THE reading in the Commons of the names of British troops killed in Afghanistan during Parliament’s summer recess made for grim listening yesterday, not least because too many of them came from Worcestershire.

The roll call of 37 names was a stark reminder to the politicians who send our soldiers to war of the human cost of their decisions.

Meanwhile, defence chiefs have welcomed the prime minister’s announcement of an increase in the number of British troops to 9,500.

They say the decision gives them the number of troops they believe is required in the ongoing battle against the Taliban. The Government still needs to explain to the people of Britain exactly what its strategy is in Afghanistan – and most importantly whether there is a viable exit strategy.

There have been gloomy predictions of British forces remaining in Afghanistan for decades. If that is the case then the Government – and whoever wins next year’s election – knows well enough that waning public support will eventually evaporate.

A new opinion poll shows that while the majority of voters still back Britain’s operations in Helmand more than a third now want our forces to come home.

That figure represents an increase of seven per cent in less than a month. If such a public response continues it will become difficult for any government to continue sending troops to Afghanistan.

More needs to be done to explain to the public exactly why we are in Afghanistan and the conditions that need to be met to facilitate the withdrawal of our troops.

It does not matter who holds the keys to 10 Downing Street. They cannot afford to lose public support on this issue.