18 October 2009
01:1530820I went to a presentation this evening by the man who ran the Gurkha Campaign.
It was amazing!
A real reminder that a few committed volunteers can change the world every now and then.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
18 October 2009
08:0430824Yes you are right James..just a handful of committed people can change things. But its also worth noting that in the current climate of 'celebrity mad' culture it was certainly magnificent for the campaign that the much loved Joanna Lumley got involved. She certainly carried some clout with the politicians who didnt consider even for a moment going against her. Now that would be bad for the image.
I saw later too on TV, which showed her visit to Nepal..she was treated like royalty, which was great.
It was also fascinating how the British Public really didnt forget what these Ghurkhas did for them over the years.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
18 October 2009
08:2030829James
This is a copy of my posting from May of this year which you may have missed.
When they took the Queens shilling there was no promise of citizenship or UK residency this has been dreamed up by z list celebs who have nothing better to do.Yes they deserve equal pay and pension rights as British soldiers but handing over residency and back dating it I think is a step too far.
No one has even considered the effect of the economy of Nepal and the even greater effect on the villages from where these soldiers were recruited.Normally throughout their service the soldiers remit money home to their wives and parents and support their extended families.The local shops thrive as money comes into the region.The second aim is then to build themselves and their family a brick house for their retirement.So beautiful large house are built over a period of years again this help supports the local industries and craftsman. Hard earned sterling pounds are converted to US dollars and then exchanged for the local currency.Nepal needs these dollars to help with its balance of payments.
All that will cease with this ruling and a 400 year tradition will die and fade away.The money will be kept in the UK.The wives will join their husbands here and therefore the retirement homes will not be built .The stonemasons carpenters etc will lose their jobs small shops will close as the money no longer gets sent home and a whole way of life will cease.
Sometimes we act without thinking what the repercussions will be.
May I add that if the Tories gain power this is an area where they will be able to cut costs.Now that the Ghurkhas have obtained equal pay and pensions (and rightly so) added to to that their rights to settle in the UK they are no longer the cheap mercenaries that they used to be and are no longer cost effective.In fact they have become a pricey tradition to uphold. So not have we put in jepordy their fragile mountainous economy we have also put their heads on the chopping block waiting for the axe to fall on their regiments. Maybe in 10 20 years time Ms Lumley won't be considered as much as a saint but more of a sinner who helped destroy a 2 or 300 year old tradition as the Ghurkhas are faded out and hard currency ceases to find its way back into the Nepal villages.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
18 October 2009
11:2430846Marek - this has been debated many times on here.
There are many Commonwealth troops in the British Army and this change brings them into line with these. The reason it has become an issue is because of the handing back of Hong Kong to China and the basing of the Ghurkas in the UK.
You are also assuming too much. This does not mean the Ghurkas will stop sending money home and neither does it mean that they will all choose to live here. Indeed it might enable them to have a longer working life beyond leaving the Army in which they can send money home and save to retire there as in the past.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
9 September 2010
18:0269538As I pointed out in my posting above Osbourne and the defence minister are considering scrapping the Ghurka regiment in an attempt to cut costs in defence budget as they continue to support the trident project. I hate to say I told you so but once Lumley and co obtained equal pay, pension rights and right of abode for the Ghurkas it sealed their fate. The scheme has Camerons backing.
Typed by Natascha
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
9 September 2010
18:3569546Rumour-mongering again eh Marek? I've got some plates you can spin if you are the desperate.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
9 September 2010
18:3669548i think that the death knell is sounding for the ghurka regiment for the reasons stated.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
9 September 2010
18:5069555Sid
It was reported in the Times and discussed on line a few days ago as for spinning I'll leave that to the tory doctors.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,890
9 September 2010
19:0469562A ghurka town cllr is in local press today stating ghurka regiment is to go
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,835
9 September 2010
19:2369568The regiment may go but can the Ghurkas not join other regiments.
I am a great fan of the Ghurkas they are so polite and friendly when they come into the shop.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
9 September 2010
19:4069574that would defeat the object jan, cost cutting is the criteria.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
9 September 2010
20:4269587Marek, I fully agree with you here! When that acress launched a one-person show and thundered a pres-gang law through on British Parliament to accept residency for Gurkas past and present, pain of being moraly mobbed by furious British people, she didn't seem to care who would pay the money for these niceties, namely the British tax=payer, nor what effect it would have on the local Nepalese economy.
Until then, Gurkas accepted and agreed by contract that to serve in the British Army did not include residency in Britain.
Furthermore, when the brave Scottish Regiments were largely disbanded or meregered, and many English Regiments too, about thirteen years ago, the public didn't deem to care, and yet that was a long tradition being disbanded and sent home, tens of thousands of British soldiers laid redundant!
Now, with spending cuts galore, and hundreds of thousands of British civil servants facing the axe, who will pay for accomodating thousands of Gurka families in Britain, not that actress surely!
And to think that Gurkas serving in the British Army were considered priviledged, and that lady made it look as if they were being hard done by.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
9 September 2010
21:1969590Keith - do not mix up press speculation and fact.
A pundit recently suggested that the Ghurkas could be disbanded and it is that which created this story. It remains pure speculation. True, to bean counters it make sense but the armed forces do not necessarily fit in with bean counter ideas.
We will have to see if there is any truth in it.
I hope not - the Defence budget is the only budget I would protect, indeed I would increase it at the expense of all other areas of public spending.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,890
9 September 2010
22:0169603Barryw
did you realy have to make your point twice?????? I understood it first time.
ON YOUR reply sadly rumours start and gain momentum very quickly, this town cllr is well respected in Folkestone, and wouldn't put his name to anything unless there was something to it.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
9 September 2010
22:0469605In all seriousness my local dustbin lorry seems to be staffed by ex Ghurkas.
No problem with that at all but it seems strange that none of the over 2000 unemployed in Dover district amongst the indigenous population are capable of shifting my detritus.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,835
9 September 2010
22:0569607I would protect the Defence budget IF it was to be used protecting THIS country, but not as a prop for an American agenda which happens to often. NHS and Education rank higher for me at the moment.
Foreign Aid is where the budget should be cut in my view.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
9 September 2010
22:0769608quite right keith, mr gurung is well respected all over shepway.
my understanding is that many are packing their bags ready, very sad indeed.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,890
9 September 2010
22:0769609BOB
There are sometimes misunderstanding of ghurka as opposed to someone from Nepal.
There are many nepalese refuge collectors, security guards, plus other jobs,
not all are ex ghurka's
Some have just come over to UK like other nationalities for a better life.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
9 September 2010
22:1669613Keith.
Personally I am quite happy for ex-Ghurkas to shift my garbage. I would be fascinated to know on what grounds any other Nepalese have gained residence here?
Though under the previous Government with their total lack of an immigration policy nothing would surprise me!
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,890
9 September 2010
22:2669620Many have come over and settled here
how i have no idea
but certainly they have.
sadly some have come over with bad habits(drugs)
and then mixed with the UK bad un's and the mixture of the 2 blimey, bad news.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
