CLEGG CRIES VICTORY as LIB DEMS DEFEAT GOVERNMENT ON GURKHAS

1.39.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 30th Apr 2009

The Government suffered a symbolic defeat today when MPs voted by 267 to 246 on a Liberal Democrat motion to give all Gurkha soldiers equal right of residence in Britain.

In the Liberal Democrat Opposition Day Debate in the House of Commons , MPs of all parties were called vote on last week's decision to limit the number of retired Gurkhas who can stay in Britain.

Joanna Lumley and a large group of Gurkhas demonstrated outside the House of Commons while the Liberal Democrats continue the fight inside Parliament.

Commenting, Nick Clegg said:

"People who are prepared to fight and die for our country should be entitled to live here. Yet even this basic principle is broken by this out of touch and morally bankrupt Government.

Before the victory Clegg made the following statement

"Our debate will force the Government to come and explain its insulting decision to turn its back on these brave soldiers. MPs of all parties will be able to vote against the Government and force Gordon Brown to back down, even at this late stage.

"Gordon Brown has a chance to rediscover his moral compass and reverse the betrayal of these loyal veterans. I invite MPs of all parties to join with the Liberal Democrats in seeking justice for the Gurkhas

The texy of the motion debated during the Liberal Democrat Opposition Day:-

That this House condemns the Government's recent statement outlining the eligibility criteria for Gurkhas to reside in the United Kingdom; recognises the contribution the Gurkhas have made to the safety and freedom of the United Kingdom for the past 200 years; notes that more Gurkhas have laid down their lives for the United Kingdom than are estimated to want to live here; believes that Gurkhas who retired before 1997 should be treated fairly and in the same way as those who have retired since; is concerned that the Government's new guidelines will permit only a small minority of Gurkhas and their families to settle whilst preventing the vast majority; further believes that people who are prepared to fight and die for the United Kingdom should be entitled to live here; and calls upon the Government to withdraw its new guidelines immediately and bring forward revised proposals that extend an equal right of residence to all Gurkhas

On Sunday, Nick Clegg and campaigner Joanna Lumley held talks to discuss the next steps in their campaign for justice for the Gurkhas.

Nick Clegg confirmed that the Liberal Democrats would hold an opposition day debate on the issue in Parliament on Wednesday following last week's Government announcement to limit the numbers of Gurkhas allowed to settle in the UK. Joanna Lumley and other campaigners have agreed to support the debate on the day by staging a protest outside the House of Commons.

Both South & West Dorset's Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidates, Sue Farrant & Ros Kayes have also been active supporters of the campaign, describing the Government's approach as "irrational & shameful".