Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, running the country whilst David Cameron takes two weeks off for paternity leave after his two week holiday in which his wife gave birth (thank God fathers in Britain don't get 16 months off like they do in some other European nations), visited Afghanistan yesterday.
His visit was in secret following reports that the Taliban tried to assassinate David Cameron during his visit to Afghanistan earlier this year by shooting down his helicopter.
Liberal Democrat Clegg hailed the extraordinary bravery of Our Boys and Girls during the visit and told them they were "turning the corner" in the war against the Taliban, that they WILL be home by 2015 and that it was time for Afghan politicians to build a peaceful and prosperous country.
He told troops at Camp Bastion in Helmand, there had been "complete transformation" in the last couple of years.
However, Clegg has been hit by some bad news. A YouGov poll has shown that support for the Liberal Democrats is at an all-time low of 11%. The Tories, the LibDems' coalition partners, are on 43% and Labour are on 38%.
Clegg: Be brave ... like Our Boys
Praise ... Clegg with soldiers on surprise trip to Camp Bastion in Helmand Province
By GRAEME WILSON, Deputy Political Editor
1st September 2010
The Sun
NICK Clegg yesterday urged politicians to show the same courage as British troops to bring peace to Afghanistan.
The Deputy PM hailed the "extraordinary bravery" of Our Boys and Girls on a surprise visit to them.
He told them they were "turning the corner" in the war against the Taliban and WILL be home by 2015.
And he said it was now time for Afghan politicians to seize the chance to build a peaceful and prosperous country.
He told troops at Camp Bastion in Helmand, there had been "complete transformation" in the last couple of years.
He said: "I was in Nad Ali this morning - two years ago we barely had a footprint there. Now the district governor's telling me he knows of young Taliban fighters putting down their arms to participate in a peaceful life.
"I think you are turning the corner, and what you are doing is creating the space for Afghan society to find its own feet.
"The task for us politicians now is to show the same courage that you have shown, because you in a sense have created the space where we can do the work to create a political settlement."
Mr Clegg's trip was disrupted when Afghan president Hamid Karzai unexpectedly pulled out of a joint press conference in Kabul. No official reason was given. But sources said Mr Karzai was "tired" after fasting for Ramadan.
Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg also visited the British base at Shawqat in the Nad Ali district. That was where PM David Cameron was heading earlier this year when his helicopter was diverted to avoid Taliban assassins.
* SUPPORT for the Lib Dems has hit a new low of 11 per cent, a YouGov poll for The Sun shows, with the Tories on 43 per cent and Labour 38 per cent.
thesun.co.uk
His visit was in secret following reports that the Taliban tried to assassinate David Cameron during his visit to Afghanistan earlier this year by shooting down his helicopter.
Liberal Democrat Clegg hailed the extraordinary bravery of Our Boys and Girls during the visit and told them they were "turning the corner" in the war against the Taliban, that they WILL be home by 2015 and that it was time for Afghan politicians to build a peaceful and prosperous country.
He told troops at Camp Bastion in Helmand, there had been "complete transformation" in the last couple of years.
However, Clegg has been hit by some bad news. A YouGov poll has shown that support for the Liberal Democrats is at an all-time low of 11%. The Tories, the LibDems' coalition partners, are on 43% and Labour are on 38%.
Clegg: Be brave ... like Our Boys
Praise ... Clegg with soldiers on surprise trip to Camp Bastion in Helmand Province
By GRAEME WILSON, Deputy Political Editor
1st September 2010
The Sun
NICK Clegg yesterday urged politicians to show the same courage as British troops to bring peace to Afghanistan.
The Deputy PM hailed the "extraordinary bravery" of Our Boys and Girls on a surprise visit to them.
He told them they were "turning the corner" in the war against the Taliban and WILL be home by 2015.
And he said it was now time for Afghan politicians to seize the chance to build a peaceful and prosperous country.
He told troops at Camp Bastion in Helmand, there had been "complete transformation" in the last couple of years.
He said: "I was in Nad Ali this morning - two years ago we barely had a footprint there. Now the district governor's telling me he knows of young Taliban fighters putting down their arms to participate in a peaceful life.
"I think you are turning the corner, and what you are doing is creating the space for Afghan society to find its own feet.
"The task for us politicians now is to show the same courage that you have shown, because you in a sense have created the space where we can do the work to create a political settlement."
Mr Clegg's trip was disrupted when Afghan president Hamid Karzai unexpectedly pulled out of a joint press conference in Kabul. No official reason was given. But sources said Mr Karzai was "tired" after fasting for Ramadan.
Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg also visited the British base at Shawqat in the Nad Ali district. That was where PM David Cameron was heading earlier this year when his helicopter was diverted to avoid Taliban assassins.
* SUPPORT for the Lib Dems has hit a new low of 11 per cent, a YouGov poll for The Sun shows, with the Tories on 43 per cent and Labour 38 per cent.
thesun.co.uk
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