Stop the War meeting

Speech by Cllr John Howliston, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats delivered to Public meeting at Montague Hall, Hounslow on Tue 20th Feb 2007

I speak as the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the Hounslow Council.

In 1954 I was sent to Korea as a gunner in the Regular Army to serve as a United Nations Peace-keeper. I went because my number, rank and name went up on the board!

I didn't know much then about any 'United Nations mandate' but we were sent out because of a desperate cry for help to the United Nations from South Korea.

In 2005, over half a century later, I and forty other veterans returned to South Korea on a re-visit. We were greeted with applause and with every welcome. As the lady courier on our coach said to us, "Thank you for saving my father and mother".

After I had finished my regular army service, I joined the Royal Army Medical Corps (Volunteers), eventually becoming a Warrant Officer. My old medical unit is now the 256th (City of London) Field Hospital. I understand that it is serving its third tour of duty in Iraq. These T.A. soldiers will do their duty and do it well. But they, and their Regular Army comrades deserve better than to be made the victims of an illegal war and thus be made subject to the whims and fancies of a deluded Prime Minister, who just wanted to strut about the world stage.

Our soldiers need to be brought back home as soon as possible.

They deserve nothing less.

Thank you.