Thread: Statement due on Gurkha residency today

SHAFTED AGAIN!!!
J.L & supporters very angry & rightly so on Sky News
David Enright sums it up very well!

No link yet, J.L nearly in tears.
According to the lawyer,fewer than 100 Gurkhas can match the Gov's criteria.

These blokes have paid in blood, how many Labour party wonks have served

Campaigners very scathing and vocal against this morally bankrupt government , heard them on 5 live just now. They say it is an utter betrayal of the Gurkhas, and the criteria is such that only several hundred will be able to settle in Britain, not the 4000-plus the government are spouting. Dodgy figures? No change there , then!

Just heard this on BBC 5 Live

Absolutely scandalous - we allow any number of anti-British, anti-democratic wasters in to this country and yet we deny decent rights to the people who have done so much for this country

I will be writing to my MP in the next few days, unlikely it will help, but we must do more......

Odo

Any MP that shows up on Vets. day had better be wearing armoured skiddys as I intend to ream them a new one over this

The McGuinness story and the GDP figures where released to try and hide this.


Government claiming 100,000 people would be able to settle in the UK if they did not have the conditions.

The campaign who I believe say it is only 8,000.

http://www.gurkhajustice.org.uk/

Originally Posted by Odo_de_StAmand

I will be writing to my MP in the next few days, unlikely it will help, but we must do more......Odo

I just have! Are this shower of sh1te in Gobberment are self destruct?

While Smith's husband who gets paid in excess of £40 grand a year from her claims sits in their posh house in the midlands, these very brave men who deserve all the respect we can show then can do nothing under the law of the land, except wonder why did they sake the Queens Shilling?

Because they were and still are far more loyal to Her Majesty than any in Zarnu Neu Arbiet!

Those who left the Army before 1997 were not given the right to automatically settle in the UK after four years' service.

Last year, a High Court judge ruled that the policy excluding older veterans was unlawful and in need of urgent review.

Instead of overturning the ruling, the Government has now decided to allow those soldiers who retired prior to July 1997 the automatic right to live in the UK - but only if special circumstances apply, such as they were injured or were awarded a medal for bravery.

Actress Joanna Lumley, who has backed the campaign, said: "The Gurkhas cannot meet these new criteria. "It makes me ashamed of our government. We will fight on. We don't stop. This has been a setback but that is all."

There are currently around 3,500 serving Gurkhas. More than 200,000 fought during the First and Second World Wars, with 43,000 giving their lives.

Ragprasad Purja, 43, served with the Gurkhas for 17 years. He said: "It is the saddest day for the Gurkhas and the saddest day for the British Government.

"I cannot believe that this Government made such a decision. I was proud of my service but now I am very sad."

David Enright, of Howe and Co solicitors, said: "They have set criteria that are unattainable.

"It's a sham and an absolute disgrace. It's far more restrictive than the old policy."

Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said the changes will benefit around 4,300 more ex-Gurkhas out of a total of 36,000, who retired before 1997.

He said: "This guidance honours the service, commitment and gallantry of those who served with the Gurkhas brigade.

"Where there are strong reasons, there has been scope for Gurkhas who retired prior to July 1997 to apply to settle in the UK.

"In fact, because of rules brought in by the Government, we have already welcomed around 6,000 Gurkhas and family members to Britain.

"We will work with the Ministry of Defence to actively inform those who might be eligible in Nepal of these changes."

The Gurkha brigade was formed following the partition of India in 1947 but Nepalese Gurkha soldiers have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years.

If you want to write to your MP you can do so via this website.

theyworkforyou.com

And I urge that you do.

Originally Posted by tropper66

Any MP that shows up on Vets. day had better be wearing armoured skiddys as I intend to ream them a new one over this

I think that everyone at the Cenotaph in November should turn their back as Brown lays his wreath. That would send a powerful and very dignified message to the rest of the world

Originally Posted by tiger stacker

Those who left the Army before 1997 were not given the right to automatically settle in the UK after four years' service.

Last year, a High Court judge ruled that the policy excluding older veterans was unlawful and in need of urgent review.

Instead of overturning the ruling, the Government has now decided to allow those soldiers who retired prior to July 1997 the automatic right to live in the UK - but only if special circumstances apply, such as they were injured or were awarded a medal for bravery.

Actress Joanna Lumley, who has backed the campaign, said: "The Gurkhas cannot meet these new criteria. "It makes me ashamed of our government. We will fight on. We don't stop. This has been a setback but that is all."

There are currently around 3,500 serving Gurkhas. More than 200,000 fought during the First and Second World Wars, with 43,000 giving their lives.

Ragprasad Purja, 43, served with the Gurkhas for 17 years. He said: "It is the saddest day for the Gurkhas and the saddest day for the British Government.

"I cannot believe that this Government made such a decision. I was proud of my service but now I am very sad."

David Enright, of Howe and Co solicitors, said: "They have set criteria that are unattainable.

"It's a sham and an absolute disgrace. It's far more restrictive than the old policy."

Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said the changes will benefit around 4,300 more ex-Gurkhas out of a total of 36,000, who retired before 1997.

He said: "This guidance honours the service, commitment and gallantry of those who served with the Gurkhas brigade.

"Where there are strong reasons, there has been scope for Gurkhas who retired prior to July 1997 to apply to settle in the UK.

"In fact, because of rules brought in by the Government, we have already welcomed around 6,000 Gurkhas and family members to Britain.

"We will work with the Ministry of Defence to actively inform those who might be eligible in Nepal of these changes."

The Gurkha brigade was formed following the partition of India in 1947 but Nepalese Gurkha soldiers have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years.

Here's a thought, the Queen awards the DCM to the Gurkhas, to the regiments as a whole and backdates it to the First World War that way each and every one of them has been awarded a medal for valour and by God they deserve it.

Originally Posted by Markintime

Here's a thought, the Queen awards the DCM to the Gurkhas, to the regiments as a whole and backdates it to the First World War that way each and every one of them has been awarded a medal for valour and by God they deserve it.

Good thinking.

Where the Gurkhas clearly got it wrong was their unswerving devotion to the UK and loyal service to the Crown. If they'd only held up ships in the Red Sea and been African, or claimed political asylum after being smuggled in by criminals, they'd have been welcomed in with open arms. Doh!!!

Originally Posted by Markintime

Originally Posted by tropper66

Any MP that shows up on Vets. day had better be wearing armoured skiddys as I intend to ream them a new one over this

I think that everyone at the Cenotaph in November should turn their back as Brown lays his wreath. That would send a powerful and very dignified message to the rest of the world

I like this idea and believe that some form of dignified protest signal should be sent by all of us in uniform. An about face at the cenotaph might be difficult to organise BUT, if we can get enough people SAYING they will do it and get media interest in that story, it will create a mass of its own without anyone having to actually do anything that might contravene any 'political staements' by the forces. Similarly, for example, the TA bods could have a mass non attendance of a certain Tuesday training night.

See you all in the Tower!