Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Obituaries
  • About
    • Advertise
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

MP pays tribute to British soldiers who died in Afghanistan

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 16:40, Thursday August 19th, 2021.
Last updated: 11:53, Friday September 3rd, 2021

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Caerphilly MP Wayne David has paid tribute to the British soldiers who lost their lives during the war in Afghanistan.

It comes after the Taliban seized power in the country, following 20 years of war.

Speaking in an emergency House of Commons debate on Wednesday, August 8, Mr David paid tribute to fallen British soldiers, including Sergeant Major Michael Williams, from Bedwas, who was killed in a firefight with the Taliban in 2008.

Sergeant Major Michael Williams
Sergeant Major Michael Williams

In his speech, Mr David, who serves as Labour’s Shadow Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, said: “There is, I believe, a widespread consensus emerging in the House [of Commons] that it was a huge mistake to leave Afghanistan in the way we did and in the time we did.

“The question now is what did our Prime Minister say to President Biden to try to dissuade him from this catastrophic course? The House deserves a clear answer to that fundamental question.”

He said there was a danger Afghanistan could “once again become a safe haven for international terrorists we have seen in action in the past”.

Council to offer “appropriate support” to refugees amid Afghanistan crisis

He added: “Let us not forget that one of the first actions of the Taliban was to release thousands of prisoners, many of whom were terrorists. Once a terrorist, it is quite possible that someone will be a terrorist again.

“The Taliban leaders say they have changed their colours, but I have to say that is unlikely. Certainly their public relations have improved, but I doubt fundamentally whether they have changed.”

Mr David also called for British citizens, as well as Afghans who have helped Britain, to be evacuated from the airport in the capital Kabul “as quickly as possible”, and said vulnerable Afghan people should be offered sanctuary – saying it is “our responsibility as a nation” to be “generous in our support”.


Sign-up to our daily newsletter


He urged the UK Government to “re-examine the cuts to our aid budget to give maximum support”.

Meanwhile, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Deputy Leader Jamie Pritchard said the council was working with the Welsh Government and the Home Office to support refugees fleeing Afghanistan.

First Minister Mark Drakeford tweeted: “We want Wales to be a Nation of Sanctuary and we’ll do everything we can to support evacuations from Afghanistan.

“We’re working with the Home Office and councils on preparations to support those who need it.”

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.

Become a member today

Latest News

  • Labour MS David Rees
    Steelworkers face ‘catastrophic’ Christmas pay cutsWednesday, October 15, 2025
  • Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responding to Liz Saville-Roberts' question
    PM quizzed in Commons over why he’s yet to visit Caerphilly ahead of by-electionWednesday, October 15, 2025
  • Bedwas Workmen's Hall is celebrating its centenary year in 2023
    Caerphilly Senedd by-election candidates in BBC Wales television debateWednesday, October 15, 2025
  • Jessica Mason at an event in the Senedd over the summer
    Cancer survivor criticises ‘slow progress’ on care reformsWednesday, October 15, 2025
  • Education
    Welsh Government ‘asleep at wheel’ on ‘flawed’ ALN reformsWednesday, October 15, 2025
  • Sioned Williams MS, Plaid Cymru's shadow social justice secretary
    Hatred towards minorities ‘frighteningly common’ in WalesWednesday, October 15, 2025

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, October 2, 2025
  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Hanbury Road, BargoedThursday, September 25, 2025
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: Pontygwindy Industrial EstateThursday, September 18, 2025
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, September 18, 2025
© 2009-2024 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.