Clegg: Treatment of Gurkhas a national disgrace

Lib Dem Leader, Nick Clegg today received medals handed to him from Gurkhas who served in the British Army before 1997 and are being denied a full pension and the right to British Citizenship.

Speaking at a protest outside Parliament, Nick Clegg said: "When I told people what you get from the Government in return for the years of brave, loyal, uncomplaining success people simply don't believe it.

"It is quite simply a national disgrace. I am simply saying you should be treated with the respect and honour you deserve as brave soldiers

"I will do everything I can to end this unacceptable and immoral discrimination."

Nick Clegg later tackled Gordon Brown over the issue at Prime Minister's Questions. He said:"Two hours ago a retired Gurkha soldier handed over this medal to me in protest at the Government's refusal to grant him British citizenship.

"Do you know what it means for a loyal British soldier to give up a medal that he won for his long years of service to this country?

"And can you explain to the Gurkhas why on earth you believe that Gurkhas who served in the Army after 1997 are worthy of British citizenship but those who served before that date should be deported?"

All you ever wanted to know about Lib Dem Policy but were afraid to ask!?!

Please find below a link to the Liberal Democrats 2008 Pocket Guide to Policy.

This document summarises the party's key policies at a page per portfolio, and would be useful for local residents wanting to find out more about what the Lib Dems stand for nationally.

This is a public document and is now on the party website. Feel free to forward the link to anybody you think would benefit from it.

Nick Clegg sets out his vision for a people's health service

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg today outlined his vision for the NHS, setting out plans to give communities genuine control over local health services, freed from Whitehall, and providing for older people with personal care needs. The proposals update Liberal Democrat policy on personal care for the elderly based on the projections of the 2006 Wanless report on the future needs for social care in England. The Policy Paper, which will go to the Party’s Spring Conference in March, details:

Introducing a ‘Care Guarantee’ by spending £2 billion on a personal care payment for all elderly people requiring care, based on need and not their ability to pay. It would also set out carers’ rights including the right to complain about unsatisfactory care.

A ‘Patient Contract’ guaranteeing every citizen access to a high standard of core healthcare entitlements within maximum waiting times. To make sure that the NHS delivers, patients would have the right to receive private treatment, paid for by the NHS, if the waiting time was not met.

Directly elected local Health Boards instead of unaccountable Primary Care Trusts. This would put people in charge of decisions about their local health services.

Roll out the use of direct payments and individual budgets for people with chronic, long term conditions, for mental health services and support for those with learning disabilities.

For more information on the Lib Dem's vison for a people's health service, please click here.