Politicians and generals have been struggling to justify the Afghan war after a poll revealed the extent of public opposition. They have put forward different, and at times contradictory, arguments for keeping UK troops in Afghanistan.

An overwhelming number of people believe that Britain is experiencing a moral decline according to a BBC/ComRes opinion poll for The Big Questions, a new BBC belief and ethics programme. 83% of those asked agreed or strongly agreed with that statement, as against only 9% who disagreed.