The Minister for Education has reacted to the statement from Edwin Reyes by saying that the investment made in education over the past three and a half years dwarfs the amounts ever spent by the GSD.
Gilbert Licudi said: "When it comes to education we won't be taking any lessons from the GSD. Edwin Reyes should think before making these baseless attacks, which expose him and his party to ridicule. The first issue is that we have invested more in education than the GSD ever did. We have built two new schools in less than three and a half years. We have employed 47 new teachers and our plans for the future involve re-provisioning and refurbishing other schools including, but not limited to, Bishop Fitzgerald, Governor's Meadow and Bayside. We will also be unveiling great plans for St Martin's and other schools, as none will be forgotten by us as some were under the GSD - in particular St Bernard's which was the school that needed most urgent attention upon our election. What we will NOT do is commit the utter folly that the GSD have committed themselves to in their arguments for pooling both secondary comprehensive schools into a Mega School at Rooke: a plan that all educators consider to be complete madness.
"Secondly, for the very first time in Gibraltar's history we are investing in a facility for Higher Education in Gibraltar through the University, something which the GSD never did, whilst continuing our commitment to those of our people who want to study for degrees abroad, having added mandatory post-graduate provision also: another huge step forward! The work with the Washington Institute is also a huge bonus that is benefitting many of our young people and which the GSD just did not even think about.
"Thirdly, the extension of No6 is not about luxury, as it was when they added plush curtains and carpets for over a million pounds, but about dealing with rotting infrastructure, floor boards and a long standing termite infestation, as well as functionality and adding a large number of offices to release other government buildings. That is a wise investment that people will soon see makes a lot of sense."
07-05-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
47% don't think there will be an early general election
May 07, 2015
In a PANORAMA online poll, close on 500 people have responded to the question: Will there be an early general election? And 47% said No.
Thus the public feel that the Government will proceed with implementing its policies and a snap election will not be called.
21% said Yes to an early election being held,7% did not know and 25% 'could not be bothered' by the issue.
07-05-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Chief Secretary makes position clear after Feetham's remarks
May 07, 2015
Statement by Chief Secretary Ernest Gomez:
"On the recent Viewpoint programme on public finances the Leader of the Opposition, The Hon Daniel Feetham MP, said that the former Financial Secretary and I had resigned as directors of Credit Finance Company Ltd in October 2014 "about the time that £355m was transferred from Credit Finance to Gibraltar Investment Holdings Limited.
"I am not going to be drawn into the political issues between the Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo QC MP, and the Leader of the Opposition.
"I consider it is, however, my duty to clarify that the resignation of the former Financial Secretary, Mr Dilip Dayaram, the Senior Administrator, Mr Frank Carreras, and myself as Chief Secretary, from Credit Finance was entirely unrelated to any movement of monies from that company to Gibraltar Investment Holdings, which had happened two years earlier.
"At the same time as we resigned from Credit Finance, we also resigned from all other Government companies and became directors of two companies, one of which was in turn appointed the director of Credit Finance. This approach was repeated for all the other companies with the appropriate corporate director replacing the individual directors.
"The reason we adopted this new structure, in keeping with the advice of the incoming Financial Secretary, Albert Mena, was to simplify the process of appointing and resigning from the total number of Government companies.
"I consider it is incumbent on me to clarify that our position had nothing at all to do with the transfer of monies from Credit Finance. Any implication to the contrary is entirely incorrect and without foundation.
"I further wish to clarify that I have issued this statement of my own volition and after consulting only with my co-directors because I consider it is necessary and appropriate that I should ensure that any dispute as to our motivation in adopting the new structure should be clear.
"I have made both the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition aware that I would be making this statement."
07-05-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Dauntless visit to Gib after 5-day stay in Majorca
May 07, 2015
HMS DAUNTLESS arrives in Gibraltar tomorrow for a short visit before heading back to the UK following a successful five month deployment to the Middle East.
While in Gibraltar the Type 45 Destroyer will top up on fuel and supplies, and the ship's company will enjoy some well-earned rest and recuperation.
HMS DAUNTLESS was the second of the Type 45 destroyers to join the Fleet in November 2010, shortly after being the first of the Daring class destroyers to fire the new Sea Viper missile.
