We Must Invade Leeds

On the day we remember the fallen in conflict from our armed services, the focus is closely directed to the Afghan War and our objectives there. I have long argued that we should not pull out of the country, but abandon the objective of westernising a country that is tribal and incapable of being 'normalised' and maintain a single operations base from which we can launch air operations against Al Quaeda targets. This will minimise the risks to our troops, because there would be no need to maintain multiple bases with inadequately equipped foot patrols.

"We haven't done a good enough job of explaining to the public what our strategy is" Sir Jock Stirrup, Head of the Armed Forces - Andrew Marr today. He went on to say that by invading Afghanistan we were taking the fight to the terrorists. Okay, if we follow that logic, we need to invade Leeds:

Shehzad Tanweer, 22, Aldgate bomber
Born in Bradford, lived most of his life in the Beeston area of Leeds. In 2004, travelled to the Pakistani city of Karachi for radicalisation. Detonated bomb on Circle Line killing seven people and injuring over 100, many seriously.

Mohammad Sidique Khan, 30, Edgware Road bomber

Raised in Beeston, Leeds, youngest of six children born to Pakistani immigrants who had taken British citizenship. Following his suicide bombing, a video message recorded by Khan emerged in which he said he was a "soldier" at "war". His bomb, detonated on a westbound Circle Line train, killed seven people and seriously injuring many more. He visited the Pakistani city of Karachi for Radicalisation.

Germaine Lindsay, 19, Russell Square bomber

Jamaican-born British resident Germaine Lindsay raised in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Converted to Islam in 2000, took the name Jamal. Lindsay killed 26 and injured 340 people on a Piccadilly line train.

Hasib Mir Hussain, 18, Tavistock Square bomber

A second generation British citizen whose parents were of Pakistani origin. He grew up in Holbeck, on the outskirts of Leeds, and was the youngest of four children. He was still living with his parents when he died. While still at school, he went on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. He killed 13 people on a bus.

None of these Islamic terrorists ever visited Afghanistan, they were from Leeds and killed fifty four people. Two hundred and thirty four troops have died in Afghanistan - so far.