Well said, Clegg.
If ever there were an identifiable group of foreigners whose immigration should be allowed, it is the Gurkhas. I don't need to explain why; it should be blindingly obvious. The fact that it is not obvious to our Lords and Masters is shameful; literally, shameful.
Clegg has done well to run with this issue, and his jibe at PMQs also succeeded in highlighting what is, at heart, wrong with Brown. The man will run from anything that he cannot guarantee; see the 2007 election-that-never-was and his determination to become PM without ever having to face the uncertainty that comes with democracy. He has no principles; anyone unsure of this should ask how much of the budget was for the benefit of this country and how much was to draw a dividing line with the Tories.
"There is more justice for Gurkhas than there ever was before 1997," said Brown today.
ReplyDeleteIf there's only "more" justice for Gurkhas than before 1997, isn't that more or less an admission that some of the injustice from before 1997 remains?
Woa, woa, woa Patently.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there should be no discrimination towards the Gurkhas. They should be treated in the same way as soldiers from the Commonwealth but maybe, just maybe, none of these ex servicemen and their families should be allowed in, except on the grounds of ill health.
1. We live on an overcrowded island.
2. The Ghurkhas were/are VERY well paid for their duties.
3. The Gurkhas knowingly undertook their commissions.
4. If the Ghurkhas and their families come here, they deprive their homeland of skills.
I think 'one step at a time' is a cop out by Brown, but letting them in is probably not quite as clear cut as you make out.
Albert - far too intelligent a comment, I think. Remember, this is the man that took full responsibility for Smeargate in the same breath as claiming that the "man responsible" had been sacked.
ReplyDeleteMeasured; we may have to disagree here. These men are just the sort we want here; the contrast to Abu Hamza et al could not be more complete. And for those who volunteered to give up their life for us, I think we should damn well find the space on our small island.
I appreciate that this is a loss for their homeland, but that applies to any immigration and is not an argument that is specific to the Gurkhas. In any case, we would not force them to come here, only permit them. If they come, it is their decision to leave their homeland.
Your approach to the question is a structured and reasoned one, though, and as such is far preferable to our current system of immigration (for both Gurkhas and non-Gurkhas).
I'll admit one advantage in not letting them in; it does mean I get to hear Joanna Lumley on the radio more often, which is always a pleasure ;-)