The right thing to do

And finally Gordon Brown's increasingly shambolic government did the right thing and changed its mind when it came to granting settlement rights to all Gurkha veterans who retired before 1997 with at least four years' service who will be allowed to settle in the UK. This was absolutely the right decision on behalf of the Gurkha's who have rightly been described as the bravest of the brave and who have been part of the British Army for nearly 200 years, serving in two world wars and over the last 50 years, in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Borneo, Cyprus, the Falklands, Kosovo and Iraq and Afghanistan. The New Labour Government’s decision follows a highly successful, well organised, well supported and very high profile campaign by Joanna Lumley and other supporters of Gurkha rights and a House of Commons defeat for the Government.

The Gurkha Welfare Trust

http://www.gwt.org.uk

For the record - How Welsh MPs voted on the Gurkhas

When it came to the recent Parliamentary motion on Gurkha's Settlement Rights – 23 Labour MPs voted against the Gurkha's, 5 Labour MPs and two Lib Dem MPs were absent and 10 MPs (3 Plaid MPs, 3 Tory MPs, 2 Lib Dem MPs, the independent MP Dai Davies and Julie Morgan (Labour) voted in favour.

Here's the list in full...

NO – voting against the Gurkhas

1. Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire) Labour
2. Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) Labour
3. Chris Bryant (Rhondda) Labour
4. Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley) Labour
5. Wayne David (Caerphilly) Labour
6. Hywel Francis (Aberavon) Labour
7. Nia Griffith (Llanelli) Labour
8. Peter Hain (Neath) Labour
9. David Hanson (Delyn) Labour
10. Dai Havard (Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney) Labour
11. Kim Howells (Pontypridd) Labour
12. Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) Labour
13. Ian Lucas (Wrexham) Labour
14. Alun Michael (Cardiff South & Penarth) Labour
15. Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) Labour
16. Jessica Morden (Newport East) Labour
17. Paul Murphy (Torfaen) Labour
18. Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) Labour
19. Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) Labour
20. John Smith (Vale of Glamorgan) Labour
21. Mark Tami (Alyn & Deeside) Labour
22. Don Touhig (Islwyn) labour
23. Alan Williams (Swansea West) Labour

ABSENT

1. Martin Caton (Gower) Labour
2. Paul Flynn (Newport West) Labour
3. Siân James (Swansea East) Labour
4. Martyn Jones (Clwyd South) Labour
5. Betty Williams (Conwy) Labour
6. Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire) Liberal Democrats
7. Roger Williams (Brecon & Radnorshire) Liberal Democrats

YES – voting in favour of the Gurkhas

1. Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire) Conservative
2. Dai Davies (Blaenau Gwent) Independent
3. David Davies (Monmouth) Conservative
4. David Jones (Clwyd West) Conservative
5. Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy) Plaid Cymru
6. Julie Morgan (Cardiff North) Labour
7. Adam Price (Carmarthen East & Dinefwr) Plaid Cymru
8. Hywel Williams (Caernarfon) Plaid Cymru
9. Mark Williams (Ceredigion) Liberal Democrat
10. Jennifer Willott (Cardiff Central) Liberal Democrat

Source: The Public Whip

Now when the new Armed Forces Day comes around shortly it might be of interest to note how many of those 23 Labour MPs are busy telling everyone how much they support our Armed Forces, save for the Gurkha's that is.

Gordon - which bit don't you get?

Gordon Brown (and his Government) just don't seem to get it when it comes to justice for the former Gurkha's, who had served in the British Army prior to 1997 - you are nor going to win this one! And why are you even trying to defend the indispensable.

This campaign has been from the outset a question of moral responsibility, of natural justice and of basic human decency, it is not one of immigration or just a question of costs.

I was at a meeting the other night and we got 40 signatures for the Gurkha petition in less than 10 minutes.

The Gurkha's who have fought for this country (for centuries) and have been prepared to die (and have died) for it, they are owed a historic debt, finally will Gordon Brown (and his Government) finally pay up and honour it.

http://www.gurkhajustice.org.uk/

Justice for the Gurkhas

Gordon Brown’s Government’s denial of residency to 36,000 former Gurkha's, who had served in the British Army prior to 1997, was disgraceful and unjust – so much for the moral compass. Fortunately on Wednesday (29th April) the House of Commons (with members from most Political Party’s) rightly voted in favour of a motion to allow equal rights of residency in Britain to all Gurkha's, who have served in the British Army.

While this vote cannot make the Government change its mind, it would be well advised to do so. This has been from the outset a question of moral responsibility, natural justice and basic human decency, not one of immigration or a question of costs. The Gurkha's who have fought for this country and have been prepared to die for it, have been owed a historic debt, now perhaps the UK Government will pay up and honour it.

http://www.gurkhajustice.org.uk/