Reply to: Ghurka Update

[threaded]

The issue is quite transparent to me: the current government see these chaps as unlikely to vote for them, so they'll fight the risk that they may get to vote all the way.

I look forward with gladness to the emails of this self evident truth being eventually leaked.

The Gurkhas could easily alleviate government concerns by the application of a brown envelope or two to display their heart felt desire to vote for any piece of rubbish wearing a red rosette.

Fighting through the courts is just not the way things get done any more.

[AtW]

Considering shortages in infantry it is crazy to have such policy towards people who have demonstrated their loyalty over such a long period of time - they did not jump away when British Empire broken up too, which takes some serious loyalty.

[Incognito]

I've had the pleasure to serve alongside the Gurkhas as well as with the Fijians from the Black Watch and I'd quite happily take 5 million of them and their relatives than a weasel like Cybertw@t.

If they're good enough to take the Queens Shilling then they're good enough to call compatriots.

[Not So Wise]

Yet more naive waffle from somebody who totally misses the point.

You mean you have a point beyond right wing BNP style fear mongering?

[EternalOptimist]

This debate has got nothing to do with how good the Gurkhas are, or how scary they are. Anyone who serves in HM armed forces should be given full rights including the right to settle.

[Cyberman]

And anyone with any sense laughed at HMG when they said 13k, hell UK had more than that living here illegally at the time

Next, "fought with us" is not the same as "fought for us in our armed services", you serve a country in that manner the very least the country can do for you is grant you citizenship if you want it. (pretty much like the French do with the Legion)

Now your "fear" seems to be millions of Nepalese gukha relatives flooding the country, well two things, entire population of Nepal is only 28 million, which is tiny, so little chance of that happening. And unlike Poland, which was hop skip and jump from the UK, allowing the poles to easily go back to see families, Nepal is half way around the world and so poor majority could never afford the plane fares, huge difference between being a few hours away from home for work and able to go visit whenever you want for under £100 and being halfway around the world and only able to see your family once a year if you can afford, more likely only once every few years

Plus except for their children none of the relatives would be entitled to citizenship anyway without going though normal process's, not even the wives. Exact same as if you married a nepalese woman (or any other non eec country) she would not not be entitled to live in this here without going though process's

Yet more naive waffle from somebody who totally misses the point.

[Not So Wise]

And anyone with any sense laughed at HMG when they said 13k, hell UK had more than that living here illegally at the time

Next, "fought with us" is not the same as "fought for us in our armed services", you serve a country in that manner the very least the country can do for you is grant you citizenship if you want it. (pretty much like the French do with the Legion)

Now your "fear" seems to be millions of Nepalese gukha relatives flooding the country, well two things, entire population of Nepal is only 28 million, which is tiny, so little chance of that happening. And unlike Poland, which was hop skip and jump from the UK, allowing the poles to easily go back to see families, Nepal is half way around the world and so poor majority could never afford the plane fares, huge difference between being a few hours away from home for work and able to go visit whenever you want for under £100 and being halfway around the world and only able to see your family once a year if you can afford, more likely only once every few years

Plus except for their children none of the relatives would be entitled to citizenship anyway without going though normal process's, not even the wives. Exact same as if you married a nepalese woman (or any other non eec country) she would not not be entitled to live in this here without going though process's

[Menelaus]

If you have ever had any close contact with anybody who is in the Army you will know just how much respect the Ghurka's receive. They are one of the very few units whose reputation scare the living tulip out of anybody who fights against them. Your average Ghurka rifleman shoots to marksmen standard after their initial rifle training, and they are quite willing to constantly throw themselves into harms way no matter what the cost.

Anybody who says they have joined just so that they can get a British passport is a ******* idiot, we don't just let anybody from Nepal join the Ghurka's we select them based upon ability. They are some of the most dedicated and committed soldiers in Her Majesty's Armed Forces and they aren't even British national's, why the hell shouldn't they stay in this country after everything they have done for us.

