I READ with interest Bernadette Gallagher's letter about quitting the Labour Party.

That is, without question, her right as a British citizen. But I, for one, will make sure my vote for Tony Blair will be counted in the next election.

I have read many reports and articles, letters etc, that British people do not back this war. Well, I hate to break it to them -- I'm British and I back this war. I would like people to stop generalising about the country's population, pro-war or otherwise.

This is not about oil, neither is it JUST about WMD. This is about ridding the Iraqi people from a regime that has systematically committed evil crimes to their own people. Anyone who has been to Amnesty International's website would agree that this regime's activities, while in power, have been nothing short of diabolical.

I think it is sad that it has got to this, but, unlike the UN, the US and Britain had to draw a line.

As a result, Saddam's days are numbered.

So, yes, Mr Blair, you have my vote. I often wonder about how much the PM knows about world events that would be not in the best interest to tell the general public. Mr Blair must be under immense pressure at this time. He is a family man, he is no warmonger, unlike some people would like you to believe. So I think I can safely say that he didn't make this decision "off the cuff".

The entire world based its political system on that of the British, so it can't be all that bad. We should be standing together at this time, if not for the Government, for our service men and women. They are the ones, and their families, who need our support. Whatever the British people think of our Government will come to light at the next election, but that is then, this is now. Show our troops some unity!

M Worswick

Tonge Moor

Bolton