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Sarah Teather and Brent Liberal DemocratsWorking Hard for Brent |
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Sarah Votes For Gurkha Justice
May 1, 2009 1:48 PM
Sarah Teather voted in parliament for justice for the Gurkhas
Sarah Teather, Brent's local Liberal Democrat MP has joined with fellow Liberal Democrat and opposition MPs to overturn the Government's decision to refuse Gurkha soldiers citizenship.
Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years, loyally fighting for Britain all over the world and receiving 13 Victoria Crosses between them. More than 200,000 Gurkhas fought in the two world wars and in the past 50 years, they have served in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Borneo, Cyprus, the Falklands and Kosovo. Gurkhas were even sent to fight an unpopular and illegal war in Iraq.
Despite the Gurkhas' loyal service to the UK, Gordon Brown and the Labour Government last week announced new rules that would exclude the huge majority of Gurkhas who retired before 1997 from claiming citizenship in the UK.
The Liberal Democrats tabled a parliamentary motion calling on the Government to allow Gurkhas to stay, which was backed by enough Conservative and Labour MPs to defeat the government and force them to think again.
Sarah Teather was the only Brent MP to vote in favour of the motion.
Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, Sarah Teather, said:
"Today's vote was a huge victory for all those who believe in basic fairness and decency. For years the Gurkhas have been treated disgracefully by the Labour government. Surely people who are prepared to fight and die for this country should be entitled to live here?
"The government want to send Gurkhas out to defend us, but then refuse them help in return. But the majority of people in Britain think we should stand up for our friends, not cast them aside.
"It was heartbreaking to see the Gurkhas' hopes dashed by such a cruel government decision last week. The success of this Liberal Democrat motion sends a very clear signal that the government must now do what is right."
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