16 December
On Thursday January 12th, 1749, an odd advertisement appeared in the neswspapers. It was stated that at the little theatre in the Haymarket, a person would get inside an ordinary tavern quart bottle and after being firmly corked up, would sing songs, play the music of every known instrument on a common walking stick.
Later he would emerge from the bottle and conjure from the grave the spirits of any dead relatives with whom members of the audience wished to have ten minutes conversation. The day arrived and a prodigious crowd filled the theatre; after an hour the walls started to re-echo with cat calls, the hammering of canes and angry stamps. A mob ensued and proceeded to break chairs and tear fitting from the walls, plus the curtains, with which they made huge bonfire. How incredulous those people were to have believed such a promise, such far fetched nonsense.
Far Fetched
I make mention of this because such a story holds a similarity to me when far fetched and unreal promises are made by Spanish political parties in their endeavour to convince the electorate, whom, if the truth be told, they treat as morons in so doing, that they will get Gibraltar back for them and for the glory of Spain. As if the people had nothing better to do than to want the "Kingdom of Gibraltar" back under their regime; as if this were to make all their troubles like, people sleeping rough in the streets; poverty suffered on a major scale across their geography; huge unemployment etc. go away. Is there any shame or sign of sanity left amongst any of their politicians?
I remember our dear friend David Bade in one of his many articles saying that by its actions, Spain was not making life difficult for Gibraltarians, it was taking on the British Government. By all accounts and going by the general consensus, they appear to be on top. I also remember in another interesting article of his, re what had caused the PP to panic over Gibraltar, which he reckoned had to do with the CPA's involvement on the issue of the lengthy border queues and the fact that they were to hold their Regional Conference here in 2017, on the Governments invitation. We are all aware that David Cameron has in the past given some serious thought to some kind of a closer trade compact amongst the Commonwealth, which would serve us well, us being part of that family.
If Spain became at some point in time to resemble the rest of the world or shall we simply say Europe, it has been mainly on account of its country's economic development rather than its political liberation. Democracy when it was adopted because it suited them at the time, rather than embraced, appeared to arrest the loss of their identity, but that is no longer the case. From bureaucracy to corruption which was prevalent under Franco's authoritarian rule, lessons were supposed to have been learnt when Spain took on Democratic rule, but as we all know, the blemishes still stain their geography and are very much in evidence daily. Furthermore, it appears they have no intention of looking deeper into themselves and at the nature of their society, to ever do away with that.
The minute the news was made public that a shipwrecked Spanish Galleon had been discovered by Colombia in their waters, I knew that they would be in trouble. Right enough, along came Spain stating that the treasure trove was theirs! Sorry, said their president Juan Manuel Santos, but the San Jose which was sunk by a British war fleet during the war of the Spanish succession in 1708, in Caribbean waters near the coast of Cartagena de India's, carrying 200 tons of silver, gold and precious stones discovered in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, is the Colombians people's heritage!
Kingdom
These people have a very bad habit of claiming anything that was once theirs as their rightful heirloom till Kingdom come; despite the fact that history tells them that they either gave up their right to certain possessions of theirs in the games of war or indeed lost them. They can't get over the fact that the greatest days of the Spanish Empire passed with Phillip 1 l's death in 1598.
Talking about kingdoms, it is a well known fact that in 1355, Isa Ibn al-Hassam proclaimed himself to be "King of Gibraltar and its land" thus it was that Gibraltar became a kingdom. In 1462 the Spanish conquered lands from the Arabs including his (our) kingdom which then was one of the titles incorporated to the crown of Castille. But then along came the war of the Spanish Succession and Britain obtained the kingdom of Gibraltar which has been under British rule since then. I mean, would the Spaniards have the audacity to claim back the Netherlands for Spain which they lost during that war too?
Naturally they pick on us because the UK has in the past, and dare I say in our present times, always shown a (worrying for us) but (welcome for them) appeasement on matters relating to us. When it's not appeasement, it's a lack of deterrence as pointed out by Bob Stewart MP in January of this year in the matter of our waters. Tragically, gone are the days when a quarrel with England primarily led to the overthrow of the Spanish Armada; which was one of many actions taken then, to choke off a braggart.
