Government must go ahead with the right decision

Posted By: Peter Clegg
Date Posted: 06/05/2009

I am writing this diary entry with a heart full of pride and elation.

Last week, the Liberal Democrats in Parliament defeated the Government by a vote of 267 to 246 in favour of allowing retired Gurkhas the right to settle in the UK. This was the first success for any opposition motion for more than thirty years and only the third Government defeat in the Commons since 1997.

As an ex military serviceman myself, I know all about the unconditional commitment the Gurkhas have given to our nation and I cannot believe this government’s abhorrent treatment towards them.

I’m a firm believer in what our leader, Nick Clegg MP, has said which is, “If you are prepared to fight and die for this country, you should be allowed to live hear.”

My only worry is that I now see the Government has refused to confirm it will be supporting the House of Commons decision. I’ve always known this Labour Government doesn’t have much time for democracy (we currently have an unelected Prime Minister for goodness sake) but this is totally unbelievable. You’ve really got to start questioning Brown’s grip on reality at this point. After all, he’s only ignoring Parliament, the British people, the Sun, Mirror, Mail, Express, Times, Telegraph, Joanna Lumley, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives (even if they were late to the campaign).

I also notice that Jim Dobbin MP not only abstained from the vote but is quoted in the news section as saying that this decision will cost the British tax payer up to £1.5Billion. What planet is he living on? If he had gone to the debate he would be aware that this figure was totally taken out of context. It is like estimating the potential migration from the rest of the European Union as the entire population, because every EU citizen can work anywhere in the EU. It takes no account of the high living standards enjoyed by most discharged Gurkhas in Nepal and hence the attractiveness of staying in their country. In fact, just 1350 Gurkha soldiers who retired before 1997 have lodged appeals to be allowed to stay in the UK. The potential cost of £1.5Billion that Mr Dobbin mentions regarding the settlement of Gurkhas is therefore ridiculous. I must point out however how surprised I am to read that Mr Dobbin does seem to think that spending £5Billion on ID Cards is a justified expense.

I’d like to believe that this Government will not wriggle out of supporting the nation’s decision because in my view, it is an honour that we have these brave men serving this great nation in the first place.