Lib Dems show support for military covenant and Gurkha
April 7, 2008 1:50 PM
Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg today received medals handed to him from Gurkhas who served in the British Army before 1997 and are being denied a full pension and the right to British Citizenship.(Picture credit: Alex Folkes)
Liberal Democrat Councillors are proposing a council motion on the moral injustice of the Government's treatment towards Gurkha soldiers and its neglect of the military covenant between the Government and the Armed Forces.
The motion attacks the Government's mistreatment of the 22,000 veteran Gurkha soldiers who receive little to no pension, despite having defended the UK in the British Army, and against their forced deportation after serving the country. It calls for the right of Gurkha soldiers to remain in Britain, receive the medical care they require and to have equal pension rights with British soldiers.
Gurkha soldiers who served the British army after 1997 are deemed worthy of British citizenship by the Government, but those who served before then do not receive the same rights, indicating that the Government bases this right on the date from which Gurkha soldiers served, and not on the fact that they risked their lives for a country other than their own. 45, 000 Gurkha soldiers have died serving this country.
The motion defends the military covenant between the Armed Forces and the Government, which is based on a 'duty of care' and designed to give service men and women adequate medical care, equipment and support for the vital role they do. It is based on fair treatment and loyalty to all service men and women.
Liberal Democrat Councillor, Paul Firth, an ex-Officer in the British Army, is proposing the motion at the full council meeting on Thursday. He said:
"Having served in the army, I am fully aware that the Gurkha regiment is a vital part of the British army, and that Gurkha soldiers play an equally vital role as all soldiers. I therefore believe it is a complete injustice that Gurkha servicemen should not be granted the same rights as British soldiers after defending this country at war.
"I will be calling on all councillors to support this motion, which requests that the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Defence, and to our local MPs to request that the Government affirms its commitment to the military covenant, and ends the immoral and divisive treatment currently suffered by retired Gurkha soldiers."
Fulford Cllr Keith Aspden, who is seconding the motion, said: "York has a long-standing affiliation with the army, as we have several army bases here in the city, including Imphal Barracks along Fulford Road, where Gurkha soldiers are based. I hope that Council will agree this motion on behalf of the large number of Gurkha soldiers and their families, as well as other army families, living in York."
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Full wording of motion -
Council notes:
i) there is a major concern from the armed forces, local residents and the country as a whole, that the covenant between the armed forces and the government has been systematically destroyed over recent years, resulting in over commitment of our limited forces, inadequate equipment and a total lack of quality, specialist medical care for servicemen.
ii) York has a long-standing and important affiliation with the army and is currently home to a large number of Gurkha soldiers and their families. The recent decision to stop retired Gurkha servicemen from remaining in the UK and receiving desperately needed medical treatment is a disgrace and should be rescinded.
Council requests that:
i) the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Defence, and to the four MPs for the City of York council area to request that the government affirms its commitment to the covenant with the armed forces, and to call for an end to the immoral and divisive treatment currently suffered by retired Gurkha soldiers.
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