South East Lib Dems Back Gurkha Justice Campaign

12.02.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Apr 2008

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg being presented with Gurkha medals at a recent protest in London [Picture: Alex Folkes / fishnik.com]

South East Region Liberal Democrats have backed a motion adding their strong support to the Gurkha Justice campaign call for a fair deal for all Gurkhas on residence and pensions. The conference in Ashford on Saturday 30th March backed the motion, which was supported by ex-Gurkha Folkestone Town Councillor Dhan Gurung who spoke in favour of the motion.

The motion passed read:

Conference noted that retired Gurkha soldiers are subject to injustice in terms of pensions and the right to live in the UK.

Conference calls on the government to:

a) Give all retired Gurkha soldiers the right to citizenship of the UK after 4 years of service irrespective of the date they retired and in line with the rights offered to soldiers from commonwealth countries.

b) Grant all Gurkha soldiers a fair pension based on year for year parity with their UK counterparts.