Richard Baum

The Government suffered a symbolic defeat today when MPs voted by 267 to 246 on a Liberal Democrat motion to give all Gurkha soldiers equal right of residence in Britain. The government’s unpopular and unfair plans were vigorously opposed by Lib Dems from the moment they were announced, and I’m delighted that Parliament has backed the Lib Dem plans to give former Gurkha soldiers residence in the UK.

Commenting after the vote defeating the Government, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said:

“This is a historic victory for the Gurkhas who have served our country so bravely.

“This Government has now lost its moral authority. From the first moment I challenged Gordon Brown on this over a year ago, he didn’t understand that there was a simple moral principle at stake.

“People who are willing to die for our country, should be allowed to live in our country.

“The Government must listen to Parliament and scrap these shameful rules immediately and grant justice without conditions to all retired Gurkhas.”

The vote today may just have been smbolic, but it’s caused the government to think again, and rightly so. I look forward to hearing better ideas from them now that they’ve said they’ll look at the issue once more.

Rick