Articles and Speeches

Justice for the Ghurkas
05-May-09, Bracknell News

‘As MP for a garrison constituency, I am always mindful of the dedication and professionalism of our armed forces.  

One part of the Army much in the news recently has been the Gurkhas from Nepal.  These almost legendary soldiers have proved their calibre time and time again over 200 years, with 50,000 battle fatalities and many battle honours and Victoria Crosses to their credit.

Their cause has been superbly championed by Joanna Lumley, whose father’s life was saved by a Ghurka in Burma during WWII.  Widespread public support for the Gurkhas led to the Government’s first defeat in a Commons vote since Gordon Brown became Prime Minister and I was delighted to play my part.

Bizarrely, the Government claims that allowing in Ghurkas will damage its immigration policy.   It’s a bit of a cheek to run a virtually uncontrolled immigration policy for 10 years, yet specifically reject a group of men who have risked their lives for this country!

It is reassuring that that, with a Conservative Government, the presumption would be that pre-1997 Gurkhas should be allowed to settle in the UK. This would be achieved with a new tier within the Points-Based System which allows a specified number of visas for non-UK ex-servicemen.  This would deliver a worthy deal for former Gurkhas whilst allowing public finances to cope.

This unseemly episode emphasises, once again, that the government is tired and out of touch with the British people.’