Quelle surprise, Prince Harry is in the news over there on Salt Island again this week, and it’s not just the unhinged whining about Harry’s perfectly reasonable comments about the Great Resignation. Although, to be clear, British commentators are really going off on Harry because he… made a mild statement that in many cases, it’s a good thing for people to quit the jobs they hate and which are negatively affecting their mental health.
Anyway, in addition to that obsessive misreading of Harry’s comments, Harry is also in the news because he apparently called a Tory MP to discuss an issue near and dear to his heart: the British military. Harry spoke to MP Johnny Mercer about Mercer’s campaign to “waive visa fees for foreign citizens who served in the military and want to remain in the UK.” Harry’s spokesperson has already confirmed that Harry and Mercer spoke and that they were speaking “veteran to veteran about issues they care about.”
The Duke of Sussex has backed efforts to scrap visa fees for foreign-born UK veterans who want to remain in the country, MPs have heard. Harry believes it would be “morally right” to make the change for those who have served in the British military, according to former defence minister Johnny Mercer
The Conservative MP said he spoke to the duke on the eve of his proposal being debated in the House of Commons as part of the Nationality and Borders Bill. Mr Mercer wants ministers to waive immigration fees for foreign and Commonwealth military personnel and their families who want to stay in the country once their service has ended. They would be required to have served for a minimum of five years to be eligible under Mr Mercer’s proposal.
The Government has proposed that troops from non-UK nations who have served in the British armed forces for 12 years may be able to stay in the country for free.
In May, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said there was a proposal to waive the £2,389 visa application fee for Commonwealth service personnel, in order to “recognise their contribution”.
Speaking in the Commons, Mr Mercer said: “I speak to all sorts of people in the veterans community – last night I had a conversation with Prince Harry about this. He has contributed hugely to the veterans debate and I wanted his view. He said to me it’s not only morally right but would mean so much to those who have given so much – and it’s not a political intervention, it is the moral purpose of this. It’s an almost effortless change, as he said, for this Government to make for us, to finally see through what we’ve said for these people for so long because we owe it to them.
I’m not going to speak about the politics of this because, honestly, I think the truly moral thing to do is grant citizenship to every foreign national serving in another country’s military. In America, we do that – if you serve one year in the military, you can apply to become a naturalized citizen (a process which could take years, but at least it’s something). It seems like the requirements are way too high in the UK if you’re only eligible for a waived visa fee after FIVE YEARS of military service.
Predictably, people are throwing tantrums about Harry “interfering in politics.” Sigh…
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
These people would never think about laying their lives down for their country, so of course, they don’t understand that waiving visa fees is less than the bare minimum you can do for foreigners who have served in your country’s military to further YOUR interests abroad.
I want to pull my hair out.
I guess my question would be “who are the people throwing tantrums?” If it’s the tabloids, then “yawn, ho hum, what else is new.”
I agree! Anything that Harry does or says is an automatic negative response solely based on their own resentment and punishment towards him. The fact that the UK is pushing for 12 years is ridiculous!! To add to the fact that they are purposely recruiting from other countries, why should they be penalized for placing their lives on the line when their own countrymen won’t? It’s a moral obligation and the only right thing to do. It should be an automatic acceptance once they have served for one year. Those who oppose these sacrifices that foreigners are willing to fight for their country are the ones most likely NOT to make the sacrifices themselves, including their family members. It reminds me of the Repugnants and their party here in the US. Yes, we expect you to die for OUR country but you are not qualified to become a citizen!!
H understands the art of serving your country and the sacrifices each individual makes. Especially so over the past 20 years. Before he left he said he wasn’t abandoning veterans and that is fully demonstrated through this effort. A man who sticks to his word is good to see. He is such an example to the world of a man dedicated to a life of service.
I watched more of The Crown last night and realize just how cruel Charles was to Diana. Also cruel was the Queen. Horrible cold people.
Charles, especially, cheated and dishonored Diana. He actually refused her phone calls and drove her back to other men for comfort. I will never respect any member of the “Royal” family except Harry and Meghan.
It really is distressing to see how horrible they were to her. And now the treatment of Meghan. They, the BRF, really are monsters.
