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The recent tragic and grievous losses suffered by our troops in Afghanistan have reopened the debate about whether it is right that we should be there and whether our forces are getting the support and equipment they need.

The debate has not, I’m afraid, been as open and straightforward as it should have been. One example is the recent argument that our forces do not have the helicopters they need and that the lack of them has contributed to some of the losses we have suffered.

I do not think there can be any reasonable dispute on these points. If the head of the British Army has to borrow an American helicopter to travel around on his last visit to Afghanistan it is absolutely obvious that we haven’t got enough of them. And if our forces have to travel around on the ground because of the lack of helicopters it is, alas, obvious that they will be more vulnerable to the improvised explosive devices placed by the roadside which have killed so many of them.

It is no answer to this to assert, as the Prime Minister has repeatedly done, that the lack of helicopters would have made no difference to the most recent casualties. No-one has argued that they would prevent all deaths. They would certainly have prevented some. And every single one of our soldiers’ lives is very previous to us. That is why they must get the equipment they need, including helicopters.

The argument over whether we should be in Afghanistan at all is more finely balanced. Some two years ago I made a speech in the House of Commons in which I argued that two things were necessary if our mission was to succeed.

First, our allies needed to increase the contribution they make. This does not apply, obviously, to the Americans and one or two others – the Dutch, Danes and Canadians spring to mind. But it is clear that we are all shouldering a disproportionate burden that should be more fairly and evenly spread.

Secondly, a determined attempt needs to be made to curb the endemic corruption which is so prevalent throughout the country.

Sadly, these conditions have not been met. But rather than give in and go home I think we need to make a renewed effort to achieve these objectives. To leave the country to the Taliban and Al Qaeda would make us here at home less safe.

That is the ultimate justification for our presence in Afghanistan. And I believe it remains valid today.