A tribute to the much-loved former Councillor for Colliers Wood Gam Gurung, delivered at his funeral service
Gam Gurung
I am very proud to be the Member of Parliament for Mitcham and Morden.
My constituency has lost a true gentleman.
Gam was captivating and charming.
During the campaign for the rights of Gurkha veterans, I remember a rush of people swarming around him at a Labour Party Conference in Brighton, all hoping to shake hands with the dashing Gurkha.
I remember how immaculately he held court with David Miliband at the launch of a policy initiative.
He was politeness and courtesy personified.
And I remember him at Downing Street with Sarah and Gordon Brown.
Wherever he went, Gam made a big impression.
Whether he was campaigning for Gurkhas, or representing the people of Colliers Wood, he made a difference.
Gam was a trailblazer.
He was the first Gurkha ever to be elected as a Labour Councillor.
And in his three years on Merton Council, he showed dedication, commitment and loyalty.
If life is a journey, Gam travelled a long way.
From Nepal to London is many miles, but even that journey is nothing compared to the journey he made from a humble beginning to mixing with Foreign Secretaries and Prime Ministers.
But the thing about Gam is he never forgot where he was from.
He always wanted to give something back.
Whether by serving in the forces,
or passing on his building and bricklaying skills to young apprentices,
or battling to open a new school for children in rural Nepal.
Despite his condition, even near the end, he insisted on returning to Nepal, and although his illness meant he could not be present at the opening of a school he strove to build, it is apt that there is a plaque there in his name.
Gam was proud of his roots in Nepal.
And he never forgot where he was from.
The Leader of the Labour Party, Ed Miliband, has asked me to present a letter from him on behalf of the Party.
The fact that the Leader of one of our nation’s political parties felt he should write such kind words speaks volumes about Gam, and about how far he has come.
Gam was a genuinely lovely man and will be remembered fondly for all his works and all his achievements.
Our community has lost one of its most courageous, loyal and dedicated leaders.
He came a long way, but he never forgot where he was from.