Britain has a moral obligation to all Gurkhas
March 18th, 2008 by Defence Team — Press Coverage, Articles
Ahead of the protest by retired members of the Gurkhas in Parliament Square tomorrow, the Liberal Democrats are today tabling a Bill to give all former Gurkhas the right to live in the UK after they leave the army.
Commenting before tabling his Immigration (Discharged Gurkhas) Bill, Liberal Democrat Defence spokesperson and former Defence minister Lord (John) Lee of Trafford, said:-
“Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords are tabling a Bill which would allow all Gurkhas indefinite leave to remain on the same basis as Commonwealth soldiers.”
“Gurkhas that have been discharged from the army after 1st July 1997 are already entitled to UK residence, my Bill would ensure that all Gurkhas are afforded the same right to live in the UK.”
“Having served our country with distinction, the threat of deportation hanging over thousands of Gurkhas and their families currently living in Britain is a national disgrace.”
Further Information:
1. Exact figures are not available, but it is believed that 3,300 Gurkhas who retired before 1997 are still resident in the UK and would be affected by this legislation.
2. On Wednesday 19th March, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg will be speaking at the protest outside Parliament demanding increased rights for Gurkhas.
22 comments ↓
I too am outraged by this attempt by the government to disregard the exemplary support the Gurkhas have given to this country for more than 60 years. My father served with them during WW2 and could not speak too highly of their exemplary devotion to duty. I am glad the Liberal Democrats are speaking out for proper rights to be given to all Gurkhas living in this country.
Every time one thinks that New Labour can’t get any worse, they go and do something like this. A cynical person might conjecture that they are only doing this so that they can then change their mind and let the Gurkhas stay, hoping that this will make them look like the good guys…
Please pursue the campaign on behalf of the Ghurkas. Their treatment has been a blot on all our histories. I gather a new issue has arisen over the availability of financial support for the families of retired soldiers. This is yet another injustice that has to be corrected.
Rather than deliberately discriminating against the Ghurkas this seems to be a callous cost cutting oversight by the government that, given the ignorance of the cabinet on military issues (not a single member has milotary experience), is hardly surprising
The shoddy treatment of the armed forces is also reflected in a recent MoD annual report that highlighted the disparity in payouts for a civil servant with back strain (£202,000) and a Royal Green Jackets soldier who lost the use of a hand, a leg and suffered internal injuries (£57,587). Looking at issues like these its no small wonder that the military are struggling to recruit.
I’m coming to the end of a Chemistry degree and for a while seriously considered joining the Royal Marines. I thought it would be a good way to contribute to my country and gain valuable experience. However the points raised above; the disregard for the fact that overstretch means incessant postings across the world that have a devastating effect on personnel’s family lives and the failure to compensate for this; and the realisation that if I were asked to participate in, what I regarded as, an illegal war in Iraq I would have to say no, meant that it was a decision I had to renege on. I wonder how many other people have come to the same conclusion as me?
These men fought for our country for you and me, and along side my father during the war in Burmah far east against the Japanese. Show them respect and dignity for all that they have done.
They and their famiies deserve better. [As do our soldiers.]Give them the citizenship that they deserve also.
Mr and Mrs N & j Hunter.
I was always a Labour supporter & voted for Tony Blair when he and his party were victorious in 1997….but I have become totally disillusioned by New Labour (and was NEVER a Tory supporter!) Hence I decided to ‘put my money where my mouth is’ and join this party. And mighty glad I am that I did! We seem to be the only ones with any moral fibre. Of course the Ghurkas must have the freedom to live here if they so wish. Were it not for them and the rest of our forces I would not have the freedom to live my life as I wish….I am continually appalled by many of the ideas our government come up with and the sooner Mr Clegg is running our country, the better!
The Gurkhas have been everywhere for us, their Pipe Bands at Tattoos are part of our society. I knew them in Malaya in the 50’s, more pleasant individuals you could not hope to meet and always acting beyond the call of duty. They are part of The Commonwealth as far as I am concerned and they should have corresponding rights. John Illenden
As a local Liberal Democrat Councillor and born just after WW2 I can remember my parents talking about the support that the Ghurkas gave to Britain. They should be given as much support for their needs as any other individual who served this country well. In a country of Equality and Diversity we should be treating them with the respect that is given to others in this country.
