Johnny

Fantastic effort by MPs - of all parties I am pleased to say - to tell this Government that they got their policy on the Gurkhas badly badly wrong. Although its an opposition (well done the LibDems) vote and hence not binding, this Government would be incredidibly stupid (or is it stupider?) to ignore this vote.

The Gurkhas are different (and the rules about the Gurkhas should also be used to all non-British soldiers who serve - there are literally thousands of Fijians in the forces) and frankly anyone who is prepared to die for this country must be allowed to live here

Gurkhas win right to stay in UK

Good

Anybody who serves in today's army deserves the right to stay here.

Our friends and allies

I have long held the British armed forces in great esteem - especially since I come from a family with very strong military connections (my grandfather was an Old Contemptible) and hold the Gurkhas in especial esteem. So when I hear a story about an ex-Gurkha being turned away from an NHS cardiology unit I am appalled. Now I suppose it might be argued that in some respects Gurkhas join up through no love of Britain but because it provides a way out of poverty in Nepal, but that misses the point: they joined OUR forces and I believe that a duty of care exists to those people who served in our military. Its not just that Tul Bahadur Pun was turned away but was threatened with a very large bill.

One final point: Mr Pun won a VC in Burma

Story here: http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/west-london-news/local-hounslow-news/2008/06/25/west-mid-turn-gurkha-hero-away-109642-21149076/