Gurkha Campaign Reaches the Floor of the Commons

Today in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat MP Bob Russell put forward a Ten Minute Rule Bill calling for a change to immigration law which would grant indefinite leave to enter and remain in Britain for Gurkhas.

This is part of a wider campaign to give Gurkhas fairer rights and recognition. Despite being recognised as outstanding and well-respected members of the Armed Forces, and serving in numerous operations around the world, at present many Gurkhas are prevented from claiming equal rights.   

Read more to see the full text of his speech:

Immigration (Discharged Gurkhas) Bill

Mr Speaker,
I bet to move that leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Immigration Rules in connection with the requirements for indefinite leave to enter and remain in the United Kingdom as a Gurkha discharged from the British Army.

The Gurkhas have a unique place in the history of our country and in the hearts of the British people. For around 200 years they – the bravest of the brave – have served Britain with outstanding courage and loyalty.

They continue to play a vital role in today’s Army, both at home and overseas – indeed, only a few weeks’ ago Prince Harry paid tribute to their role in Afghanistan.

Today around 3,000 Gurkhas serve in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, representing more than three per cent of the British Army. Our under-strength, over-stretched Forces would be in a more difficult situation if it was not for the Gurkhas.

Yet, despite their astonishing service, many former Gurkhas are treated disgracefully. To the shame of this country, Gurkhas who left the Army before 1997 are not allowed to stay in the United Kingdom.
My Bill seeks to amend the Immigration Act 1971 to enable Indefinite Leave to be granted to allow them to enter and remain in the UK in a category of “Gurkha discharged from the British Army”.

A small, simple Bill – but one which would speak volumes. It has support in all parts of the House.
To its credit, in 2004 the Government introduced changes which benefit today’s Gurkhas. This is appreciated. Those who retire from the Army can now stay in the UK should they so wish – but the changes do not apply to those who left prior to 1997 because, it is claimed, that before this date they were based in Hong Kong and therefore were not fully part of the UK Forces.

This is outrageous nonsense and an insult to men who served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, serving the UK’s interests in many parts of the world.

It is argued, somewhat insultingly, that Gurkhas who retired before 1997 could not generally show strong enough links to the UK. The hollowness and callousness of this arbitrary cut-off date was illustrated in the most powerful terms when Victoria Cross winner Tul Bahadur Pun was initially denied entry to this country – a man whose loyalty and service to the UK was recognised with the award of the VC for his action in single-handedly storming a Japanese machine gun post during the Second World War in the face of intense machine gun fire.

That act of bravery was not unique. There are countless other stories of bravery by Gurkha soldiers who never served in Hong Kong.

Most of our constituents have great affection for the Gurkhas. That is certainly the case in the Garrison Town of Colchester. I am confident that they share my view that the 1997 cut-off date is not morally acceptable. To add insult to injury, retired Gurkhas living in the UK are now facing deportation – yet soldiers from Commonwealth countries can be granted the right of UK citizenship after only four years service.

The moral case for the provisions of this all-Party Bill are best illustrated with the following example. Mr Madam Gurung served in the British Army for 24 years.

He retired in 1993. He applied for the right to live in the UK, but his application was refused by the Home Office. All he wants to do is work as a bus driver or security guard here in the UK. Currently he lives in 1-bedroom accommodation in Tonbridge awaiting news of his Appeal. He is prevented by law from working, and subsists on hand-outs from concerned friends.

Is this the way a man who served in the British Army for 24 years should be treated?

Many other former Gurkhas are going through the same tortuous process of immigration appeals. They are living, destitute, in limbo, never sure of their future. Forbidden from working, they are not even second-class citizens in the country which they served so loyally for many years. They are relying on the charity of friends, comrades and neighbours. It is a disgrace that some of our former soldiers have been condemned to such a life.

In any survey or poll, the massive overwhelming majority of citizens want the right to British citizenship extended to the pre-1997 retirees. The retired Gurkha community in this country is hard working and entrepreneurial. The Government need have no fears about them in any way being a drain on the public purse. The reverse is the case – they would be net contributors. Experience in areas where they have settled clearly shows their hard work and high standards of citizenship add positively to our economy and our culture.

The numbers involved are small in terms of the number of people who annually migrate into the UK. It is estimated that there are about 1,000 retired Gurkhas in the UK awaiting results of Appeals.
Back in Nepal, it is considered that most elderly retired Gurkhas would wish to remain living there. Best estimates of the maximum number of retired Gurkhas who may possibly want to come here is under 10,000.

British people are frustrated and angered at the unfairness. They do not understand why the Government will not allow this relatively small number of people, all of whom have served in the British Army for a number of years, to live here.

The sentiments and provisions of this Bill transcend party politics. The Gurkhas enjoy wide support across the House, and across the nation.

The situation is becoming more urgent by the day. A few weeks’ ago, outside Parliament, along with some other Members I witnessed 50 retired Gurkhas – in protest at the way they are being treated – handed in their Long Service and Good Conduct Medals. There was extensive coverage in newspapers and on television. The sight of such a loyal, brave and dignified people being pushed to such a desperate act filled me with a sense of shame.

This Bill seeks to give voice to what I believe is the will of the British people. Let the Gurkhas stay.
I commend this Bill to the House.

Bob Russell’s Bill is backed by:

Ann Widdecombe
Don Touhig
Nick Harvey
Patrick Mercer
Paul Keetch
Paul Burstow
David Drew
Andrew Mackinlay
Andrew Rosindell
Mark Pritchard
Bruce George