1st May 2009

MP wrong to betray Gurkhas

 

Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Gordon Henderson, has attacked local MP, Derek Wyatt, accusing him of betraying the Gurkhas. Mr Wyatt joined all but one Kent Labour MPs  (Bob Marshall-Andrews) in supporting the Government against a move by Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs to allow retired Gurkhas to settle in Britain.

 

The Government’s view was that only Gurkhas who fulfilled certain qualification criteria should be allowed to become British citizens, however, campaigners calculated that this would exclude all but about 100 ex-servicemen.

 

Despite Mr Wyatt’s support, the Government lost the vote and will now be expected to introduce measures that reflect the will of Parliament, and the vast majority of the British Public.

 

Mr Henderson said:

 

‘I thought the response from the Government was quite pathetic. How can you put qualifications on “sacrifice”?  

 

‘These brave soldiers fought for our country. Some of their comrades died for our country and I was pretty disgusted to see that our local MP was one of those who betrayed the Gurkhas.

 

‘For the Government to say there is no room in Britain for all the Ghurkhas who want to settle here is quite scandalous. If we need more space then let’s kick out some of those who spend their time running our country down and giving succour to the terrorists who threaten us on a daily basis.’