Gurkha victory in settlement rights
Bowing to public and political pressure, Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s government has announced a major policy u-turn that will allow nearly 40,000 veteran Gurkha soldiers the right to settle in Britain. The tough Nepalese fighters have been a part of the British army for nearly 200 years and 43,000 lost their lives in the two World Wars.
Actress Joanna Lumley was close to tears as she listened to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith tell the Commons that Gurhkas had equal settlement rights. Ms Smith said: “I’m delighted that we have now been able to agree - across Government, across the House and with the Gurkhas’ representatives - new settlement rights that all those who have served us so well, so highly deserve.”
“Mr. Speaker on the basis of the measure, I have set out today I am proud now to be able to offer this country’s welcome to all who have served in the brigade of Gurkhas and who wish to settle here,” said Smith. “I am sure that all who do come here will make the most of the opportunities of living and working in the U.K., and I am delighted that we now have been able to agree across government, across the House and with the Gurkhas’ representatives new settlement rights that all those who have served us so well, so highly deserve and I commend this statement to the House.”
“Gurkhas love Her Majesty and will die fighting for her, and do die fighting for her,” said Rick Jolly. “They are revered by those who fight with them, and the British public shares that professional reverence.”
Yesterday, the Government appeared, shamefully late, to recognise the extent of that public and professional devotion for these servicemen whose campaign has been led by actress Joanna Lumley. It announced twin concessions to rules unveiled on April 24 that caused outrage because they were so strict that almost no Gurkhas who served before 1997 would be able to retire to the UK.
Members of the Gurkha regiments have won 26 Victoria Crosses. Despite 50,000 deaths, service in the British Army is still the highest goal for many Nepalese. “We have 230 places a year,” said Mr Davies. “We get 18,000 applications.”
And from the Gurkhas, a chant the embattled prime minister has not heard for a while.
“Three cheers for Gordon Brown! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Thank you very much,” said the Gurkhas.
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Comments
WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN ABOVE 18 YEARS OF AGE OF THE GURKHA VETERAN WHO NEED ACTUAL SUPPORT.CRITERIA SET IS NOT JUSTIFIABLE.IT NEED RECONSIDERATION FOR THE FACT.ONLY THOSE GURKHA ENLISTED DURING THE YEAR 1996 ON OR BEFORE THEIR’S CHILDREN WILL BE UNDER AGE OF 18 YEARS OBVIOUSLY CURRENT IMMIGRATION RULES DO NOT BENEFIT THEIR’S CHILDREN OF THOSE GURKHA ENLISTED IN THE BRITISH ARMY ON OR BEFORE 1996 SEEM TO HAVE BEEN IGNORE,NOT SHOWN SENSIBILITY OR RAMIFICATION.HOWEVER THERE IS GOVERNMNT POLICY AND RULES FOR THOSE CHILDREN’S BORN IN HONGKONG ONLY FEW WILL BE AFFECTED/ BENEFITTED.STILL MANY GURKHA VETERAN AND THEIR CHILDREN’S WILL BE RESENTFUL ON THE VERDICT/CURRENT POLICY OF IMMIGRATION RULES RESTRICTING THE RIGHT OF ENTRY FOR GURKHA’S BEFORE 1997.QUOTING EXAMPLE OF VETERAN GURKHA’S EVIDENTLY STRANGE N TREATED SO DESPICABLY.HAD THIS WRONG POLICY/RULES WAS CORRECTED/CAME INTO EFFECT IN THE YEAR 1948 THE GURKHA VETERAN WIDOW’S N THEIR CHILDREN’S WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER POSITION/GOOD LIFE IN UK.WE WOULD NOT HAVE FACE THE BITTER AS ON TODAY OR IN THE FUTURE.STILL THE AMBIGUITY CAN BE RESOLVED.COMMENT BY MR.MOHAN IS APPRECIATED
I ALSO APRECIATE N THANKFUL FOR ALL THOSE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THIS CAUSE.HOPEFULLY EVERYTHING WILL BE RIGHT.GOD BLESS US N GOOD LUCK.
Nothing but I’d like to have news of Gurkhas because of me the son of Gurkha.