This decision is an absolute farce and another indication of just how low the labour government has got. Anybody with half an ounce of sense should be able to create a specific clause to allow the Ghurka's to settle in this country after they have served thier time without opening the floodgates to anybody and everybody (which is pretty much what seems to happen at the moment anyway).

WHS.

Additionally (and I don't know as a fact that this is still the case, but it was for many years), the Brigade of Gurkhas traditionally provided the demonstration companies at Brecon and RMAS (Sandhurst) - this would give you some kind of a view as to the level of commitment and sheer ability that these chaps show.

Also: the average infantreer in the Army at the moment wouldn't have to go far to get to a careers office; these guys walk / run at altitude up to 200 miles (anecdotal) to get to a recruitment / selection event - and even then most don't get taken.

[realityhack]

If you have ever had any close contact with anybody who is in the Army you will know just how much respect the Ghurka's receive. They are one of the very few units whose reputation scare the living tulip out of anybody who fights against them. Your average Ghurka rifleman shoots to marksmen standard after their initial rifle training, and they are quite willing to constantly throw themselves into harms way no matter what the cost.

Anybody who says they have joined just so that they can get a British passport is a ******* idiot, we don't just let anybody from Nepal join the Ghurka's we select them based upon ability. They are some of the most dedicated and committed soldiers in Her Majesty's Armed Forces and they aren't even British national's, why the hell shouldn't they stay in this country after everything they have done for us.

This decision is an absolute farce and another indication of just how low the labour government has got. Anybody with half an ounce of sense should be able to create a specific clause to allow the Ghurka's to settle in this country after they have served thier time without opening the floodgates to anybody and everybody (which is pretty much what seems to happen at the moment anyway).

[Cyberman]

Anybody with half an ounce of sense should be able to create a specific clause to allow the Ghurka's to settle in this country after they have served thier time without opening the floodgates to anybody and everybody (which is pretty much what seems to happen at the moment anyway).

They cannot amend the Human Rights Act !!!!

[Ardesco]

If you have ever had any close contact with anybody who is in the Army you will know just how much respect the Ghurka's receive. They are one of the very few units whose reputation scare the living tulip out of anybody who fights against them. Your average Ghurka rifleman shoots to marksmen standard after their initial rifle training, and they are quite willing to constantly throw themselves into harms way no matter what the cost.

Anybody who says they have joined just so that they can get a British passport is a ******* idiot, we don't just let anybody from Nepal join the Ghurka's we select them based upon ability. They are some of the most dedicated and committed soldiers in Her Majesty's Armed Forces and they aren't even British national's, why the hell shouldn't they stay in this country after everything they have done for us.

This decision is an absolute farce and another indication of just how low the labour government has got. Anybody with half an ounce of sense should be able to create a specific clause to allow the Ghurka's to settle in this country after they have served thier time without opening the floodgates to anybody and everybody (which is pretty much what seems to happen at the moment anyway).

[realityhack]

So now you are talking about restrictions. Showing some sense at last.

Ok. I gave you a chance.

[Cyberman]

Ok, on the off-chance the logic escaped you:

I refer to foreign national ex-servicemen and women who have served the minimum term in the forces.

Not whole populations en masse.

If they wish to apply for residency for their spouses/dependents, let them follow due process.

HTH

So now you are talking about restrictions. Showing some sense at last.

[realityhack]

Ok, on the off-chance the logic escaped you:

I refer to foreign national ex-servicemen and women who have served the minimum term in the forces.

Not whole populations en masse.

If they wish to apply for residency for their spouses/dependents, let them follow due process.

HTH

[Cyberman]

I did, which is why I asked you to clarify your viewpoint.

So you would allow the 'needy ones' (whatever that means) right to remain then? What about all the Ghurkas who have served the minimum (I think it's 4 or 6 years) in Her Majesty's Forces? How would that be 'millions'? Even if you opened it up to all other living foreign nationals who have served in the forces?

It is millions because it opens the door to other countries that served with us. You obviously did not read my posts properly, as I have now repeated this many times.