Earlier, The destroyer spent five days in the Spanish island of Majorca where according to Spanish sources it took on provisions and gave its crew some rest and recreation.
British Ambassador to Spain visited the warship during its visit to Majorca. He affirmed Britain's great alliance with Spain within NATO, the EU and the United Nations.
07-05-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Dauntless visit to Gib after 5-day stay in Majorca
May 07, 2015
HMS DAUNTLESS arrives in Gibraltar tomorrow for a short visit before heading back to the UK following a successful five month deployment to the Middle East.
While in Gibraltar the Type 45 Destroyer will top up on fuel and supplies, and the ship's company will enjoy some well-earned rest and recuperation.
HMS DAUNTLESS was the second of the Type 45 destroyers to join the Fleet in November 2010, shortly after being the first of the Daring class destroyers to fire the new Sea Viper missile.
Earlier, The destroyer spent five days in the Spanish island of Majorca where according to Spanish sources it took on provisions and gave its crew some rest and recreation.
British Ambassador to Spain visited the warship during its visit to Majorca. He affirmed Britain's great alliance with Spain within NATO, the EU and the United Nations.
07-05-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Laguna Estate charity Charity bingo Association and Social Club
May 07, 2015
Dear Sir,
On Monday 11th May 2015 at 9pm the Laguna Estate social club will be holding a charity bingo in aid of Danny BrItto. Because of his disability requires extensive adaptations to a car to allow him to drive.
We the Laguna estate committee encourage all members of public to attend to support this worthy cause.
If you need any further information please do not hesitate to contact Danny BrItto on ext 20046961 or contact the laguna estate social club on Ext 20044114.
Also we will like to inform you that doors will be open as from 6pm.
Chairman
Julio Pons
Margallo says that if UK left the EU, Gibraltar would have to consider joint sovereignty
May 07, 2015
The Spanish foreign minister Sr Margallo say that if the UK leaves the EU, Gibraltar would have to reconsider the question of joint sovereignty if Gibraltar wants to remain in the European Union.
This follows an article by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo where he painted a grim picture for Gibraltar, to the extent of saying that Gibraltar would be destroyed if Britain left the EU. Spanish media have reproduced from the said article.
We are on the eve of relatively important events in Gibraltar, Margallo said on Spanish radio.
The recent negative remarks made about Gibraltar by Labour leader Ed Miliband is also being latched on by the Spanish to attack Gibraltar.
TO THE RESCUE
The Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Joseph Garcia, has come out to the rescue, making it clear what is the Gibraltar position.
He said: "For the avoidance of doubt, there is no prospect whatsoever, even if we were faced with a full UK exit from the European Union that Gibraltar and the Gibraltarians would be prepared to compromise on Sovereignty. Sr Margallo will not see a Spanish or half Spanish Gibraltar in his lifetime, whatever our position in or out of the EU.
"Europe matters to us and we want to continue to have access to the single market, but our identity and our British Sovereignty are not bargaining chips we will ever horse trade with or allow others to blackmail us over.
"Sr Margallo's dream of a Spanish Gibraltar will thus only ever remain a dream."
07-05-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
New advisory council welcomed by union
May 07, 2015
Unite the Union says it welcomes the announcement by the Chief Minister in the setting up of the new advisory council for strategic and economic goals. The council assist in the development of a 10 year strategic economic plan called Gibraltar 2025 and will look into the needs of our community through partnerships with different stakeholders in the shape of Trade Unions, the Private Sector and the Government.
Unite had long advocated the need to create a forum where all options are discussed openly in conjunction with other organisations addressing both the strengths and weaknesses of our economy in a bid to increase the quantity and quality of jobs as well as the equitable redistribution of wealth that arises as a consequence of a stronger economy. "As a Union we have a role in tackling inequality and ensuring that both the Public sector and Private sector enter into a partnership agreement that brings about quality training for our youth," they say.
Unite welcomes the Government's position in respect to thinking in a 10 year cycle as opposed to the equivalent of an electoral cycle, given that in order to improve and manage economic objectives a long term plan is needed to identify areas in the economy that need to be addressed in a way that ensures ample consultation and job security
They add: In respect to what Unite sees as its role in the advisory council we will highlight that our vision for the economy is based on a fairer society and a successful economy. For this objective to materialise it is imperative that we enter into a process that guarantees sector wide collective agreements for employees that today have little or no protection.
