Why I'm defying military orders to join demonstration

Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, who is facing a court martial because he refuses to return to fight in Afghanistan, will defy military orders from his commanding officer and join the 24 October demonstration. "I am marching to send a message to Gordon Brown. Instead of sending more troops, he must bring them all home. I’m proud to be marching again - this time with Stop the War."

The war in Afghanistan has entered its eighth year. In all that time the politicians who have sent soldiers to the front line have failed to offer any convincing reasons. Morale in the army among the people I served with is at an all time low. The army has always been told “we’ll be home by Christmas” but now we’re told we could be there for 30 years.

I am marching tomorrow to send a message to Gordon Brown. Instead of sending more troops, as he announced last week, he must bring the troops home. He cannot sit on his hands and wait while more and more of my comrades are killed.

I face a court martial because I can no longer serve in Afghanistan. I have given my reasons to the top brass.

But we have to get the message to the politicians. Brown has withdrawn British troops from Iraq and now be must do the same for Afghanistan.

The TV crews will be on the demonstration. And over in the United States Barack Obama’s advisors will be watching.

We need to make our voices heard across the Atlantic. Both to put pressure on the American government and also go give a boost to the stop the war movement there. The reasons we are marching are very clear.

When I went to Afghanistan I believed the politicians. I believed their reasons and I was proud to serve the army and my country.

We were told the war would end the reign of terror under the Taliban for the people of Afghanistan. We would told it would prevent terrorism at home. And they told us that we would help the women of Afghanistan.

We assumed we would be given the equipment to fight. And we were led to believe this would bring democracy and the Afghans would be left to govern. The reality for British troops and the people in Afghanistan cannot be more different.

Soldiers cannot fight a never ending war. There is no end in sight and we cannot see the point. We are not winning this war. The Taliban have taken control of more areas of Afghanistan than they held in 2003. There is more heroin grown than before. And not a single Afghan has launched any sort of terror attack in the UK.

It is now obvious to everyone that the Americans are not interested in democracy. Corruption and violence has been allowed to the heart of a rotten puppet Government. Women are worse off. They live in fear of American bombs killing entire villages and have fewer freedoms.

I’ve been overwhelmed by the support I’ve had, and I’m proud to be marching - this time with Stop the War.

Demonstrate: Bring the Troops Home Now
Saturday 24 October Central London
Assemble 12 noon Hyde Park: March to Trafalgar Square
Join us. We can make a difference