It's a disgrace. Lumley has quickly ripped apart the so-called criteria and highlighted the fact that each one of them excludes the majority of the Gurkhas. The criteria are: 1) Three years continuous residence in the UK during or after their service; Lumley highlighted the fact that Gurkhas were not allowed to served more than two years in the UK so that excludes most from this eligibility 2) Close family in the UK; Lumley - they have not been allowed to settle before so how can they have close family 3) A level 1-3 bravery award (including the Victoria Cross, the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross); Lumley - a clear discrimination against most Gurkhas who did sterling service but weren't awarded such medals, as aren't most British soldiers 4) Service of 20 years or more in the Gurkha brigade; Lumley - Gurkha riflemen are only allowed to servce 15 years, and it's the Officers who are allowed to serve 20+, so another exclusionary clause 5) A chronic or long-term medical condition caused by, or aggravated by, service in the brigade. Lumley - how do soldiers who may have been injured or affected in the 1940s, 50s etc prove this now
There is hope for this country yet!!! The Government have been defeated in the Commons vote regarding the right to settle here. BBC NEWS | Politics | Brown defeated over Gurkha rules
I wonder how they will overcome this loss of face as they seem determined to ensure that qualification criteria is not achievable. All I can say is Shame, Shame, Shame Mr Brown. People against their lawful right to live in the UK start with: I am not racist BUT!
I honestly don't get it. The government does the right thing - the popular thing as they would have seen it too - but then makes those utterly ridiculous qualification criteria that less than 5% will be able to meet. This is from a PM who has received a lot of publicity about books he has written about veterans! Of all people he should know better. Hang your head in shame, Brown...but then, you won't because it's not really your problem.
As far as I am concerned Lumley has now become a saint - at the very least she deserves to receive an honour from the Queen. :cheer2: Lumley :cheer2: BBC NEWS | Politics | Lumley in public clash on Gurkhas
Its a rather discerning and unexpected pleasure to open your mail box and see an email with the sender as Joanna Lumley....Sign the petition, or offer help, and you get an email with her name on it....Go on...its worth it just for that.....Look wifey...look who's just mailed me.... Gurkha Justice Campaign
