The financial problems facing the British taxpayer, with the erosion of our standard of living, destruction of the NHS and social services, and fines for everything except breathing (though I would not exclude that possibility) is a direct result of the trillions of pounds our governments have spent on enforcing sanctions, invading and occupying Iraq.

There is no valid reason why our troops are still there - other than to protect the financial and safety interests of the building contractors, who are mainly American, who are making a fortune from rebuilding what it has cost the people of this country billions of pounds to destroy.

And let's not forget the vast fortunes that are being made from the ability to control oil supplies.

This is an absolute disgrace, sheer madness, and it is certainly not in our interests.

We must be mad to allow this to continue Raquel Wheatley St Matthews Grange Bolton