GURKHAS TREATED DESPICABLY BY GOVERNMENT
May 5, 2009 3:32 PM
Nick says, 'I firmly believe if the Gurkhas are prepared to fight and die for this country then they should have the right to remain here. They deserve to be treated the same as their foreign and Commonwealth counterparts, who have a right to indefinite leave to remain after four years of service in the armed forces.
'On 29 April the Liberal Democrats defeated the Government by a vote of 267 to 246, the first success for any opposition motion for more than thirty years and only the third Government defeat in the Commons since 1997. It was a moment of great pride as it appears that the Gurkhas will finally receive the recognition they deserve.
'My party intends to table amendments to the current borders and immigration bill to ensure that the terms of our motion - equal treatment for all Gurkhas - are applied.
'We will though have to be on our guard to ensure that there is no back-sliding on the part of the Government, in the knowledge that the majority of MPs and the public want to see us honour our obligations to the loyal Gurkhas.'
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