From Cllr Frank McManus

Sir, — General Sir Richard Dannatt (Features, 8 October) questions the Iraq venture, but falls back by saying that the elected UK Government “decreed that we should do it; we did it.” Hitler’s generals could have said the same of the Wehrmacht’s moves in the 1930s.

Tony Blair had no mandate from the voters, and Labour’s settled post-war policy had been to act within the United Nations, which did not hap­pen. We were failed not only by the headstrong Prime Minister, but also by most MPs in both main parties.

It is a pity that the General was not asked about pacificism, on which St Paul was crystal-clear. Jesus taught that all who take the sword will perish by it.

The General is concerned for de­fence, and his keenness for conflict-prevention is welcome; yet it seems compromised by his acceptance of national armed forces, which, un­like UN police-contingents, are (to quote seven Lambeth Confer­ences) “incompatible with the teach­ing and example of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

FRANK McMANUS
Locksley House
97 Longfield Road
Todmorden OL14 6ND