British Fair Play for the Ghurkhas

Written by Andrew Stunell and published in Stockport Express on Wed 6th May 2009

Last week's vote in Parliament to insist that the Ghurkhas got treated fairly put a smile on nearly everyone's face. It was, of course, exactly the right decision - as Nick Clegg put it devastatingly in his question to the Prime Minister that day, if they have a right to die for our country they should have a right to live in it, too.

But the good thing is that so many people cared enough to get in touch and tell MPs that they supported fair play for the Ghurkhas at a time when we've all got plenty else to worry about. And now the right decision has been reached it is amazing how many people have told me that - just for once - they approve of what MPs have done.

It is a heartening reminder that the British sense of fair play, of sticking up for justice and commonsense, not just for ourselves but for other people, is still as strong now as it ever was.

I hope it also reminded readers that your local Lib Dem MPs can make a real difference to national decisions even when for the time being we are in opposition in Westminster. It was, of course, the Liberal Democrats who called the debate in the Commons, and who pressed the vote home. I must admit that even I was astonished that we carried the day, but it was great to share in the delight of the Ghurkha veterans outside when we did.

At a time when the cynics ask us to believe that politics is a simple two-way choice between greed and envy, it was a welcome reminder that the politics of greed and the politics of envy are both trumped by decisions based on fair play.

That sense of fair play and justice has to be at the heart of a healthy society at home, and a peaceful world beyond. And that is never more important than when things are looking as tough as they do now.

The decision to honour our obligations to the Ghurkhas shows that when it comes to fair play, Britain still 'gets it'.

Long may it continue.