Brown defeated over Gurkha rules
Gordon Brown's government has suffered a surprise defeat in the Commons
on its policy of restricting the right of former Gurkhas to settle in
the UK.
MPs voted by 267 to 246 in favour of a Lib Dem motion that all Gurkhas
be offered an equal right of residence.
Tory leader David Cameron backed the Lib Dem motion to scrap rules which
leader Nick Clegg called "shameful".
Mr Brown's first significant defeat as PM came despite last minute
concessions being offered to rebel Labour MPs.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith had promised to start a review of the new
criteria - which was only announced last week - by the summer and gave
an assurance veterans would not be deported.
'Immense victory'
The vote is not binding, but it represents an embarrassing Commons
defeat for Gordon Brown at a time when he has faced criticism over a
number of other issues.
It is also thought to be the biggest Commons victory achieved by the
Liberal Democrats since their formation two decades ago.
There were shouts of "resign" as the numbers were announced. Labour MP
Martin Salter told the BBC many of his colleagues had abstained in the
vote.
The Lib Dems said 28 Labour MPs voted for their motion.
After the vote Mr Clegg and Mr Cameron joined actress Joanna Lumley who
has been campaigning on the issue and Gurkhas outside Parliament.
“ Today is a historic day where Parliament took the right decision ”
David Cameron
Both leaders said, while the vote was not binding, the government would
have to change its policy.
Mr Clegg said: "This is an immense victory on a series of fronts: for
the rights of Gurkhas who have been waiting so long for justice, a
victory for Parliament, a victory for decency."
He added that it was "the kind of thing people want this country to do".
Mr Cameron said it was "embarrassing" for the prime minister because his
efforts to strike a "shoddy deal" with Labour rebels had failed.
He added: "Today is a historic day where Parliament took the right
decision. The government have got to come back with immediate proposals
so that the Gurkhas can have an answer."
Uncomfortable episode
Ministers should come back with immediate proposals to change the
system, he said.
BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said there would now be
enormous pressure on the government to change the guidelines on
settlement.
She added it was another uncomfortable episode for Jacqui Smith - who
has faced recent questions over her expenses and handling of a Home
Office leaks inquiry.
Some 36,000 former Gurkhas have been denied residency because they
served in the British army before 1997.
Ministers had introduced new rules allowing more soldiers to settle here
based on long service, medals received, and those injured in battle.
The Home Office said that new rules would allow about 4,300 more to
settle, but the Gurkha Justice Campaign said it would be just 100.
Defending the policy at prime minister's questions earlier, Gordon Brown
said that the new guidelines announced last week would allow 10,000
Gurkhas - including their families into the UK.
He added: "We are determined to honour the service that the Gurkhas
give. We have been very proud of what they have done for our country. We
have made major changes over the last few years. We are prepared now to
make major changes again.
"And we are prepared to continue to review the situation for the future.
It must be based on proper facts and proper figures, and it must be
based on the ability to make decisions that we can afford."
Ms Lumley said the campaigners were "elated" as they had expected to
lose the vote.
"When it came through we saw it on the screen and I can't tell you the
sense of elation," she said.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.
Published: 2009/04/29 16:10:11 GMT
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