For a country with such an open-door immigration policy, it seems baffling that the Government had a bee in its bonnet over a few thousand brave Gurkhas from Nepal.

But it shows that the concept of war means nothing to most people, even senior politicians.

They see it as something that takes place in far-flung countries and is fought by people who they don't know - and don't really want to know, it seems.

They are happy to let someone else do the dirty work.

We often hear politicians pay tribute to those in the armed services "who sacrifice their lives for our sake". It sounds too rehearsed and insincere, and the Gurkhas' plight has proved that. With British involvement in Iraq coming to an end, it's time for all of us to remember the harsh realities: Wars kill many young men and women, including Gurkhas.

We are a civilised country because we stand up against injustice and for the disadvantaged and vulnerable.

We very nearly lost sight of those values over the Gurkhas.

They didn't duck their duties during wartime so why should we duck ours now? Wars are grim and often stupid and unnecessary. But those who fight them do so out of a conviction to serve.

Few have served better than the Gurkhas. We should now welcome them into our communities with open arms.