Secure the future of the Stafford Gurkhas
Tuesday, September 7 2010
West Midlands MEP Mike Nattrass has this week called on the coalition Government to secure the future of the Stafford-based Gurkha 248 Signal Squadron.
The Squadron, which has been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, could face the axe under cuts to defence spending being considered by the Government.
But, UKIP MEP Mike Nattrass says the loss of the Gurkhas in Stafford would be terrible news for the town, the country as a whole and the British Army itself.
Mr Nattrass said: “The British Army’s budget has been strangled by successive Governments and now it appears the Gurkhas could be lost as the ConDem coalition continues where previous Governments have left off by not providing our Armed Forces with the funds they need.
“Cameron and his cronies are considering making massive cuts to defence spending which could lead to the loss of the Gurkhas. Generations of servicemen have relied on the Gurkhas during times of war.
“Just last week it was reported that our British Navy could be combined with French forces to save money. The creation of an EU defence force draws ever nearer and the casualty would be the loss of our sovereignty.
“But this sorry situation should come as no surprise. Recently our own Prime Minister recently said Britain was America’s ‘junior partner’ during the Battle of Britain.
“The Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for 200 years and we should be proud of the sterling service they have given to this country.”
Mr Nattrass added: “If the Government is serious about saving money then it should pull Britain out of the European Union.
“According to the Taxpayers Alliance the EU costs every man, woman and child a staggering £2,000 a year. Just think how better we could use that money which at the moment is simply going down the drain.”