8 July 2008
Reading West Conservatives recently organised a local petition calling on the Government to deliver a fair financial deal for the Gurkha veterans and equal settlement rights in line with Commonwealth citizens.
2,522 people from across Reading and Berkshire signed the petition and local Reading Gurkha veterans Mr. Birkha Rai and Mr. Dilli Jabegu joined Alok Sharma, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Reading West, and Councillor Tom Steele to deliver the petition to 10 Downing Street.
Veteran Mr. Rai said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Alok and Tom and other local Conservatives in pulling together this petition so quickly and I want to thank each of the 2,522 people who signed this petition from the bottom of our hearts. The British people have always been our great friends and I hope the Government will take some notice of public opinion – we do not want any special favours, we just want a fair deal.”
Alok Sharma said: “The response from Reading people to this petition over the past two weeks has been absolutely magnificent and demonstrates the strength of local public feeling about this issue, a strength of feeling which is mirrored across the country. Reading people clearly recognise the unique contribution the Gurkhas have made over many generations serving to protect British interests and it would be wonderful if Gordon Brown could acknowledge this contribution by delivering a fair settlement for the Gurkha veterans. And whilst the Prime Minister is about it he may also want to restore the Military Covenant with the British armed forces which has broken down under his Government – our brave servicemen and women deserve no less.”
Councillor Tom Steele added: “We are delighted to have been able to work with our local Gurkha veterans in organising this petition and a big thanks to everyone who signed – we must keep up the pressure on the Government otherwise this issue will just be kicked into the long grass.”
Photo: Gurkha veterans Mr Dilli Jabegu and Mr Birkha Rai deliver the petition to 10 Downing Street
2,522 people from across Reading and Berkshire signed the petition and local Reading Gurkha veterans Mr. Birkha Rai and Mr. Dilli Jabegu joined Alok Sharma, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Reading West, and Councillor Tom Steele to deliver the petition to 10 Downing Street.
Veteran Mr. Rai said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Alok and Tom and other local Conservatives in pulling together this petition so quickly and I want to thank each of the 2,522 people who signed this petition from the bottom of our hearts. The British people have always been our great friends and I hope the Government will take some notice of public opinion – we do not want any special favours, we just want a fair deal.”
Alok Sharma said: “The response from Reading people to this petition over the past two weeks has been absolutely magnificent and demonstrates the strength of local public feeling about this issue, a strength of feeling which is mirrored across the country. Reading people clearly recognise the unique contribution the Gurkhas have made over many generations serving to protect British interests and it would be wonderful if Gordon Brown could acknowledge this contribution by delivering a fair settlement for the Gurkha veterans. And whilst the Prime Minister is about it he may also want to restore the Military Covenant with the British armed forces which has broken down under his Government – our brave servicemen and women deserve no less.”
Councillor Tom Steele added: “We are delighted to have been able to work with our local Gurkha veterans in organising this petition and a big thanks to everyone who signed – we must keep up the pressure on the Government otherwise this issue will just be kicked into the long grass.”
Photo: Gurkha veterans Mr Dilli Jabegu and Mr Birkha Rai deliver the petition to 10 Downing Street
