Gurkhas granted right to live in Britain

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May 21

Gurkhas granted right to live in Britain

(Joanna Lumley with Gurkha VC veterans Lachhiman Gurong (left) and Tul Bahador Pun/Image © John Stillwell/PA)

What’s happening?

Gurkhas have been granted the right to live in Britain in a dramatic u-turn by the government. About 36,000 Nepalese soldiers who left the British Army brigade before 1997 had previously been refused citizenship. Ministers were forced to rethink following the government’s humiliating defeat in the Commons last month. Veterans will now be given the same settlement rights as Commonwealth soldiers who fought on behalf of the UK.

What are people saying?

In a statement to the Commons at 12:15pm today, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said all Gurkhas who retired before 1997 and served more than four years would be able to bring their spouses and children with them to Britain. There will be no time limit on the policy and resources will be made available to the UK Borders Agency. "I'm delighted we have now been able to agree new settlement rights that all of those who have served us so well rightly deserve," she said. Gordon Brown previously said he had a “great deal of sympathy and support” for veterans. “I believe it is possible for us to honour our commitment to the Gurkhas and to do so in a way that protects the public finances,” he said during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.

Why should we give a damn?

The original policy was “blatantly discriminatory,” said Labour MP Martin Salter, who chaired a group of MPs calling for Gurkhas’ rights. In an interview with BBC News, he said the campaign had “encapsulated the British sense of fair play.” Joanna Lumley spearheaded the campaign, famously cornering Immigration Minister Phil Woolas in a TV studio after veterans’ applications were rejected. Speaking after today's announcement, she said: "This is a day for celebration. A great injustice has been righted." The actress also paid tribute to Gordon Brown: "a brave man who has made a brave decision on the bravest of the brave."

Your thoughts?

Gurkha factfile:

Gurkhas have been part of the British Army since 1815, when the British East India Company signed a peace deal allowing it to recruit from the ranks of the former enemy following the invasion of Nepal
The name ‘Gurkha’ comes from Gorkha, a feudal hill village in what is now western Nepal
Four Gurkha regiments were transferred from the Indian Army to the British Army following the partition of India in 1947
Members of the Gurkha brigade have fought on Britain’s behalf all over the world, receiving a total of 13 Victoria Crosses
The major units of the Brigade today are The Royal Gurkha Rifles (two battalions), The Queen's Gurkha Engineers, Queen's Gurkha Signals and The Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment
The soldiers still carry their traditional weapon into battle: an 18-inch long curved knife, called the ‘kukri’
Gurkhas are still chosen from the hills of Nepal, with more than 28,000 young men competing for 200 places each year
The selection process is one of the world’s most gruelling: aspiring Gurkhas have to run uphill for 40 minutes carrying on their backs a wicker basket filled with 70lb of rocks

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12:29 PM | Blog it | News and politics