The motion failed but Mercer says that he and others will continue to fight for this issue. The British Army actually goes to Commonwealth countries on recruitment drives, the least the British Government can do is waive the visa fees for those who serve in the military. I haven’t seen any griping about Harry’s involvement in this but the press shouldn’t be surprised that he is. If Eugenie can be campaigning against Modern day slavery, why can’t Harry campaign for foreign and Commonwealth service members?
I concur.
This seems like such a common sense and “morally right” bill to pass. Can someone from the UK explain to me who is against this bill and why?
Also, I can see the UK media giving Harry flack for getting involved in this “political issue”, but what do the public and veterans think about Harry offering his support for this bill?
Yes, it seems very common sense to support this. Like trying to shame Harry for doing so just looks bad. IMHO. Clearly my opinion don’t matter though bc it didn’t pass. I really hope they keep fighting on this.
a tory government and most if not maybe the majority of UK people thinks that it’s okay for foreigners to serve UK interests and they should be grateful for the opportunity but don’t expect them and their family to be welcome to stay here and become a citizen. the tory government as always will continue to pander to the right wing and stoke xenophobia.
Alas, with Boris Johnson’s government the Afghans are lower than dogs. He gave the go ahead for animals in an Afghan dog charity to waive through but left Afghani soldiers who helped Britain behind to their fate.
I dont know why anyone is acting brand new; Harry and Johnny have talked about each other publicly before as it relates to veteran’s issues. I think it was just a few months ago(though what even is time anymore) that Harry put out a statement about a new Ministry of Defense policy requiring mental fitness training for troops and called out Johnny by name for his work on it. Mercer at the time held a cabinet position around veterans but has since stepped down over disagreements with Boris Johnson and No10.
I think it’s obvious that despite being stripped of his military honors Harry is still in constant contact with officials at the Military Defense as well as politicians and philanthropists working on military issues not only in the UK but also the US and other countries that take part in Invictus. I feel like this will continue to be something that will anger the papers and courtiers because no one in the Firm has stepped up to do more of the veteran’s work in Harry’s absence. The role of Captain General of the Royal Marines is still vacant and obviously none of the royals have shown any support for this measure which was spearheaded by Mercer and another veteran MP, Dan Jarvis, who is of the Labour Party. The royals, save Anne maybe, don’t want to do the work for veterans but they also think the military is THEIR thing so they hate that Harry still has those connections and respect from that community.
Johnny Mercer- the man who accompanied a soldier to Northern Ireland to protest the fact that he was being tried for shooting dead a man (with the mind of a child) in the back.
Standard British hero.
I’m surprised the US military only requires one year of service before you can apply! The process takes forever though so it’s good it’s just one because people waiting for citizenship remain in legal limbo for years. And during COVID-19 when all the offices were closed people’s applications just sat there and now there is a huuuuuge backlog of files. Americans trying to renew their passports are also in the same boat. I talked to two friends whose significant others are currently going through the process of citizenship, it’s taking forever.
Hopefully the UK waives the fees for veterans. You shouldn’t have to pay for your citizenship if you put in your time in defense of the UK. Harry really did mean it when he said that he would always be involved in advocacy for veterans.
Harry can get into anything political that he wants to. WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO REALIZE HE DOESN’T HAVE TO LISTEN TO THEIR RULES ANYMORE. *sigh* I’m exhausted by the RF and the RR. Just stop TALKING already.
This is a historical issue, i think the govenrment is afraid if they open the door to Afghan vet’s they would have to do it for vets from other wars, there was a thing in the news a few years ago about the special Indian arm forces that helped the uk, and the uk refused to acknowlege their help. The Uk is going through a whole battle about Windrush, the home secretary, has been sneakily sending people back to the west indies especially when they commit criminal acts and She is trying to pass a law to revoke peoples citizenship. its minefield.
THIS!!! It’s not about the veterans, it’s about the UK’s xenophobia and racism, and the Tory government’s attempts to change policies around citizenship. Really, it’s to limit access to citizenship and rights for non white people from the ‘colonies.’ Living in the UK really changed me and affected me. I don’t think one can really understood how stuck the Brits are in their old empire and colonizer mindset until you live in the UK. I really appreciate how it’s being discussed on this site and the support you all give to M&H.