Fighting On For Our Gurkha Heroes

For a number of years our Party has been a major player in the fight to secure justice for Gurkha soldiers. Despite recent concessions from the Government many retired Gurkha soldiers still suffer great injustice.

The valour and dedication to Britain of the Gurkhas is legendary. However, it is still the case that Gurkhas who retired before 1997 are not allowed stay in the UK. Additionally, there are still great injustices on Gurkha pensions.

Nick Clegg MP is using his position on the national stage as Leader of the Liberal Democrats to take the fight for Gurkha justice to a new level. At 10.00am on Wednesday 19th March 2008 he will attend a demonstration of 3,000 retired Gurkhas outside Parliament.

At this demonstration, 50 retired Gurkhas will hand in their Long Service and Good Conduct Medals to Nick and ask him to pass them on to the Prime Minister. For such loyal and proud people to do this is testament to their depth of feeling.

The Lib Dems in the Lords will attempt to bring in legislation to end the injustice caused by the 1997 cut off date for citizenship. The Lib Dem Commons team will table an Early Day Motion and a series of questions to the Home Secretary.

Both BBC and ITV have said they will cover these events and we expect significant interest from the national press. It is our hope that the combination of Prince Harry's service with the Gurkhas, the intense drama of the medal handing in ceremony and the Parliamentary efforts of Nick Clegg and his team will force a major concession from the Government.

Anyone who supports this cause and is able to attend on 19th March, please do consider coming to Westminster and lending your support.