cont: greater terrorism on our streets.

"Nor do I think we can continue with the present level of uncertainty about the future of our deployment in Afghanistan."

Mr Joyce did not doubt Mr Brown's commitment to Britain's armed forces, but said that "there seem to me to be some problems which need fixing with the greatest urgency".

He said: "I think we must be much more direct about the reality that we do punch a long way above our weight, that many of our allies do far too little, and that leaving the field to the United States would mean the end of Nato as a meaningful proposition."

Ministers faced a "critical time for Labour and Defence". Mr Joyce stated: "It should be possible now to s...

cont: greater terrorism on our streets.

"Nor do I think we can continue with the present level of uncertainty about the future of our deployment in Afghanistan."

Mr Joyce did not doubt Mr Brown's commitment to Britain's armed forces, but said that "there seem to me to be some problems which need fixing with the greatest urgency".

He said: "I think we must be much more direct about the reality that we do punch a long way above our weight, that many of our allies do far too little, and that leaving the field to the United States would mean the end of Nato as a meaningful proposition."

Ministers faced a "critical time for Labour and Defence". Mr Joyce stated: "It should be possible now to say that we will move off our present war-footing and reduce our forces there substantially during our next term in government."

The Falkirk MP protested over "behind-the-hand attacks by any Labour figure on senior service personnel" and called for members of the armed forces to be given "greater latitude to voice their views". He said: "Most important of all, we must make it clear to every serviceman and woman, their families and the British public that we give their wellbeing the highest political priority."

Mr Joyce also lashed out at the contribution from Nato allies in Afghanistan, and raised doubts over the recent Afghan elections. "We also need a greater geopolitical return from the United States for our efforts. For many, Britain fights; Germany pays; France calculates; Italy avoids," he wrote.