Supporting the Gurkhas regardless of rumoured threats
Posted by Mike Wood, MP for Batley and Spen, at 08:21, Sun 10 May 2009:
There was an article in the Mail on Sunday last week claiming that MPs who defied the Government over the Gurkhas' right to settle in the UK may be prevented from standing for Labour at the next general election.
I did not support the Government during the previous week's vote on plans to restrict the Gurkhas' right to settle in Britain. The Government was defeated and rumours have since appeared suggesting the Labour party leadership will now block some of those Labour MPs who forced the defeat from standing at the next general election.
I have already been reselected to fight the next general election by my local Labour party so these rumours, even if they're true, do not concern me a great deal.
I answer to the people of Batley and Spen and the work I do and the way I vote reflects that. I have no doubt that local people want to see justice for these old soldiers just as much as I do.
Britain owes a debt of honour to men who again and again laid their lives on the line in support of this country. If that doesn't justify their right to settle here, what does?
The Government has moved over the last 10 years to improve the situation for Gurkhas but obviously more has to be done - and it is this that motivated the way many MPs voted last week, including me.
Both my parents served our country during the Second World War and they brought me up to respect the dedication and service the Gurkhas gave as part of our armed forces. My father would have turned in his grave if I’d have voted any other way.
Comments
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Posted by Derrek Cartwright BA (Hons), 08:31, Sun 10 May 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Whilst the Government's stance is a disgrace.
The Government is a disgrace...
Cut the numbers of MP's & deny them expenses.
Let them live on salaries that more than 75% of the population do not receive.
Derek
Posted by Stewart McArdle, 09:43, Sun 10 May 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
What a moronic response. What have allowances got to do with Gurkhas?
It's this kind of nonsense that allows MPs to get away with not changing failing processes and systems. Reasonable, sensible arguments - as deployed by Ms Lumley over the Gurkhas - clearly works. Suggesting we refuse to pay MPs or diallowing them funds to work, be based in two places and employ staff is idiotic and the only sensible response to it is to ignore it.
Plus, on a point of fact - the Government doesn't set the number of MPs and the Government doesn't set the system of allowances either.
More importantly it has nothing to do with the Gurkhas! On the Gurkhas - well done Mike Wood. If we had more MPs who acted and voted conscientiously then the Government wouldn't feel it can get away with nonsense like this with the Gurkhas and Parliament wouldn't be viewed in the way it is. Keep up the good work.
Posted by Mrs Susan Anderson, 01:23, Mon 11 May 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I've always seen you as a straight talker MIke and not scared of voting for whats right. Its such a pity the rest of the party and in particular the leadership are letting us down.
Posted by Derrek Cartwright BA (Hons), 07:16, Mon 11 May 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Mike Wood wrote an article recently in the Batley News defending MP's Expenses.
Mr. Wood has also been active on the 'popular' cause' of supporting Post Offices & now he's supporting the Gurkhas.
Am I being too suspicious in thinking he's trying to save his seat?
Nothing in life is acted in isolation!
Is this too moronic a thought that there is no integrity with politicians & government?
Am I being too naive in thinking that the electorate has to be manipulated & lied too by politicians & government?
Have people in Batley & Spen forgotten how to build Grange Valley the electorate were manipulated by local government to reduce the permitted opposition to the council's plans?
The Gurkhas is just another issue which will probably not be sorted out now, immediately. These people who fought for this country for generations should be allowed to settle here with their families.
Why is it, because there seems to be a general feeling that they should be allowed to settle here if they wish, that this matter will be kicked into the long grass?
Posted by Derrek Cartwright BA (Hons), 15:28, Mon 11 May 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Rather than call me names Mr. Stewart McArdle should go & look at the facts on MP's expenses.
No one as far as I know has suggested to date that MP's salaries should be cut.
But go & look at Wood's expenses over the last 7 years - £100,000?
No, £876,424. That's right that's how much he's claimed. 7 years ago his office staff costs were less than £50,000 - £540,860.
Has he got his food in his expenses?
This was this government's system not Thatcher's, not a Conservative system.
So I don't trust Wood or any other Government representative, because they don't deserve to be trusted.
The evidence is out there....