AS A mother of four, with sons aged 22 and 27, I wish to thank Lance Corporal Joe Glenton for the courageous stand he is making against the Afghanistan War.

I would not describe myself as a pacifist, but I have protested against both the illegal invasion of Iraq and this incomprehensible, chaotic and under-funded invasion of Afghanistan. With every news item showing the return to Britain of our dead soldiers, many younger than my own sons, I rage at the irresponsibility of our politicians in continuing to allow this situation to prevail.

Not only are the British people increasingly averse to our involvement in this war, but even the commanding officers are driven to protest publicly about the absence of a meaningful strategy and the lack of equipment. How can we expect any of our brave soldiers to serve in Afghanistan against this background?

I am deeply sceptical about the reasons given by politicians for our presence in Afghanistan. I listen to soldiers who have served there, ordinary people from Afghanistan, journalists who have visited the area, and academics who know the complexities of the Afghan society and economy, as well as activists and campaigners; all the information I hear runs largely counter to the talk of those in power here. Lance Corporal Glenton’s refusal to return to such a destructive situation, which is fuelling anti-British feeling, demonstrates common sense and moral fibre.

Every Remembrance Day we cast back to the First World War and we are aghast at the compliance of our poor soldiers who were swept to certain death by blind obedience to an authority which was not worthy of their trust.

Our soldiers deserve much better than this. The British people deserve better.

Jayne Venables, Clifton, York.