SNP CELEBRATE HISTORIC ELECTION VICTORY

PARTY WOULD WIN AT LEAST 27 WESTMINSTER SEATS ON EURO RESULT

The results of the European elections would mean that the SNP would win at least 27 seats at the next Westminster elections, according to an analysis using the Electoral Calculus model, and reinforcing the SNP’s position as the leading party in Scotland.

A national extrapolation of today’s historic result would result in the following number of MPs in Scotland:

SNP - 27
Lab - 15
Tory - 7
LD - 9

In reality, the SNP could do even better. For example, the national extrapolation gives Stirling to the Tories – whereas the SNP won the Stirling Council area in the European elections.

Other highlights from the European elections result in Scotland are:

* The first time the SNP has ever won a UK-wide election in Scotland.

* This is the best result for any party in Scotland in a Euro election since PR was introduced - the previous high point was Labour at just over 28% in 1999.

* Labour’s share of the vote in Scotland is their worst since the 1910 General Election.

* The SNP vote in Scotland is higher than the Official Opposition Tory vote across the UK - 29.1% for the SNP compared to 28.6% for the UK Tories.

The SNP also…

* …won 22 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities – a historic first

* …won in East Lothian – where the seat of Iain Gray - Scottish Parliamentary Labour leader – is located

* …topped the poll in Edinburgh South West - seat of the Chancellor Alistair Darling

* …beat Labour into third place in East Renfrewshire by coming second – the seat of Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy

* …was just 2.8% behind Labour in Glasgow – one of only two councils controlled by a majority Labour administration

Commenting on the analysis and the overall result, SNP leader and First Minister Alex Salmond said:

“The Westminster analysis shows how historic this result is for the SNP. Not only are we up 10 points from the last European election, but for the first time ever we have won a UK-wide election in Scotland. We have also won with a much greater margin of victory than even the Holyrood win two years ago.

“A projection of winning at least 27 Westminster seats is an excellent springboard for the SNP in the run-up to the General Election – which should come sooner rather than later. The key to delivering a strong Scottish voice at Westminster – as in the European Parliament – is a strong SNP vote, and a block of 20 MPs.

“Labour MPs must now be quaking in their boots at the prospect of the SNP winning across their former heartlands.”

The SNP's Euro Campaign Manager Joe FitzPatrick said:

"This result was a massive vote of confidence in the SNP Government, and a rejection of Labour. It shows more people than ever before believe the SNP is on their side, and that voting SNP works.

"We are witnessing a tale of two governments - the SNP under Alex Salmond is demonstrating competence, credibility and success, while Gordon Brown's government dithers its way from crisis to crisis as the Labour Party's vote disintegrates.

“The people of Scotland like what they get from the SNP Government – investment in jobs and services, and action to fight recession, and want more powers for the Scottish Parliament so that we can do even more.

“This is Labour’s lowest share of the vote in Scotland since BEFORE World War 1 and the emergence of the modern Labour Party. And it is an extremely poor result for both the Tories and the Lib Dems, who along with Labour have gone into reverse from the last European election.

“The SNP have won all over Scotland – north, south, east and west - including in Alistair Darling’s seat, in Iain Gray’s seat, and we beat Labour into third place in Jim Murphy’s seat. Of the 32 local authority areas, the SNP have won 22 - an astonishing achievement.”

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.”

(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."