6. Do you support the immediate withdrawal of troops? Yes No
Please elaborate further on your answer:
Please elaborate further on your answer:
SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVES, Gavin Brown, Edinburgh Southern Candidate
No responses have been submitted yet.
SCOTTISH GREENS, Steve Burgess, Edinburgh Southern Candidate
Although this would need to be done in a considered fashion now that our troops are already there, we would support withdrawal, however support and influence may be needed to ensure that the people of Afghanistan can freely choose positive ways to run their own country.
SCOTTISH LABOUR, Paul Godzik, Edinburgh Southern Candidate
This is a matter for the UK Government. However, I personally believe that a power vacuum would leave Afghanistan in an awful position, with significant implications for the wider region.
SCOTTISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS, Mike Pringle, Edinburgh Southern Candidate
I fully support the immediate withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. I do not believe that British troops should have been sent there in the first place. As foreign policy is under the jurisdiction of the Westminster Parliament, MSPs have no direct influence over an issue like Afghanistan. However, as an MSP I would continue to raise the issue with my colleagues in Westminster, and argue strongly for the withdrawal of UK troops from Afghanistan.
I fully support the immediate withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. I do not believe that British troops should have been sent there in the first place. As foreign policy is under the jurisdiction of the Westminster Parliament, MSPs have no direct influence over an issue like Afghanistan. However, as an MSP I would continue to raise the issue with my colleagues in Westminster, and argue strongly for the withdrawal of UK troops from Afghanistan.
SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY, Marco Biagi, Edinburgh Central Candidate
Not immediate. I support withdrawal in a relatively short timescale, handing over responsibilities to the Afghan Government. I did not oppose the original intervention. It was carried out with UN backing and had a justifiable objective. The great tragedy of Afghanistan was that the West did not invest sufficiently in reconstruction, nor show sufficient sensitivity to the local population, nor require sufficient standards of the administration put in place. As a result the Western intervention has been seen as a crusade, and is now probably causing as much harm as it is
preventing.
Not immediate. I support withdrawal in a relatively short timescale, handing over responsibilities to the Afghan Government. I did not oppose the original intervention. It was carried out with UN backing and had a justifiable objective. The great tragedy of Afghanistan was that the West did not invest sufficiently in reconstruction, nor show sufficient sensitivity to the local population, nor require sufficient standards of the administration put in place. As a result the Western intervention has been seen as a crusade, and is now probably causing as much harm as it is
preventing.
SCOTTISH SOCIALIST PARTY, Colin Fox, SSP National Spokesman and Lothians List Candidate
The Scottish Socialist Party continues to be at the forefront of the opposition in this country to Britain’s ongoing occupation of Afghanistan. For 10 years now Britain has been occupying a country guilty of no crime. Some 50,000 innocent Afghan civilians have been killed as well as 360 young British soldiers. This is pointless war which not only shows no sign of ending but involves Britain occupying a country that doesn't want us to be there and it causes immense damage to Britain’s international reputation. This does nothing to make the world a safer place and we should withdraw immediate as we are part of the problem not its solution.
7. What can you pledge to do, if elected, to help end the war in Afghanistan?
7. What can you pledge to do, if elected, to help end the war in Afghanistan?
SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVES, Gavin Brown, Edinburgh Southern Candidate
No responses have been submitted yet.
SCOTTISH GREENS, Steve Burgess, Edinburgh Southern Candidate
Although this is not an issue that Members of the Scottish Parliament have a direct say in (as it is a matter reserved to Westminster) we would call on the UK Government to bring about a swift end to our involvement and support campaigns to this end.
SCOTTISH LABOUR, Paul Godzik, Edinburgh Southern Candidate
This is a matter for the UK Government, and for members of the Westminster Parliament.
SCOTTISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS, Mike Pringle, Edinburgh Southern Candidate
Same answer as above.
Same answer as above.
SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY, Marco Biagi, Edinburgh Central Candidate
The SNP supports an end to the intervention.
SCOTTISH SOCIALIST PARTY, Colin Fox, SSP National Spokesman and Lothians List Candidate
I will continue to advocate withdrawal and do all I can to marshal the huge majority of people in this country now opposed to this awful occupation.
The SNP supports an end to the intervention.
SCOTTISH SOCIALIST PARTY, Colin Fox, SSP National Spokesman and Lothians List Candidate
