COLIN Jeffrey (Readers' Letters, October 3) sees British servicemen and women as complicit with Labour and Conservative MPs who voted to invade Iraq.

Some, he says, will applaud them at a homecoming parade, but others "should be equally entitled to boo and throw rotten eggs and fruit at Army, Air Force or Navy personnel".

York Against the War deplores the idea that anger about this war should be diverted from the politicians who are really responsible, against the servicemen and women who, along with the Iraqi people, have borne the terrible brunt of that decision.

As Mr Jeffrey admits, those who joined the military before the war - the majority - had no choice. Those who joined since are mostly young people, who saw the chance of adventure, or a job, and could hardly have foreseen what it would involve.

Many now bitterly resent what they were sent to do. But they have comrades who they must not let down - and even if they want to quit, they can't.

Many service people, and their families, visit our stall in Parliament Street each Saturday to talk, or to sign our petitions to bring the troops home. A large majority oppose their current mission.

Like Mr Jeffrey, we hold politicians chiefly responsible. And to prevent future recurrence, it essential that those most responsible are held to account.

An enterprising ex-member of the Scottish Parliament, Jim Sillars, is working to indict Tony Blair for war crimes before a Scottish court. We have invited Mr Sillars to speak at the Friends' Meeting House, Friargate, York on Tuesday, November 20 at 7.30pm.

John Heawood, Patrick Black, Patrician Brar, Jean Churm, Chris Fuller, Stephen Leah, David Matthews, Bernard Thurlow, Maurice Vassie, Members of York Against the War.

  • AS ONE of the thousands in York who protested against the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, I take issue with Colin Jeffrey.

Ministers and MPs who voted for war never tire of trying to shift the argument on to "supporting our troops" as though it was the soldiers' decision - but it wasn't. Anti-war protesters shouldn't fall for this. In fact, most don't - and the Stop the War Coalition works closely with Military Families Against the War (www.mfaw.org.uk).

War is a political decision, the Government and Parliament must answer for it. The troops aren't to blame, let them return in peace.

Ben Drake, Danum Road, Fulford, York.

  • I WAS disgusted to read Colin Jeffrey's disrespectful comments about our Armed Forces.

As a serving member of the Royal Air Force for the past seven years and having only returned from Helmand Province, Afghanistan, I was appalled to read his comments.

Yes, every soldier does have there own choice in signing the dotted line for Queen and country, but it is also the ultimate sacrifice, for which the troops returning home deserve credit.

I may stress that homecoming parades are not only for the soldiers, but for their families as well, who have been at home worried about their loved ones during their operational tour.

It would promote a sense of pride and morale in our Armed Forces to know the majority of our own nation support and respect what we do.

Yes, some people don't agree with the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, but that is not down to the troops. Can I suggest standing outside Downing Street, instead of wanting to throw rotten eggs at troops on parade.

Mark Cox, Layerthorpe, York.