NOW that the Iraq war has started, thanks in part to Enfield's trio of New Labour MP's, those of us who campaigned against it will be advised from many quarters to stop protesting so as not to "stab our boys in the back."

Although this is an understandable argument, especially when it is put by people who have sons and daughters in the forces, it is wrong. The protests should continue, in even greater force.

Every moment that British forces remain alongside the Americans, makes it more likely that Britain will be embroiled in World War III. As Iraq is demolished, and the Arab world humiliated, while Israel's behaviour in Palestine goes unchecked, more and more angry young men will want to become terrorists. This means that we, not just our servicemen, will be in the front line.

And as soon as American big business has got Iraq under it's thumb, they will look for somewhere else to attack. Not Korea it has no oil. Maybe Iran, or somewhere in central Asia.

By protesting against the present war, we are trying to make it less likely that British servicemen and women will die in the next one.

Near where I live, the Edmonton War Memorial testifies that it is always working-class areas that bear the heaviest burden of bereavement and suffering when Governments take us to war.

In 1914 they said it was the war to end all wars, but Bush and Blair are going one better - this is just the beginning of a whole series of wars. The protests must go on.

HOWARD MEDWELL,

Enfield Socialist Alliance.