Ghurkas Vote

[Neko Bazu]

I know it was only a symbolic vote, but I'm glad to see parliament voted in favour of the Ghurkas being allowed to live here As far as I'm concerned, if you're willing to die for our country, you deserve a place here!

The following are the Labour MPs who rebelled - glad to see Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) is still voting for the people, and not the party

Dianne Abbott
Ian Cawsey
Harry Cohen
Jeremy Corbyn
Paul Farrelly
Mark Fisher
Neil Gerrard
Kate Hoey
Kelvin Hopkins
Joan Humble
Glenda Jackson
John McDonnell
Shona McIsaac
Andrew MacKinlay
Gordon Marsden
Bob Marshall Andrews
Julie Morgan
Nick Palmer
Stephen Pound
Nick Raynsford
Andy Reed
Linda Riordan
Alan Simpson
Andrew Smith
Paul Truswell
Keith Vaz
Robert Wareing
Mike Wood

With any luck, this result can be carried over into a binding act sometime in the near future

(As a side note; could any replies keep related to the Ghurkas, as opposed to "Better them than illegals" etc? I'd like to keep the positive vibe )

[MagicalUnited]

I feel they should be able to live here.

[derbiean]

Aye im pleased bout the vote so far considering wat they have done (and continue to do) for our country, its the absolute minimum they deserve.

[GeoFox]

Was happy this vote was passed - just an opposition day debate mind, so it has no impact on policy though the government should have to change it now I would think.

If you're a supposedly left-wing government and you've got the mail, sun and express berating you for being too harsh on an immigration-related issue, you're probably on the wrong side of the debate.

[Neko Bazu]

Apr 29, 2009 21:32:53 GMT -1 @derbiean said:

Aye im pleased bout the vote so far considering wat they have done (and continue to do) for our country, its the absolute minimum they deserve.

I suppose one could argue that given the current state, it's fairer to keep them out

But seriously, I agree entirely - they've seen, done and risked things in our country's name that average Joe on the street wouldn't dare dream of. The very least we could do is let them live here. I would argue in favour of them receiving an equal pension to the rest of our armed forces too, but one step at a time, hey?

[Neko Bazu]

Apr 29, 2009 22:01:08 GMT -1 GeoFox said:

Was happy this vote was passed - just an opposition day debate mind, so it has no impact on policy though the government should have to change it now I would think.

If you're a supposedly left-wing government and you've got the mail, sun and express berating you for being too harsh on an immigration-related issue, you're probably on the wrong side of the debate.

That's the point I'm really optimistic about - parliament (and so, in theory, the nation) has spoken, and said that the current arrangement is far from what we want. Ergo, it should be the Prime Minister's duty to resolve this issue.

That's a very good point! ;D Hadn't thought about that before now, but it's true!

[PureOldGold]

I say we have a Twenty20 game of cricket to settle this matter.

[Neko Bazu]

Ghurkas vs MPs? I'd pay to see that, especially if the Ghurkas are allowed to use the tricks they learnt in service

[derbiean]

Apparently our much loved pm will do the right thing makes me laugh that they claim letting them stay here wud be too expensive however theres always enuff money for them to send us to war wen the fooking yanks need their hands held

[Neko Bazu]

The ghurkas are in!

uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20090521/tuk-gurkhas-win-fight-to-settle-in-uk-6323e80.html

Gurkha champion Joanna Lumley proclaimed "the Gurkhas are coming home" after the Government finally relented on settlement rights.

The actress hailed the "brave" decision by Prime Minister Gordon Brown after he opened the door to thousands of retired soldiers.

Campaigners reacted with jubilation after the announcement by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith that all Gurkha veterans with four years' service would be allowed to move to the UK.

Surrounded by the heroic Nepalese warriors, Ms Lumley, whose later father was an officer in the Gurkha regiment, led the cheer of "Ayo Gurkhali" - "the Gurkhas are coming".

Choking back tears she said: "A great injustice has been righted. The Gurkhas are coming home. I would like to pay tribute to Gordon Brown the Prime Minister, a brave man who has made today a brave decision on behalf of the bravest of the brave. This is a fantastic day for my brothers and sisters."

She was informed of the decision at a breakfast meeting with the PM. It follows a two-year legal and political battle for equal rights for those who retired before 1997, when their base moved from Hong Kong to Kent.

Last month campaigners reacted with fury at Home Office rules which they said would allow only 100 more Gurkhas, mostly officers and medal-winners, to live here, but would exclude ordinary infantrymen.

The tide turned firmly in their favour last month when the Government lost a key House of Commons vote to Labour backbenchers, the Tories and Liberal Democrats. Despite the result not being binding, ministers were forced to launch a review.

Ms Lumley then cornered Immigration Minister Phil Woolas in a television studio to quiz him about letters sent to Gurkha soldiers appearing to suggest their appeals had been rejected.

The announcement was widely applauded. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, whose party led the Commons campaign said: "I am absolutely thrilled that the Gurkhas have finally been given justice."

I wouldn't call the decision 'brave' on Gordon Brown's part - he was forced into it, really - but regardless, it's good news!

(You might even say it's absolutely fabulous news)