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	sharon paynewrote: I would much rather have the Gurkha's here then all the millions of useless immigrants who have flocked to our shores. The Gurkha's have been outstanding in their defence of this country and have earned the right to be part of it. The large families who come from countries that don't pay them loads of money to procreate come here to do just that!!! I'm sure if I lived on benefits I'd be quite happy to recieve lots of money for simply lying on my back! I'm sure my husband would enjoy that too. But as it is, we don't and so have kept our children to a meagre two - that's what we can (just) afford. Oct. 24
	Antoniowrote: The Gurkha's are secretly controlling the United Kingdom. June 12
	Antoniowrote: It's a secret organization that allows the Gurkha's total control over the UK. They even speculated that the Gurkha's for thousands of years were the secret real rulers of the United Kingdom. June 12
	Antoniowrote: I've read in a recent article that the Gurkha's are really in control of the United Kingdom, similar to a Stalin like control of the UK June 12
	Frankwrote: I am so glad that this has now been resolved, the Gurkhas have as many have said served around the world and have served our country with there lives so well, they still serve. This act will give them the rights they deserve as we retired soldiers expect our govenment to respect all soldiers who have served there country. 'What ever colour'. May 28
	Chris Barrettwrote: Gurkhas are unique. I have worked with them abroad and they are so honest, loyal and faithful to the UK and her people, it is unbelievable. Gurkhas do not question their superiors like the British soldier; if they are given a job to do, no matter how life-threatening, they will do it. In my estimation they are SAS with knobs on. May 27
	No namewrote: Furthermore, much more! How many of the immigrants(the ones below - useless, illiterate, .....) are legal?? And the demands they make. Just explain to me how does a Somali, Afghan, Bangladeshi ....., illiterate pirate or a peasant , who has never done a stroke for England, but knows about the gold paved streets, end up, with his whole extended family, in the Croydon Immigration Department??! And gets a fully furnished house, TV, perhaps even a car? And never works(because as he will eloquently , through an asigned social worker, explain to you and me, he is not allowed, and does not want to) They have better benefits than the MPs! If you are not careful there will be the Sharia law in England soon. Leave the Gurkhas alone. They do not want to change the law, they want recognition of their priceless service. Wake up!! Get rid of the illegals and there will be housing and Social services galore. May 27
	No namewrote: Well, perhaps I should have corrected my typing! But I will not retract my statement, esp. not the one about the useless immigrants. May 27
	No namewrote: Stop moaning about the Gurkhas! Just think how, when and where they were, and are used! Whos scacerd the Argentinians s.....s? Who is always!! on the fornt line? The battering ram? See Afghanistan, Burma, Iraq.... Yes, just go to Afghanistan, say no more!!! There are only a few of them, even with their families, and they deserve it, unlike the countless thousands, if not millions now, of useless, unskilled, illiterate, lazy, immigrants that are sucking the system dry. Do you want them to stay???? Yes, pity about the Chindits, they did not have Joanna Lumley and Co. to fight for them Kiss you, Joanna (if you allow me) May 27
	bristlewrote: This is the old story of fooling most of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time. At the moment there are 6 million families on council house witing lists including those who lost their homes during the recession. Allowing the Gurkhas to settle here is just to add massively to that burden. Lumley hasnt thought it through properly unless she personally is going to support them (I dont think so) so once again the taxpayer will be footing the bill. Lumley is without doubt a self seeking IDIOT May 23
	Lizwrote: most of the negative comments are about how much it is going to cost us tax payers. I'm sure there are many Burma Star Vets who did not live long enough to claim their pensions (I know my Dad didn't) Im sure they would not object to the tax and National Insurance they had paid over many year being used to support the Gurkhas. Anyone else who's Dad would feel the same May 22
	Jameswrote: Legally they have no rights to stay as they all signed agreements regarding their terms of service in the British army. Morally, I believe that if they want to stay they have more right that many that are already here. They have proved their loyalty in blood and effort and I am happy to welcome them. We have other groups living amongst us that fail to accept our philosophy and of whom 70% would not fight to keep Britain free from agressors. We have people guilty of genoside that seek asylum and we take them in. Are we nuts? May 22
	Arto Kaymakwrote: now all we need is our brave soldiers.... can walk with pride & honour in Brittain without some silly councellor interfearing :-)) May 22
	Arto Kaymakwrote: best thing i read lately.. I am gratefull personally to oanna Lumley.....amazing what Perdy can DO :-)) my heart is with you darlin May 22
	glenn williamswrote: Great news. At a time when patriotism is at a low, these guys show us all what it should mean to be British. These guys deserve all the rewards that come with being British, in fact a lot more than many living in this country do. glenn williams west midlands May 22
	Michael Chittenden-Steedwrote: As a former serving solidier who has been on many a military course with these fine men, who are more dedicated to this country than to a whole lot of them imigrants. Well done Joanne, as for that person who did not put a name to his or her remarks, you have no bottle. Ali.B. please be carefull i have been to court fo saying less than your comment, all the same you are right. Welcome home lads after a long struggle. To all of our lads in of the trouble spots of the world keep yer heads down and good luck, come home safe and sound. an ex former 28th-61st. May 22
	dan hendersonwrote: Im a serving soldier an have worked with the Gurkha's on numerous occasions.....they're damn good soldiers and if they can fight for our country and put their livs on the line for our country then they deserve to live here.They swear a pledge of allegence and they do deserve to stay here. A fine body of soldiers and spot on lads....amen to letting th stay herethey deserve every right they're given.....They deserve it more that the majority of dossers and doll wasters that take the tax payers money and alot of them are form this country and its purely becuase they cant be arsed and feel they have the right to waste our time and money..... May 22

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