Our aim is always to minimise casualties and to separate a hardline Taliban from those who have been caught up in the insurgency.

The last thing we want to do is to go into an area and inflict unnecessary civilian casualties. One is too many.

We cannot allow Afghanistan to become again a haven for terrorists who inspire, plan and provide support for attacks like those of 11 September 2001, of 7 July 2005 in London, and more.

I'll tell you what I do have: I have a good feel for ordinary people, for politics, and those are my strengths. I understand, I hope instinctively, where many of our Armed Forces come from.

Failure in Afghanistan would have profound consequences for our national security. It would undermine the NATO alliance structure that has been the bedrock of Britain's defence for the last 60 years... I will not allow this to happen on my watch.

Despite the increasingly presidential style of political leadership in our country, teamwork is essential.