middle East will be sufficient to tackle Saddam Hussein again.
Karen McMillan, Scotland

Only opportunists oppose the war but support the troops

Naufal, UK

Simply because they are our troops does not mean that we shall support them in murdering foreign civilians. Only opportunists oppose the war but support the troops. I can not even think about supporting someone who commits murder - even if he happens to be my brother. The concept of right and wrong or justice/injustice does not change because of the position of US/UK troops. Hence troops have to be withdrawn.
Naufal, UK

Time and again, when I think about it, I see no reason why our guys should die for American corporate interests.
James, UK

Withdrawing troops does not amount to "capitulation" but a regrouping to reassess our options. The only people who would be embarrassed by this would be "that nice" Tony Blair and his equally unpleasant cohorts at home and abroad.
Tarquin, UK

No, British troops certainly should not be withdrawn

Wayland, UK

No, British troops certainly should not be withdrawn. This war has been raging for just 10 days and the way in which this brief period has been presented as a catastrophe is utterly ridiculous. Certainly the military strategy needs to adapt, but this is normal. We are fighting a war, not playing Ludo.
Wayland, UK

Shame on David Blunkett, putting the future of foreign dictators (something he couldn't possibly be able to gauge in his crystal ball) over the lives of our citizens. I say Robin Cook for PM!
S Revely, York , UK

Yes, it's time for all the troops to go back home. Enough of this blood shed. Nobody knows the exact reason for the war. History has proved that war has never solved any problem.
Ganesh. R, India

Yes absolutely!! Just one look at the confused mess that we've created and are part of is enough to recognise that the anti-war view was right all along. Mr Cook has got it right. We must withdraw now!
Richard, UK