Unite feels that identification of the skills gap within our economy and the availability of quality training forms part of our vision for the future. Unite makes no secret of the fact that we are in disagreement with those apprenticeship frameworks that are of poor quality and short duration. Gibraltar is deserving of the best professionals around and in respects to the craftsman grades there are no exceptions.
The alternative to our proposals are the outsourcing of these trades to private companies with labour from abroad given that subsequent Governments have not done enough to nurture quality apprenticeships. Gibraltar is able to produce the best but it is often as a consequence of thinking in partisan, electoral cycles that these long term strategies are not pursued and it is hoped that a 10 year strategy will finally put right this great disservice that Gibraltar has had to bear with for decades.
Unite notes and welcomes the creation of a subcommittee to the new Advisory Council that will include promoting efficiency and tackling waste in the public sector. Efficiency leads to productivity which is how employees 'output' at work is measured over a given period of time and is influenced by investment in machinery or training that allow workers to be more productive. As an organisation that believes in the protection of Public Services we will promote strategies that improve the quality of service in both the private and public service. This is why we highlight investment in infrastructure, training and skills as a way of diversifying and increasing the number of services offered by the public sector.
Unite, furthermore, takes note of its constitution which states that they have to:
"Defend and improve its members' wages and working conditions including the pursuit of equal pay for work of equal value."
"Defend and improve the social and economic well-being of members and their families," and "Promote a more equal society in which wealth is distributed from the rich to the poor."
As custodians of these tenets, Unite feels empowered by its members and executive to pursue policies that will bring increased wealth to the humblest of workers and the most deserving in our community in order to curtail any inequitable distribution of wealth that long term economic planning is likely to arrive at. Unite relishes the opportunity to face the future challenges that our community will face in partnership with the Government and Private Sector and hopes for future successes that will be shared by all within our community, ends their statement.
07-05-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Pantomimic Leaflet by the GSD
May 07, 2015
Dear Sir,
Yet again the latest Pantomimic leaflet hitting our streets and our Estates by the so called caring GSD party, shows apart from incorrect figures and facts with the objective of confusing more the electorate. Including their touch of venom, also depicts a picture of a huge ball of fire with black fumes, somewhat as a big explosion...
This just simply shows the lack of political responsibility shown by a party that aspires to become the next Government of Gibraltar (god forbid).They seem to enjoy scaremongering our community causing unnecessary and unfounded concern and anxiety especially on our elderly members. But what goes round comes around.
Yours Sincerely,
D.J.Desoiza
Poll result on the state of the parties - watch out for it!
May 07, 2015
Coinciding with the UK general election today, comes a major PANORAMA public opinion poll on the state of the Gibraltar political parties, answering the crucial question of who would win an election here if held tomorrow.
The result of the eargerly awaited opinion poll will be published tomorrow.
It is the poll politicians believe and wait for to determine the influence it could have on their political strategy.
Planned by PANORAMA to coincide with the UK general election, because of the linkage with Gibraltar that could flow from the UK's own election.
This UK election shows that no political party there is expected to have an overall majority, and hence a coalition government should flow from it.
All eyes are on what will be the precise nature of any UK coalition or other political grouping of parties to claim the right to form a government in Westminster.
The holding of an EU referendum is uppermost in most people's minds, with the Conservatives having promised that an in/out referendum would be held if they led the next UK government.
Such a referendum could have a bearing on Gibraltar's position in the EU, if its result put Britain on the way out from Europe.
This is because Gibraltar is in the EU as a European territory for whose external relations Britain is responsible.
Thus, if Britain left the EU, Gibraltar would have to follow suit unless it worked out some other arrangement.
Already the Spanish foreign minister is pointing his finger at the prospect of a return to joint sovereignty negotiations, but this has been rejected by the Deputy Chief Minister in a statement yesterday.
Whatever the negative effect on Gibraltar if Britain were to pull out of the EU, the clear impression being given by the Deputy is that Gibraltar would fight its way out of the problem without entertaining the prospect of giving in on our British sovereignty.