This is a matter of simple justice for our retired Ghurka soldiers - give them the right to stay as a matter of British justice!
It seems like simple justice, and so it is in one way. In another sense a retired Gurkha soldier can do more good back home in Nepal where his pension, experience and skills can make a valuable contribution. Their own country certainly needs them.
Excellent work. Nick Clegg was the only at Question Time who dared raise this question. It is an absolute disgrace that we
heap praise on the Ghurkas,give them medals, ask them to help in all hot spots and fail to give them the money for the job. As for the shortage of recruits it would help if the M.O.D would consider slow and discreet changes in the barriers which divide officers and other ranks
The honour of our country is at stake here: if we don’t acknowledge our enormous debt to the Ghurkas, we’ll be rightly despised by the rest of the world. In the long run, this will undermine our security as well.
i worked along side these indeviduals in the falklands in 1982 when i was in the royal navy.
any one who is prepared to give the ultermate sacrafice to this county which is miles from thier own so we can live free and which these people have for may years must be givern the right to the same pay pension and a good standard of living and more so the right to live in this country than alot of people that already do
such wonderful soldiers, my father fought with them at Monte Casino and always spoke of the high regard he had for them as people and as soldiers.This government is an absolute disgrace and they should hang their collective heads in shame at what they are proposing to do to the Ghurka, I would like to see some of these labour MPs show some of the same loyalty as these terrific fighting men who have sacrificed so much for our country
My family have served in the Armed Forces for generations.My father rated the Gurkhas the bravest soldiers . Do people realize that retired Gurkhas in their own country receive no pension and are entirely dependent of small allowances from the charity organized on their behalf in this country. Of course those who wish to must be able to live in this country.
as usual the british government expect all the common people to do their duty when and where they are needed and as usual they are paid a pittance to add insult to injury when they are no longer needed they are given little or no help as far as i am concerned anyone who fights for the british services deserves to be treated as british this should also apply to their wives and children the government should hang their heads in shame.
A number of implications of the Gurkha position arise. I support the need to treat the Gurkhas in the same way as the rest of the armed forces in the same way that we should support fijian ,west indian troops who fight on our behalf. failure to recognise the contribution of these men and women while we may be able to make our contribution in safety at home is a damning indictment of the cynicism of a morally bankrupt administration which praises financial rewards in the “city” (see hutton ) but fails to recognise one of the foundations onwhich that success is based,
I have recently returned from N ireland where the peace dividend is now paying off ,but these benefits reflect the 30 yr committment of the armed forces in the face of political
inability to determine policy to whom do we owe the rewards?
Yes we should support the Gurkhas, but also anyone else who joins our forces & fights for this country.
Like the Romans we got our foreign soldiers on the cheap. Now we are a Democracy we can do better and reconise their contribution if they served in or for our armed forces for more than three months. Iraquis, Guerkhs Poles etc etc-they should be offered joint Nationality, like the Americans gave to Winston Churchill. When they live here and pay our taxes they should have the vote.
thr gurkers should stay after all plenty of other people are allowed to stay, and they have done nothing for us
the gurkers should be allowed to stay after all plenty of other people are allowed to stay and they have done nothing to help us.
the Guurkas are one of the finest fighting men ever to assist our forces in troubled times to turn them away and accept people who have done nothing for this country must be as low as we can get I say welcome them aboard and treat them with the respect they truly deserve
The Gurkers are known as a fighting forse to be feared they are willing to give up there lives and leave there wives a widow.The eastern europeens do not contribute to this country they can have child surport sent back home and get access to all the same rights that my fore farthers died to bring in to place.Why then can a peorson fighting for (past and present )our Queen and country not recieve the same rights.I say to the gurkers Thanks Thanks and Thanks again fore laying downe youre life and Keep fighting our, thats mine and Youre gouvernment the british.I surport you all the way. Martin Williams
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