GURKHAS could become the ultimate weapon in the battle to mend broken Britain, campaigners said last night.
They pointed to a seaside town in Kent where retired Nepalese soldiers and their families have created the “perfect template” for how immigrant minorities should assimilate and contribute to a local community.
Last night, actress Joanna Lumley, who has become a leading campaigner for Gurkha rights, said: “They bring with them a natural sense of respect to any community and work tirelessly to be a part of it. They set an example many could follow.”
Since 200 Gurkha families moved into the town of Cheriton, crime has levelled off and businesses have flourished.
The town’s police force is so impressed it’s pleading for retired Gurkhas to join its ranks, while school governors point to the respect Gurkha children have for their elders and rules.
It comes just days after a High Court judge opened the doors for more than 2,000 Gurkhas to live in the UK after retiring.
While soldiers who left the regiment after 1997, when their headquarters moved here from Hong Kong, were granted an automatic leave to remain in Britain, thousands who retired earlier have been denied the same rights.
Despite them losing more than 50,000 men fighting for Queen and Country over the past 200 years and winning 13 VCs, the Home Office argued that applicants had failed to demonstrate “strong ties” to Britain.
Following last week’s ruling, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith vowed to “review” every application though she did not commit to changing current policy.
For the residents of Cheriton, however, the case is clear-cut. They welcomed the Royal Gurkha Rifles when the men moved into Shornecliffe Barracks seven years ago. Since then, Gurkha families have transformed the deprived town into a “cleaner, friendlier place”.
New shops and businesses are thriving and, in May 2007, the town made history when Dhan Gurung was elected Britain’s first Gurkha councillor.
“Folkestone and Cheriton really welcomed them with open arms,” said Lib Dem councillor Peter Carroll last night. “They’ve had a very positive effect.”
Around 300 of the 1,400 pupils at Pent Valley Technology College are from the Nepalese community. “I’m on the disciplinary committee and we’ve not seen a Nepalese child in front of us,” said Ian Parker, chair of the board of Governors.
Police officers have also noted a decrease in crime. “We work very closely with the community and want to recruit ex-Gurkhas,” said PC Mick Cronin. Some even see them as the secret weapon to reclaiming our streets from criminals. “Gurkhas are tough, brave, disciplined and have a strong family tradition,” said resident Anthony Thrower, 26.
“It is these qualities that we should all aspire to and, in doing so, we’d make Britain a better place. They could live on any tough estate and improve it.”
Former Gurkhas tell of being embraced by their community. “This is a warm place to be,” said Gopal Giri, of the Folkestone Nepalese Community. “It is a home from home for us.”
Kent is not the only success story. In Aldershot, Hampshire, more than 800 families have successfully settled. “We’ve never wanted to form ghettos,” said Tikendra Dewan, of the British Gurkha Welfare Association. “We love Britain and wanted to be able to become part of its society after fighting for this country.”
Last night Joanna Lumley, whose father fought during the Second World War as a Gurkha Major, agreed that the soldiers would help fix broken Britain.
“I have spoken to many people who tell me what a valuable contribution Gurkhas make. They and their families can only provide a positive influence.”
She warned that the fight for Gurkhas’ justice was not yet won, however. “There is a danger the Government will fudge this opportunity. One wonders how it got to this in the first place, where a Government is fighting against those who have served so valiantly to protect this country.”
GURKHAS
06.10.08, 8:51am
I have met with groups of serving gurkhas and they are the most wonderful people imaginable - they have more of a sense if loyalty to this country than a lot of englishpeople. If only we could get rid of people like Hook and his other muslim preacher of hate amd others like him this country would welcome retired gurkhas in their place, and we could feed and house them if necessary using the benefits saved from getting rid of the **** of the earth and their objectionable families.
...they just arrive and settle into their new homes, there aren't special teachers for their children, forms in their language, they are not feeling sorry for themselves and demanding their 'rights', they are not accepting benefits and handouts! They are working hard and have been accepted into the community, Good Luck to them, I wish them many many happy and peaceful years, they deserve it.
It seems strange that the Gurkhas whant and do become part of the British way of life, this is fact, in all the articals on the Gurkhas the only objection has been from this objectional goverment.
The Gurkhas are proud honourable people, unlike the hate preaching muslims who this tainted goverment falls over backwards to appease.
I wish these men and familys all the best and welcome to your new home
GURKHAS
06.10.08, 8:51am
I have met with groups of serving gurkhas and they are the most wonderful people imaginable - they have more of a sense if loyalty to this country than a lot of englishpeople. If only we could get rid of people like Hook and his other muslim preacher of hate amd others like him this country would welcome retired gurkhas in their place, and we could feed and house them if necessary using the benefits saved from getting rid of the **** of the earth and their objectionable families.
• Posted by: SRM • Report Comment
GURKHAS
05.10.08, 7:21pm
Jaqui Smith and the rest of the nazis in Whitehall should be ashamed of themselves.
What is wrong with these two faced socialists.
• Posted by: 106dl • Report Comment
YOU SEE....
05.10.08, 2:00pm
...they just arrive and settle into their new homes, there aren't special teachers for their children, forms in their language, they are not feeling sorry for themselves and demanding their 'rights', they are not accepting benefits and handouts! They are working hard and have been accepted into the community, Good Luck to them, I wish them many many happy and peaceful years, they deserve it.
• Posted by: Disgruntled • Report Comment
REF GURKHAS
05.10.08, 1:21pm
very glad about the outcome they have every right to be here good for ms lumley.
• Posted by: Balfour • Report Comment
COMMON SENSE
05.10.08, 10:36am
Thankfully we still have a judiciary blessed with common sense . The Home Secretary should take note.
• Posted by: splodge • Report Comment
GURKHAS
05.10.08, 9:00am
It seems strange that the Gurkhas whant and do become part of the British way of life, this is fact, in all the articals on the Gurkhas the only objection has been from this objectional goverment.
The Gurkhas are proud honourable people, unlike the hate preaching muslims who this tainted goverment falls over backwards to appease.
I wish these men and familys all the best and welcome to your new home
• Posted by: mike1951 • Report Comment
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