Thus, it remains to be seen what is the outcome of the UK election and what will flow from it to properly assess the Gibraltar situation that would unfold. Even if a referendum were to take place in the UK, the result of the British people could be to remain in the EU, so that one should wait and see what develops. - JOE GARCIA
07-05-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
The Rock awaits choice of Britain's voters
May 07, 2015
Few previous UK general elections have generated as much anticipation as the one being held today throughout the United Kingdom.
There is a huge amount of interest in the final outcome of the elections being held over a thousand miles away. Simply because there is a lot at stake, not only for the many millions of people in the British Isles but also back here in Gibraltar,
From a Gibraltar perspective, many will eagerly follow proceedings in the UK as if it was our own elections. Mainly because of the vested interest in the final outcome of the result and weary also, of the uncertain direction of British politics at the moment.
The future of the UK in the European Union has emerged as one of the high profile and important election campaign issues that has largely dominated UK politics right up to polling day.
The EU is hugely important to Gibraltar. Even though our EU status does not allow us to be party to the whole of the EU acquis. The latter a French word meaning the body of common rights and obligations that is binding on all EU member nations.
For example, neither the UK nor Gibraltar is part of the single European market for the free transit of goods. Yet importantly, our EU membership is nonetheless vital for Gibraltar's future.
It is generally acknowledged, that the repercussions for Gibraltar were the UK to decide to opt-out of the European Union in a possible referendum, would in fact be a very serious and as a nation, possible, a life-changing turning point. Although I do not agree it would be one that would destroy Gibraltar!
The Rock Will Not Be Destroyed by UK EU Pull-Out!
The Chief Minister this week said that a EU pull-out by the UK 'would Destroy Gibraltar'. I absolutely do not agree with the word 'destroy'. Although I do agree, it will be a very serious situation for Gibraltar as a whole. But actually destroying Gibraltar, as a nation is one supposition which at best is hugely alarmist, and at worse a hypothetical opinionated armageddon type scenario based on events that may never actually happen?
I do believe it will take much more then the UK pulling out of the EU, if it actually happens, to destroy our nation, much more in fact! The Rock has withstood 2 world wars, 15 or 20 military sieges. Even the ancient Romans then Barbarian Vandals also occupied the Rock as well as the Moors and we still pulled through. We also withstood a closed frontier when Franco also laid siege on the Rock for 14 years when he locked the frontier gates. Gibraltar is universally acknowledged as a symbol of strength, solidity and dependability.
Hence, if someone says 'Like the Rock of Gibraltar' they mean it is very solid and strong and will not be destroyed' I cannot see an UK pull-out from the EU no more, then I can see Gibraltar being destroyed by such an eventuality occurring!
Having said all that, nothing will be decided today in the United Kingdom in this respect, nor tomorrow or next week, next month or even next year whatever the outcome of the elections in Britain!
The Choice For UK Voters But It's Neck-and-Neck
There is little doubt, the UK electorate vote in one of the most exciting elections ever, with no party likely to win an overall parliamentary majority and with non-mainstream parties likely to take a large slice of the popular vote. This election is a crucial one because it could determine the UK's future relationship with the EU as well as its future as a united country.
The UK's two major political parties are neck-and-neck, with pollsters predicting neither will manage to achieve a majority government.
The latest average poll of polls shows the two main parties neck and neck with the Conservatives led by Prime Minister David Cameron on 33.9 per cent and Labour led by Ed Miliband on 33 per cent, followed by Ukip on 12.9 per cent, the Liberal Democrats on 8.1 per cent and the Greens on 5.5 per cent. The rest of the popular vote will be split between the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish nationalist parties as well as the Ulster Unionists.
The projected seat allocation, however, paints a different picture to the popular vote, although no one party will get an overall majority. The Conservatives are projected to get 273 seats, Labour 269, the Scottish Nationalists 55 (a massive gain of 49 seats), the Liberal Democrats 28 (a loss of 29 seats), Ukip three, the Greens one and other parties 21.
As can be seen by these projections, Britain's first past the post electoral system very much favours the larger parties or those parties whose support is concentrated in particular constituencies.
Scottish Nationalists, for example, are expected to win 55 of Scotland's 59 seats (one poll says they could even win all the seats), even though their share of the popular vote is estimated at about 4.5 per cent throughout the UK and 54 per cent in Scotland.
Ukip and the Greens, on the other hand, who are predicted to get 12.9 per cent and 5.5 per cent of the popular vote, are only expected to get three seats and one seat respectively, simply because their support is thinly spread throughout the UK.
