What Gibraltar must aspire to is representation in the House of Commons - nothing else will do!

So, it is understandable that the Representation in Westminster Movement should warmly welcome what the GSLP/Manifesto says, which is: “It is therefore important to investigate fully the options available to Gibraltar for representation at the Westminster Parliament”.

The Movement says they value this as a positive step out of all the meetings they have held over the years

They recall: "Our signature Petition campaign , as everyone is aware, produced 14,000 signatures, the highest number of signatures ever collected in a local Petition, testifies to the fact that there is extensive public support for this cause, which is now on the political agenda. There is now a pressing need to look at the technical details of how to put this reform, along with others, into effect and promoting Gibraltar's interests."

However, if Gibraltar's interests are deemed to be a seat in the House of Lords, it will be like being out in the political wilderness, because what impact does the unelected Lords have on anything?

Certainly, it would not be the kind of voice that the people of Gibraltar would like to have in Westminster. So, rather than rush to grab anything, would it not be better to keep the fight alive, and shame those who are opposing that Gibraltar should have a seat where it matters, in the House of Commons?

I think it is true to say that support for Gibraltar in UK government circles has never been as great as it is now, so surely we have to ensure that such support translates into something more tangible and important than a seat in the Lords - because once we accept that, there are those who will think that the issue is now resolved when,in effect, it is not.

We keep being described as part of the British Family and we are grateful for such recognition. But if that is going to be meaningful, then we have to be on equal terms to the rest of the family.

There are small constituencies within the Great British Family, so why cannot we be treated in like manner?

In recognising the hard work of those who have been fighting to gain repesentation in Westminster over the years, we would not like to see their gallant efforts over the years to be inadvertently weakened by Gibraltar accepting anything that what is due to us, which is representation in the House of Commons. And we should do nothing in the meantime that could emasculate our scoring the real winning goal.

Do I make the point loud and clear? I hope so!

1-11-2019 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR