Moore hails historic victory for Gurkhas (Edinburgh Pentlands Liberal Democrats)

Edinburgh Pentlands Liberal Democrats <nm.gregory@btinternet.com>

Moore hails historic victory for Gurkhas

April 30, 2009 3:00 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Gurkha veterans and their supporters were celebrating yesterday as a Liberal Democrat motion calling for equal settlement rights for all Gurkha soldiers was passed by MPs in the House of Commons. Local MP Michael Moore was amongst those voting for the motion, which was carried by 267 votes to 246.

The Government proposals released last week had been criticised as unduly restrictive, with the Gurkha Justice Campaign estimating that only as few as 100 additional veterans would benefit from the new arrangements. Immigration Minister Phil Woolas has now promised a full review of the existing plans, and will report to MPs before the beginning of the summer recess.

Following the vote, Mr Moore met with Gurkha veterans and campaigners to celebrate the victory. He said: "As Nick Clegg, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said, this is a victory for decency. It is rare in politics to find an issue where right and wrong can be so easily distinguished. The Government was clearly wrong on this occasion.

"The Gurkhas have a proud history, and have provided brave and loyal service to our country for over 200 years. They deserve our respect and gratitude, and have earned the right of settlement in the UK many times over.

"A large number of constituents have been in contact with me about this matter, and their opinions match my own, as well as those of people across the country who simply believe that those Gurkhas who have risked their lives to serve this country should receive not only our gratitude, but the right to remain here.

"After this hard-fought victory in Parliament, the Government must listen and act quickly to scrap their stringent conditions so that all retired Gurkhas have the same rights of residence."

Notes:

1. A photograph of Michael Moore MP and his Liberal Democrat colleagues celebrating with Gurkha veterans and campaigners after the vote outside the House of Commons yesterday is attached.

2. The Liberal Democrat motion on which the Government was defeated is copied below:

That this House condemns the Government's recent statement outlining the eligibility criteria for Gurkhas to reside in the United Kingdom; recognises the contribution the Gurkhas have made to the safety and freedom of the United Kingdom for the past 200 years; notes that more Gurkhas have laid down their lives for the United Kingdom than are estimated to want to live here; believes that Gurkhas who retired before 1997 should be treated fairly and in the same way as those who have retired since; is concerned that the Government's new guidelines will permit only a small minority of Gurkhas and their families to settle whilst preventing the vast majority; further believes that people who are prepared to fight and die for the United Kingdom should be entitled to live here; and calls upon the Government to withdraw its new guidelines immediately and bring forward revised proposals that extend an equal right of residence to all Gurkhas.