16-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
No pasa nada, my dear
December 16, 2015
Christmas is coming, that's for sure, but what else? Porque no pasa nada, my dear Cloti.
It could be that we are getting old, querida Cynthia, porque there's lot of entertainment for the young.
My dear, yo no me encuentro old, at least I am younger than you, always have been.
Esta bien, no nos vayamos a pelear tu y yo in the same way que el Pedro from the PSOE had a good fight con el Rajoy del PeePee.
You are telling me, what a debate that was, I imaginate que it must have woken up the socialists, porque estaban quite asleep, I must say.
Bueno, que gane el que sea mejor for us in Gibraltar. porque el Rajao, aided and abetted por el Seacock, have tried to destroy our homeland and our people.
Es que they will never learn, blimey. They even closed the frontier in the 1970s, and even that failed, porque con los yanitos no puede nadie.
We are number one! And you may have heard lo que dijo el Rajao when he visited Algeciras the other day - he said que el habia arreglao los frontier delays!
La cara que hay que tener, when it was them who put the restrictions on!
Claro que si. Everybody else knows that los campaigns in the Uropean Union plus el Cameron de las islas, que se puso frenetico, that made the Espanish governation change their ways.
Oh well, que se crea el Rajao lo que quiera, es como el Patasjamon who said they had lost the hellection porque they were not well known - so now, he is seen going from one bar to another so that he and his favourite cronie of the day show up here and there.
Pues if they carry on doing that from now to the next hellection in 4 years time, van a terminar cansao, if you ask me.
Bueno, let's see who wins the Espanish hellection, so that we can look forard to better times, si ganan los nuestros!
Y quien son los nuestro, because I had no idea that we were standing in the Espanish hellection!
Bueno, you know what I mean, and if you don't, I'll tell you when I see you en la plaza, porque it is not safe to spell out secrets on the telephone.
Caramba, I think you've seen too many James Bond films, aunque te dire que I always saw myself as a Bond girl - but that was some time ago.
No doubt. Aunque your darling husband no es un James Bond, I must say. I don't know lo que le da de comer, se esta quedando el pobre enquencle.
No more insults, my dear, let's leave that for the Espanish govenation.
Oh dear, no te vayas a enfadar, blimey, it was just a joke, scouts honour.
If that's the case, it's bye, bye till next week.
Adio mi alma.
16-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Seeking Political Consensus Easier Said Than Done!
December 16, 2015
People's loss of trust and confidence in politics and politicians is a phenomenon witnessed in many countries; ours is not an exception. Real and perceived scandals the political style and the reaction of people are in my opinion, mainly responsible for this negative trend. Developments in the local political scene during the last ten to fifteen years have not helped to rectify the situation. In fact, it has got worse.
Gibraltar - Politically Divided as Ever
You could say that with last weeks swearing in ceremony of the new parliament the 2015 election is now officially behind us. However, it would not be unwise for all concerned to ponder on recent political events leading up to the election. A difficult phase for many, one in fact that not only dominated the political arena, but practically all quarters of the local community. From none governmental organisations, authorities, to constituted bodies and workers' unions to professional institutions, everyone in one way or other joined in the election mix.
One thing the election did accomplish was to confirm one how Gibraltar still stands - politically divided as ever before!
It is now up to the leadership of the two political parties to work out a formula as to how best the Rock can move ahead to confront and tackle some really important national issues that lie ahead. I do not see an easy way ahead, unless all MPs commit themselves to truly carrying out their duties for the common good of our nation and of the people.
Gibraltar needs to be heard more loudly then in other places, simple because of our size. I am a firm believer in relevance rather than size. In my book, countries should not be measured by their size, but by their relevance. It is specifically because of the Rocks limited dimension that Gibraltar must strive harder then others to ensure it's not just heard, but also respectfully listened to. It is the reason why on national issues of importance, if Gibraltar cannot provide a united political front, then our voices will be that much weaker!
On the latter front, initial statements sound positive, although I said the same four years ago, when after the 2011 election similar comments were made.
This year, on election night after the results were announced Chief Minister Fabian Picardo extended another olive branch to Mr. Feetham. I imagine in the hope Feetham would accept it and then hopefully, seriously ponder working with the Government on those important issues affecting Gibraltar.
