Katy Balls Katy Balls

Boris Johnson opens Afghanistan debate to frosty reception

(Credit: Parliament TV)

Boris Johnson opened the debate on the situation in Afghanistan to a packed house. With virtual parliament rules now gone, MPs on both sides crammed into the Commons Chamber to take part in the debate. But the large audience didn’t actually help the Prime Minister. In fact, it served to highlight the criticism the government is facing both from opposition politicians and its own MPs. Within minutes there had been critical interventions from Labour and Tory members. 

Johnson began his statement by looking back on the 9/11 terror attacks, which saw the UK – along with other allies – join forces with the United States to enter Afghanistan. The Prime Minister said the aim was to stop further terror attacks being planned there and to stabilise Afghanistan. Johnson said that ‘we succeeded in that core mission’. He pointed to how terror attacks plotted in Afghanistan had been foiled in that time and training camps destroyed.

Johnson’s attempts to talk up the UK’s achievements didn’t land well with all

However, Johnson’s attempts to talk up the UK’s achievements didn’t land well with all.

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