National Shame

This Government’s treatment of the Gurkha veterans is nothing short of a national disgrace (read about it here).

These brave warriors from the kingdom of Nepal have served the United kingdom with honour and distinction for more than 250 years. In the First World War alone some 200,000 Gurkhas fought across the globe, suffering 20,000 casualties and earning over 2,000 bravery awards. In all conflicts since serving this country since 1857 there have been 26 Victoria Crosses awarded to Gurkha soldiers.

My own uncle, then an RSM in the Royal Marines (serving onboard HMS Belfast) fought alongside the Gurkhas in the Korean War and could not speak highly enough about his comrades in arms.

And yet, our Government refuses to grant the veterans unconditional equality on pensions and residency rights with other British Army veterans claiming that we would be inundated with veterans draining our resources and over-burdening the NHS. So, while we continue to turn a blind eye to illegal immigrants, have given carte blanche to members of the European Union and seem unable to stem the steady increase in economic migrants and political refugees, we seem unable to look after our own. Unable to look after those who were prepared to and indeed have sacrificed everything in the service of our Queen and country. Shame on you Gordon Brown. Shame on you Britain.

Please follow this link to the Campaign for Justice being lead by Joanna Lumley and sign the petition.

UPDATE – GOOD NEWS

Ministers defeated in Gurkha vote

The rules on Gurkhas entering the UK were changed last week The government has lost a Commons vote on its policy of restricting the right of former Gurkhas to settle in the UK. MPs voted by 267 to 246 in favour of a Lib Dem motion that the government should extend an equal right of residence to all Gurkhas. Earlier Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said the current policy, announced by the government last week, was “shameful”. Gordon Brown said earlier he wanted justice for the Gurkhas but any policy change had to be affordable.