Another Gurkha victory on behalf of the British people.

The Gurkha have fought and died in the name of Britain and her monarchy for 200 years. They fought in WWI and won. They fought for us in WWII against the Nazis and Japanese and won. They Fought against the Argentinians for the Falkland Islands and won. The have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Their latest war has been against a morally corrupt government who have an appalling lack of respect for the people they represent and have at their disposal.

The Gurkha won that war too.

These are people who do not give up and are not afraid to stand up against wrong. We could all learn something valuable from these men. I hope the UK doesn't disappoint them further.

Clegg: Government decision great victory for Gurkhas

Thu, 21 May 2009

Reacting to the Government’s announcement that all Gurkha veterans with four years' service would be allowed to move to the UK, Nick Clegg said he was “absolutely thrilled”.

The announcement outlined rules that will allow Gurkhas and their immediate families who retired before 1997 with four years service to settle here with.

Nick Clegg said; "I am absolutely thrilled that the Gurkhas have finally been given justice."

"This is a great victory for the Gurkhas and for everyone who has campaigned on their behalf."

"Gordon Brown has finally woken up to the principle that people across Britain understand instinctively: if someone is prepared to die for this country, they must be allowed to live in it."

The announcement follows a key House of Commons vote lead by the Liberal Democrats that the Government lost.

The Liberal Democrat Leader went on to say; "Tragically this decision will come too late for many of those brave Gurkhas who have been waiting so long to see justice done."

"Gordon Brown's claim of a ‘moral compass' rings hollow when, on every issue from Gurkhas to expenses, he has to be dragged every inch of the way towards doing the right thing."

Grayling welcomes victory for "basic decency" in Gurkha case

Chris Grayling hailed a “great victory for Joanna Lumley and her well-run campaign” after the Government finally announced they will allow Gurkhas to settle in the UK.

The Shadow Home Secretary applauded the actress for having “publicly embarrassed” Labour Ministers and “reminded us all of the role that the Gurkhas have played in helping defend this country over the centuries”.

And he stressed that the Gurkha case was first and foremost about “basic decency”:

“People from around the world have come to live in this country in the past decade. There was never a justification to deny that right to a group of people who have long lived in the nation’s affections, and who have risked, and often given their lives for its protection.”

Chris said that it was a shame that the Government had to be “dragged kicking and screaming through the Courts and then through the crowds of Gurkhas outside parliament before it finally did the right thing.”

Gurkhas' settlement rights

For many years, the Brigade of Gurkhas have shown bravery, commitment and dedication in serving this country, and continue to do so on operations today.

This Government has done more for Gurkhas than any other. It was the first Government to grant settlement to Gurkhas and the first to equalise pay and pensions, with over 6,000 former Gurkhas and their families already given the right to live in the UK. In April we took steps to increase the number of Gurkhas eligible to come to this country by 4,000 or, including families, 10,000 people.

The House of Commons has now expressed a clear view that all Gurkhas should be entitled to settle in the United Kingdom if that is what they wish.

This Government respects the will of the House of Commons and recognises the strong feeling and public support for this cause. Consequently, we have announced today that all former Gurkhas who served for longer than four years will be eligible to apply for settlement in the United Kingdom. They will also be entitled to bring their spouses and dependent minor children. There will be no time limit on applications.

This scheme recognises the unique nature of the service given to the UK by the Brigade of Gurkhas and is offered to them on an exceptional basis.

We believe that in announcing the new policy today, we have met their concerns and those of Parliament.

Gordon Brown

(Home Office) Gurkhas given right to settle in the UK

All former Gurkhas who have served in the British Army for at least four years will now be eligible for settlement in the UK, the Home Secretary announced in Parliament today.

Under the new policy, those Gurkhas who retired prior to 1 July 1997 and completed four years service can apply to settle in the UK with their spouses and dependent children.

The policy introduced today refers specifically to those Gurkhas who retired before 1 July 1997 and who will now be granted settlement rights under the new scheme. Those who retired after 1 July 1997 are already eligible to apply for settlement under the current immigration rules.

Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith said:

"Generations of Gurkhas have served the United Kingdom with great courage, sacrifice and distinction and they continue to make a vital and valued contribution to our operations around the world.

"We respect the will of the House of Commons on this issue and that is why I have now announced a new policy, the basis of which we have worked on with the Home Affairs Select Committee and Gurkha representatives.

"This means we can now welcome any Gurkha who has served for four years or more to settle in the UK."

In 2004 the Government granted the first Gurkhas the right of settlement in Britain if they served on or after 1 July 1997 - the point at which the Brigade's base moved to the UK. Since then, over 6,000 Gurkhas and their families have been given the right to live in the UK.

The new policy announced will allow settlement rights to be granted to all those who retired from the Brigade of Gurkhas prior to 1 July 1997 with four or more years' service. The new policy reflects the fresh advice of the Home Affairs Select Committee around the numbers of Gurkhas and their families likely to apply under the new rules.

Kevan Jones, Minister for Veterans said:

"The British Army and the Ministry of Defence are determined to do all that we can to uphold our ongoing commitment to the welfare of former Gurkhas, whether in Nepal or the UK. We value greatly the bravery, commitment and dedication which they have shown over many years and continue to demonstrate on operations today."

Joanna Lumley and the Gurkhas, Phil Woolas makes a fool of himself.

"The Immigration Minister muttered that "'I can't say let the nice people in and the nasty people not"." when he got sandbagged once again by Joanna Lumley. But that's why we have an Immigration Minister in the first place." said Nigel Farage, UKIP leader.

"To design and implement an immigration system which lets in the nice people, like the Gurkhas have have shown they are willing to fight and, if need be, die for this country and to keep out the nasty people, like that Romanian rapist.

" I agree that it's difficult to craft such an immigration policy because we've given so much away to the European Union. Very little power remains at Westminster: we British have very little say in who can come to Britain. But we do have some say over the Gurkhas and that's why Phil Woolas has a cushy job, to have that say. Come on Phil, why do you think you get £104,000 a year of our money? To let the nice people in and keep the nasty ones out, isn't it?"