I WOULD like to respond to the letter from Andy Newman (May 29) concerning the issue of punishment for members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces for going AWOL and the British military presence in Iraq.

Firstly, I wish to point out that this is not a letter supporting the Iraq invasion, but a response to the far left socialist claptrap that Mr Newman attempts to peddle.

I, personally, believe that most, if not all troops have a conscience, but we do not have conscription in this country and every member of the Armed Forces has willingly agreed to join and must know that at some time their country will call upon them to fight in its name, irrespective of the motives for that decision.

The following of orders is paramount for the individual and the safety of comrades.

If we allow troops to opt out at their discretion we will see more troops killed and allow anarchy to break out and the defence of our realm could be put at risk.

Mr Newman is right that the life sentence for going AWOL is too harsh and harps back to the First World War firing squads.

I know from reading Mr Newman's literature that anarchy is something he strives for, but does he really support putting our country at risk?

AMY SMITH

Rodbourne,Swindon