UKIP: 'British forces have been deployed in a series of conflicts that seem to have worsened'

UKIP’s recently released manifesto criticises previous government’s deployment of armed forces to Afghanistan, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Libya and Iraq, while maintaining the ‘war on terror.’

The current government has proposed military action in Syria and authorised air strikes over Iraq to target the Islamic State, yet in spite of this Iraq and Libya are much more dangerous places today.

“These interventions have stretched the UK’s Armed Forces to the limit and damaged our reputation in the international community,” states the manifesto. “They have caused social problems here at home and jaded the British public’s attitude towards involvement in future conflicts.”

The manifesto goes on to say that whilst we should stand alongside our allies, troops cannot be committed to conflicts “at the drop of a hat.” We must uphold our commitment to NATO but our parliamentary democracy should be consulted before committing the taxpayer or our forces.

The rise of Islamic extremism is at the forefront of “existential threats” around the world and “is possibly the most important battle of our generation.” The battle against this ideology is best fought at home against our own problems with radicalisation and incitement to terrorism.

Whilst UKIP want to see peace in the Middle East, sectarianism fuelled by western intervention “has rendered this all but impossible within a generation.”

UKIP want a peaceful two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.