MP Damian Collins describes cuts to Gurkhas as regrettable!

I don't know about you, but I was shocked to hear that further cuts to our Gurkha forces are due to take place in a further rounds of cuts to our front line services.

The Gurkha regiments were hit hard last year, and they are being hit hard again, with 276 soldiers being made redundant from Shorncliffe barracks alone, and a further 80 losses in Maidstone.

The MOD has made the decision to cut front line soldiers from our ranks. What sort of decision is this? Because of a short term financial crisis, this decision has long term implications.

Don't get me wrong, I know the MOD has to make cuts the same as everyone else at this point in time to aid the national recovery. However, to take front line soldiers, and soldiers that are recognised the world over as some of the bravest seems madness. The same madness that has left us with aircraft carriers, and no aircraft, another well thought through decision.

Imagine my surprise when interviewed on local radio, along with the MP Damian Collins, whose reaction to this was that it was 'regrettable' Yes, that's what Mr Collins said, this was regrettable!

Where is our MP when it comes to standing up for his constituency of Folkestone and Hythe. Where is our MP in his understanding of what this will do to the local economy. Where is our MP when it comes to fighting for the people who elected him and what is best for the area we call home.

I think it's time the people of Folkestone and Hythe had an MP who will fight their corner, and not bow down to party policy, when it is fundamentally damaging to this area.

Along with these points, we need to remember, that some of these brave soldiers, who have just returned from Afghanistan, may well not have served 4 years service. They may have been prepared to lay their lives on the line to serve this Country, but may be in a position where they do not receive a pension, and they will not have the right to reside here.

Mr Collins is hoping that the cuts will be made through voluntary redundancies. Well I have news for our MP, Gurkhas don't volunteer for redundancy.

Their motto is "Better to die than be a coward" They are highly trained and highly skilled soldiers, whose aim is to serve this Country, and give up their lives if need be. Does this sound like they are going to volunteer for redundancy? Simple answer, NO.

And all our MP can say, is that this is regrettable.

All I can say, is that this just isn't good enough. We expect more from our MP

When it comes to regrettable Mr Collins, your response most certainly is.