IF BRITAIN goes to war with Iraq, servicemen and women, including Reservists, from West Devon ? whether in the Navy, Royal Marines, Army or Royal Air Force ? will be directly involved, putting their lives at risk. For what? We do not know.

During my nearly 20 years? experience as an infantry officer, I was taught that war was a matter of last resort. War on Iraq is not. I am writing to John Burnett MP, the Bishop of Exeter and the Prime Minister, adding my voice to those who oppose war with Iraq.

Opinion polls show consistently that there is no appetite for a war on Iraq among the majority of British voters. Several senior Church of England bishops ? including the new Archbishop of Canterbury ? are opposed to any such war.

The debate about war in Iraq must not stop just because Mr Bush and Mr Blair are preparing for war. They cannot find a trigger for this conflict.

The House of Commons has given no mandate to go to war. West Devon voices against war on Iraq can make a difference ? if those voices continue to speak out. They can come together too, at the meetings in Tavistock with Bruce Kent on January 14 and 15.

There is still time for our leaders to reflect on the appalling dangers of a war, before we find ourselves fighting it, before local service parents, sons and daughters put their lives on the line.

There are dangers, too, for the Iraqi people, who have for years suffered unspeakable horrors at the hands of Saddam Hussein.

Under the guise of coming to the rescue, any British/American action will kill many Iraqi civilians. That may not be the intention of the military attack, but it will be an inevitable consequence.

Yet all these doubts and fears are hopelessly under-represented in the House of Commons.

Some Labour Cabinet members have private doubts about the war. Several senior Conservatives are uneasy too. Liberal Democrats raise questions.

I urge all those who have any doubts about the war to join me in a New Year?s resolution for peace ? Give Peace a Chance in 2003. Write to anyone who can influence the decision to go to war ? before it is too late.

Alex Wood

4 Kilworthy Hill, Tavistock