The CM repeated similar sentiments last week during the swearing in ceremony in Parliament, where Mr Picardo said, "we must work together, across the floor of this House, to ensure that we do the best planning for the eventualities that Brexit may present".
Mr Feetham for his part replied, "If we cannot work together on this (Brexit) issue, it would be a very sad day for the working of our democratic system of Government and Opposition, and I feel for the community as a whole".
Even school kids know that these post election statements from each side so directly after the election, is hardly possible without a serious change in the local political mentality. And exactly why, there seems to be a consensus within our political society that the government and the opposition agree to disagree on practically everything and anything tabled before Parliament and out of it!
Gibraltar Needs to move on
Gibraltar now needs to move on. Our citizens are fed up of sloganeering, scaremongering and empty rhetoric. They demand tangible solutions to deeply felt national problems. People, expect political parties to work together not only on the EU and Brexit but also show they can also do it in other important areas of life important to the community.
Of course, the party in government has a duty to deliver in many areas, they have a 100 page manifesto that promises to keep them busy as proof of that. However, the party in opposition also has a duty to become an alternative government and show how it would be better at governing our nation. For their part, the Gibraltar community should find its way to work together as one people, simply, to ensure the Rock's future success. Is all that possible?
Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has appealed for political consensus, especially for the very important national issues that are going to be tackled. All this, is a grand idea, one, that should have been brought up and implemented years ago, something that those who love Gibraltar have been advocating ad nauseam.
Before readers think, that this article is going to be a written party political broadcast on behalf of any Party or individual. I would like to state that both political parties have been guilty to varying degrees in the past of not working together for the general good, but also of thinking of a political advantage. The net result has often been a virtual stalemate, leaving an otherwise active, capable and intelligent nation like Gibraltar, virtually wallowing in habitual controversy.
Mr Speaker Wants MP's to Temper Their Parliamentary Language
There were some poignant points made by speaker Aldofo Canepa at the swearing in ceremony when appealed to all members of parliament, urging them to try to conduct parliaments affairs with the respect, responsibility and dignity that befits the mature democracy Gibraltar enjoy. Something he said, which took so many years of sacrifice and struggle to achieve. Mr. Canepa, in fact suggested that MP's owe it to the community to temper their language whenever debate becomes overheated and concentrate more on the substance thereby raising the standard and quality of Parliamentary exchange.
The Speaker, Mr. Canepa, obviously knows first-hand what he is talking about, having had the difficult task many times of restoring order in parliament. Certainly, it seems, more times then he cares to remember!
So for once, let the political parties think of one thing and one thing only, the general good of Gibraltar and the whole population living here. Not just the 67% or 33% who voted in the lection, but all the percent...the full 100% and the rest!
If the latter was possible, particularly regarding the main issues of national interest and importance, then all parties would get the same political advantages and credit out of the exercise and Gibraltar as a whole would benefit.
Election Campaign a Brutal Affair!
There is no doubt that the election campaign was a brutal one. It took its toll by causing disturbing divisions politically and amongst many in the community, something not experienced before in Gibraltar. Political division have existed in the past. But this was different, it was intense and as the saying goes 'more in your face'
Few of us realise that today is tomorrow's history. Looking at the past five, ten or twenty years of Gibraltar political history and the next 20 years in terms of election results, we can draw some astonishing conclusions that were not possible before.
Political parties are essential in a democracy and a good strong opposition is highly desirable but not everything that one party says is wrong and what the other party says is right and vice-versa.
There are a number of issues that should be above party politics, especially those of vital interests that involve the people of Gibraltar as a nation.
If the political parties sort these problems out together, the huge majority of the sensible people on the rock will thank them and bless them for it. Alternately, mess it up by politicising everything and attempting to seize advantage, will leave Gibraltar in a status quo and ever divided and in this sense, going nowhere fast.
Certainly, a good number of people in our community are at present fed up of the current situation and would welcome a political consensus so that Gibraltar and its people can move forward twice as fast instead of one step forward and two steps back, especially where political consensus is concerned!
However, seeking political consensus in the present environment and in the aftermath of a titanic election campaign… is 'easier said than done!
16-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
