Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell, speaking yesterday to the Royal United Services Institute:
Our troops are in Afghanistan to keep our country safe from the threat of terrorism. To prevent Al Qaeda having a secure base from which to threaten us directly. But this is not just about the UK's national security. 42 nations are taking part - one of the widest ever international coalitions. It is about their national security too.
No fewer than 42 nations in a coalition fighting the threat of terrorism. If that's not a flying FKATWOT, I don't know what is. Number 27.