Back Gurkhas now - Lib Dems tell Sally Keeble MP

11.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 1st May 2009

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton North, Cllr Andrew Simpson, is calling on Sally Keeble, Labour MP for Northampton North to support the Gurkhas after she voted against proposals to allow those who had fought for Britain to remain in the UK.

Andrew Simpson has written to Sally Keeble to say how disappointed he is that the MP for the area voted to back to the Government's policy of deporting Gurkhas.

The vote on a Liberal Democrat motion was held in the House of Commons on 29th April and resulted in a shock defeat for the Government. Sally Keeble sided with the losing side, despite the overwhelming popular support for the Gurkhas.

"I was greatly disappointed that Sally Keeble voted for thousands of Gurkhas to be deported from the UK," said Andrew Simpson. "But the Government was defeated because a few brave Labour MPs defied their party bosses and backed the Gurkhas who have so bravely fought for Britain.

"The Government has a moral duty to support those who have put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and fight for our country. I am sorry that Sally Keeble has voted the opposite way.

"The Government must take notice of the will of Parliament and bring back new proposals that will allow Gurkhas to stay rather than have them kicked out of the country. I have written to Sally Keeble urging her to have a change of heart and press Minister to bring forward new proposals as soon as possible."

ENDS.

Notes to Editors

Below is the link to how MPs voted on the motion. A "No" vote was a vote for the government and against the Lib Dem motion.

http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2009-04-29&number=104&display=allvotes