Stephen Lloyd backs Ghurkha's at Lib Dem conference

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Apr 2008

Last weekend in Ashford, Kent the Liberal Democrats held their South East England conference. A wide variety of issues were discussed including policing in the South East, the possible detrimental impact of the economic slowdown on families and the environment. One issue though really captured the mood and support of the Conference. The plight of former Ghurkha soldiers who had served in the British Army.

Stephen Lloyd, Lib Dem parliamentary challenger, who spoke at the conference said: "We had the pleasure of hearing from one former soldier, Mr Dhan Gurung, who spoke eloquently and passionately about the plight of his comrades. It is shocking that so many of these brave men who have served our nation in some of the most dangerous trouble-spots across the world are not treated with the equality they deserve.

"The reality is that any Ghurkha who retired from active service with the British Army before 1997 gets a service pension worth only one sixth of what a British soldier receives, and no automatic right to British Citizenship. This cannot be fair. What possible moral case is there for saying that a Ghurkha discharged in 1996 after 20 years' service is not entitled to a full service pension? For some it means not only living in penury but even the prospect of deportation."

"I am very glad therefore that the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg MP, and his parliamentary team are pressing hard at Westminster for the government to right this wrong."

"I would also urge the public in Eastbourne to write to the Prime Minister asking that he intervene personally to give these outstanding men there due. Ghurkhas have died fighting for our country. Surely the only honourable thing to do is to ensure they receive the same rights and privileges as their British comrades."

"I know from personal experience the respect and affection the Ghurkha's are held by their former comrades-in-arms as one of my uncles, Pat Lloyd, served with a Ghurkha regiment in the Malay insurgency in the late fifties. His profound appreciation for them was such that when the regiment was disbanded he resigned his commission rather than serve without them. These fine, loyal ex-soldiers deserve not only our sincere gratitude but our support in their fight for equal treatment from the government."