A Hung Parliament on the Cards
These seats projections very clearly point to another hung Parliament in Britain, so the outcome is going to be either another coalition government or a minority government which will be propped up by one or more of the smaller parties. If the projections are accurate, another Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition will not be possible because the two parties together will be short of the required 326 seats to form an overall majority.
Even if the Liberal Democrats do better than expected, as party leader Nick Clegg has constantly claimed, it is doubtful that they will win enough seats to form a majority with the Conservatives. Neither it is likely that a Conservative-Liberal Democrat minority coalition government will be able to form a parliamentary majority with the support of Ukip and the Ulster Unionists.
Such an alliance is anyway very unlikely, as Mr Clegg has already ruled out forming part of a government, which relies on Ukip for parliamentary support.
Labour, on the other hand, will probably come very close to securing a majority in Parliament with the Scottish Nationalists. The two parties' projected strength is 324 seats, just two short of an overall majority, and Labour could probably then rely on the backing of the Welsh Nationalists and Northern Irish Social Democrats.
Non-mainstream parties are likely to take a large slice of the popular vote
Mr Miliband, however, has ruled out a coalition with the Scottish Nationalists, but not a parliamentary pact to confuse the issue even further for the ordinary citizen.
Nevertheless, a minority Labour government depending on the Scottish and other Nationalists for support would look very weak, and would only enjoy a wafer-thin majority. A Labour Liberal Democrat minority coalition government supported by the Scottish Nationalists, on the other hand, would enjoy a parliamentary bloc of 352 seats, but even this has been ruled out by Mr Clegg.
Speaking to the Financial Times, the Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister said: "I totally rule out any arrangements with the SNP in the same way I rule out any arrangements with Ukip - because there is no meeting point for me with one party that basically wants to pull our country to bits and another party that wants us to pull out of the EU."
The Main Issues!
The main issue in the UK election is the economy, but the NHS, immigration and Britain's future in the European Union are high on voters' agenda.
The Conservatives…are mainly running on their record of economic growth, job creation, deficit and debt reduction (mixed results), as well as their (risky) pledge to renegotiate some terms of Britain's EU membership and then hold an in/out referendum.
David Cameron is more popular than his party, and if the polls are correct the Conservatives will reduce their share of the vote they received at the 2010 election, mainly because of a surge in popularity of the right-wing Ukip, which has taken advantage of people's concerns about immigration and the EU.
Labour… on the other hand, is arguing that people's living standards have decreased over the past five years, mainly due to the austerity measures and a lack of investment in public services.
Ed Miliband is less popular than his party but the polls show Labour increasing its popular vote by about four percentage points since its poor result in 2010 when it received only 29 per cent of the vote.
Labour has promised to invest more in the NHS, to bring down the deficit in a fairer way and has accused the Conservatives of secretly planning massive spending cuts, including on benefits, if re-elected. Labour has lost a lot of support in Scotland, however, which explains the surge of the Scottish Nationalists.
The Liberal Democrats… are expected to lose half their seats in this election, the price they will pay for governing in coalition with the Conservatives and for agreeing to the huge increase in university fees.
However, the Liberal Democrats observers believe have without doubt been a moderate influence in the governing coalition and had it not been for them, the Conservatives would have carried out harsher austerity measures and adopted even more of a Eurosceptic stand.
Clegg and the Liberals Piggy Play in the Middle!
In this election, Clegg has positioned himself between the Tories and Labour, hinting he will be willing to join in a coalition with either (if the numbers are there) and would prevent each from lurching to the right or left.
What is the most likely outcome of this election? If the polls are correct, and barring any late surge in support for either the Conservatives or the Liberal Democrats, we could see Miliband in Downing Street leading a minority Labour government and relying on parliamentary support from the Scottish Nationalists and other smaller anti-austerity parties.
In such a scenario, how long would it take for the SNP to demand another referendum on Scottish independence, thus putting at risk the future of the UK, as a unitary State, which potentially, would be a worse scenario according to some observers, then a UK EU pull-out!
There is much to play for in todays UK elections, which potentially, could seriously affect the lives of many Millions of British citizens, including the 30,000 inhabitants down here in the Solid Rock of Gibraltar!
07-05-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR