PDP 2011 General Election Manifesto

1 Progressive Democratic Party Election 2011 Manifesto

THE REAL CHANGE

ELECTION 2011 MANIFESTO

Progressive Democratic Party Election 2011 Manifesto

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A NEW STYLE OF POLITICS

LOWER PERSONAL TAX AND BETTER ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT

BETTER OPPORTUNITIES

BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL

BETTER PUBLIC SERVICES


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FOREWORD BY KEITH AZOPARDI I am delighted to lead a team of people whose motivation is to improve the way Gibraltar is governed, the services you enjoy and the environment in which we live. We believe in Gibraltar’s future and want to make it better. This manifesto sets out our commitments to you. We have launched 5 key domestic pledges on which we are fighting this election. They are listed on the inside cover. These Pledges are based on our Agenda for Change programme that we published in 2006. Indeed as far back as July 2006 we issued a comprehensive policy on a New Style of Politics. We were not surprised that “style of government” was the top concern of people in a recent poll because we have been campaigning for five years on this issue. It has now become fashionable for other political parties to jump on the bandwagon of reform or “change.” But the reality is that those parties have shown little appetite to tackle these issues in recent years and when presented with opportunities to do so have by-passed them. To those people who want change we urge that they back the PDP as the only option that represents real

and safe change. We believe the specific policies in this manifesto will improve people’s quality of life, provide better opportunities for young people, improve public services and deliver economic growth. Above all it will guarantee lasting democratic change. It will breathe life into our political system by radically overhauling it and replacing the old acrimony with a new constructive approach. This manifesto is organised in a number of sections that describe the policies under each Pledge. There is then a section on international affairs, sovereignty and constitutional status. We have been the only Party to have published our views on Gibraltar’s future constitutional status. Other parties have asked for your vote without telling you where they want to take Gibraltar. They want a blank cheque and we believe that people are entitled to know what their political leaders envisage for Gibraltar’s future status. I have no doubt that we can carry out the specific policies set out in this manifesto and that doing so will vastly improve the quality of life of people. There will be much scare-mongering from some

quarters that you should vote to keep someone or some Party out of office. We believe that a general election is an opportunity, that arises only once every four years, to vote positively for the programme of measures you believe in and that you want delivered. I ask that you evaluate our policies and our candidates and compare these with other manifestos and other candidates. At the end of that process vote for the ten people that you think are best suited to govern Gibraltar. I hope that you will entrust the PDP with that duty and responsibility.

Keith Azopardi


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CONTENTS

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Foreward 1

Pledge 1 — A New Style of Politics 5

Changing the way we are governed 8

Civil Liberties, Equality & Justice 11

Pledge 2—Lower Personal Tax and Better Economic Management 15

Economy, Business & Tax 17

Shipping & Tourism 20

Financial Services 23

Pledge 3—Better opportunities 25

Education 27

Employment, Skills & Training 32

Young People, Sport & Culture 34

Pledge 4—Better Quality of Life for All

and the Sustainable Use of Our Environment 37

Housing & the New Town 39

Planning, Heritage & the Environment 42

Pledge 5—Better Public Services 51

Health & Social Services 53

Elderly Care 56

Senior Citizens & Pensions 57

Public Administration 58

Strength And Vision Internationally 59

Sovereignty & Constitutional Future 61

United Nations & European Union 64


Throughout the EU, desperation and uncertainty exist. Business collapses, job losses and home repossessions are a reality in many countries. We have largely been safe from cuts and their consequences but we would be foolish to believe that Gibraltar, managed badly, could not face the same challenges. Clearly we do not advocate the status quo. We believe that there are many good reasons why there should be change. But we are absolutely certain that change has to be the right change – what we in the PDP call “The Real Change”. Politicians have a duty to convince you that the policies and people put forward are the right ones for Gibraltar, not just

now but also for the future. You the electorate carry the enormous responsibility to ensure that those you vote for have both the right judgement and appropriate vision. When you compare the leaders of the parties you will need to c o n s i d e r w h i c h l e a d e r represents maturity, experience, and safety but yet has the required freshness and vision to govern and deliver real change safely. We believe our Leader and Deputy Leader have that important blend and balance. They have been in politics for 20 years. Keith Azopardi was a minster for 8 years in Health and then Trade. He was the Deputy Chief Minister during the

testing times of the Anglo-Spanish co-sovereignty agenda. He was instrumental on the committee on Constitutional Reform. He assisted in the transformation of Gibraltar’s reputation after 8 years of GSLP administration and presided over great economic progress as the Minister for Financial Services. Previous to that he drove key changes that delivered a transformation of the health service between 1996-2000 and led to a new health centre and new hospital. Nick Cruz was a member of the Council of Representative Bodies that helped Government mobilise against the co-sovereignty initiative. He gave evidence to the constitutional

THE REAL CHANGE

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At this election you face a clear choice between three alternatives:

1. A real change, into a safe, prosperous and progressive future

with the PDP.

2. The status quo represented by the GSD;

3. A step back into the past represented by the GSLP/Liberals;


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committee on constitutional reform that helped to shape the 2006 constitution. He has been Chairman and/or Vice Chairman of the Association of Trust & Company Managers for over 10 years and a member of the Gibraltar Finance Centre Council for most of those. Together with the rest of the PDP they provide a clear vision of how to govern Gibraltar for our collective benefit. That balance and vision is evident throughout this Manifesto. Peter Caruana and Joe Holliday, the respective leaders of the G S D , h a v e p o s i t i v e l y contributed to Gibraltar’s progress since 1996 but many people are now disenchanted with Mr Caruana’s style of governance and the failure or delay in the delivery of key changes. They cannot take Gibraltar further. No person can know everything and centralised decision making without sufficient inclusive contributions leads to poor short-sighted planning. Houses, transport systems educational demands are addressed reactively. Despite their suggestion to the contrary the GSD leadership

and Party now lack the necessary vision to prepare Gibraltar for the future. Fabian Picardo and Joe Bossano are risky choices that have shown poor political judgement. Under Mr Bossano’s tenure as Chief Minister Gibraltar had some economic successes but he also presided over some of Gibraltar’s darkest days that left it with a reputational legacy that took years to salvage. In opposition neither Mr Bossano nor Mr Picardo have provided positive, constructive checks on the GSD Government. Since his election as GSLP leader barely a few months ago Mr Picardo has shown an inability to stand by his proclaimed convictions [like when he failed to support the motion to reform Parliament] even though he says he is in favour of reform or by failing to properly prepare [like when he suggested the passage of bribery laws that had already been passed]. They and their party show scant evidence that the GSLP/Liberal 2011 model is any better than the 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2007 models repeatedly rejected by the

electorate. They cannot be trusted to have the political judgement necessary to govern Gibraltar now and in the future. The PDP radical policies on Style of Government that date back to our inception in 2006 are visionary and have set the agenda for change that the other parties are having to follow. Our radical policies on educ a t i on , env i ron men t , employment and the economy set the pace. The reality is that one has only to look at our 2007 manifesto and you will see that in many areas the PDP vision is being followed by others now. Our 2011 manifesto goes further and sets out visionary policies that will make Gibraltar a better place to live in. The GSD cannot give you the change many want and the GSLP/Liberals are a negative, retrograde step. Only the PDP can deliver the right change, the real and safe change that is required for our collective benefit.


KEY QUOTE

REAL CHANGE FOR…….

A NEW STYLE OF POLITICS accountable, inclusive, responsive , constructive

PLEDGE 1

Former Deputy Chief Minister,

served in Government in various

portfolios, 1996-2003, Barrister

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Chief Ministers to serve no more than 8 years

An end to arrogant decision-making and the culture of destructive, acrimonious politics

A new way of doing things more constructively – a different approach to governance

A Code of Conduct for Ministers and Civil Service Departments

Freedom of Information legislation

A “whistle-blowers” law to protect persons providing information that discloses wrong-doing

Parliamentary reform to make Government more accountable including televised Parliament and monthly Chief Minister’s question time

A commitment to electoral reform

A commitment to fixed-term Parliaments

Public meetings of Planning Commission to which all planning applications have to be submitted

The appointment of a Parliamentary Ombudsman to investigate and discipline members

An Independent Tender Board

A united front for Gibraltar at the United Nations

Greater consultation with the Opposition on foreign affairs, health and social services

A Referendum law to allow citizens to petition Parliament to put questions of public importance to a referendum

Greater online access to Government and Parliamentary information and statistics

A Parliamentary website for the greater availability of public information

A fair deal for long-term non-EU nationals on immigration, citizenship rights and access to public services

A Civil Partnership Law

A Civic Pride and Respect initiative

Legal Aid for Judicial Review challenges by associations and interest groups

Tougher sentences and Community Enhancement or Pay-Back Schemes for offenders

Increased resources for Probation services

A Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme

The appointment of a second Stipendiary Magistrate and full-time fourth Supreme Court Judge and increased human resources, training and technology support for Court staff

A Courts Service website to enhance information and access to justice

A New Style Of Politics


A NEW STYLE OF GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

This policy pledge covers style of government, parliamentary reform, accountability, civil liberties and justice issues.

“We believe in a new style of constructive politics and an end to arrogant, unaccountable decision-making.”

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There needs to be a radical shake-up of the way Gibraltar is governed that will lead to real improvements in the way decisions are made. This will then improve the policies that affect our daily lives.

The PDP has campaigned for a change to the way we are governed and for a new, more constructive style of politics since its launch in 2006. We set out a comprehensive policy entitled Living Democracy in 2006 which then formed part of our manifesto in 2007.

In March 2011 we announced a specific 20 point implementation programme for the first 18 months of a PDP Government. That programme would guarantee political regeneration, information, accountability and better Government. Our plan would be implemented in stages over four years. However in a series of measures during the first 18 months we will seek to make a very firm start to that plan. We set out that detail below.

The PDP is the positive choice for change at this forthcoming election. If we change the way Gibraltar is governed, if we improve consultation and accountability of decisions and we improve the way decisions are taken then we will have better decisions on health, housing or social services. There will be a real knock-on improvement on quality of life. This is as much an approach to how things should be done as well as a specific implementation of measures.

In late 2007 the GSD announced the creation of a Select Committee to work on recommendations to improve the way the Parliament works. While short of our policy the PDP welcomed it as a good first step. The promise made was that by October 2009 legislation giving effect to the recommendations of that Committee would be introduced. In fact the Committee met only once in four years and did not make any recommendations. It goes without saying that no legislation has emerged and still less been implemented.

The GSLP Opposition has been no better. They have shown very little, if any, interest in the area of democratic reform before April 2011 and despite saying they see urgent need for democratic reform they have done all they can to ensure that the political status quo remains unchanged. That is presumably, because they hope to be able to govern Gibraltar precisely in the way the GSD are governing now or worse still in the way the GSLP did before 1996. When put to the test on whether their commitment on parliamentary reform was genuine the GSLP refused to support a reform motion in September 2011 and blocked the attempt to carry out reforms to the composition of the Parliament. The fact is that the GSLP cannot be believed on reform.

CHANGING THE WAY WE ARE GOVERNED

OUR SPECIFIC CONTRACT ON

DEMOCRACY

Our Programme for Real Change

Style of Government is one of the top concerns of people across the political spectrum. Both the GSD and GSLP have paid lip service to democra-cy. We do not. At this election voters will have a simple choice. You can make the positive choice for change that the PDP represents or you can continue with the status quo with the GSD or risk a retrograde step with the GSLP.

To demonstrate that ours is a programme of real and specific change we are setting out what we would do in the first 6, 12 and 18 months of being elected to Government. The balance of the programme will be implemented within the remainder of the term of office.

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We will ensure that a PDP Chief Minister

answers questions on a monthly basis in the

Gibraltar Parliament and will introduce a Chief

Minister’s Questions to provide more

information to the public and a more frequent

opportunity to the Opposition to hold

Government to account. The Parliament will

also meet on a monthly basis and Ministers will

answer questions on their departments at least

bi-monthly;

We will establish a Cross-Party Committee on

Foreign Affairs with the elected Opposition

and increase consultation of the Opposition in

Foreign Affairs;

We will constitute a Select Committee on

Democracy that will examine issues of electoral

reform, the composition of the Parliament, the

procedures of the Parliament and report back

to the House within 12 months of being

elected to Government after having conducted

a public consultation process;

We will ensure that the meetings of the Parliament are televised thus improving public access to information and the accountability of Government;

We will introduce legislation appointing a Parliamentary Ombudsman who will be independent of the elected members and will have powers to investigate and sanction the conduct of members of the House;

We will introduce a Code of Practice of Government setting out timetables for timely replies by Ministers and departments in relation to any question by a member of the public and clearly setting out key principles of Freedom of Information that should be freely available on request;

WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS


We will establish a Public Accounts Committee of

the Parliament chaired by an Opposition Member to

scrutinize the way tax-payers monies are spent and

hold Government to better account in relation to

the use of public finances

We will introduce legislation to provide

that Chief Ministers should be subject to

term-limits of 8 years and seek an

amendment to the Constitution to

guarantee that change;

We will ask the Leader of the Opposition to

join a PDP Chief Minister in a joint

Gibraltar delegation when Gibraltar attends

before the Fourth Committee or Committee

of 24 of the United Nations;

We will appoint an Independent Tender Board for the consideration and award of public tenders the composition of which will include civil serv-ants and independent members to guarantee bet-ter public scrutiny and transparency. The body will be chaired by the Finance Minister and we will invite a member of the Opposition onto the Board;

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We will review the composition and procedures of statutory bodies, authorities, commissions and government-related entities to ensure that these work better, are more responsive to the public and are more independent of Government. Where necessary we will ensure that their composition is changed to improve the constitutional checks and balances on governmental power. For example:

we would ensure that the Police Authority

and GBC have members on those bodies proposed by the Leader of the Opposition;

We would also support that the Development and Planning Commission hold its meetings in public, ensure objectors rights to appear and be heard are enshrined in law and that all planning applications including Government projects are subject to this scrutiny.

We will introduce Freedom of Information legislation;

We will introduce Public Interest Disclosure legislation to protect persons who supply information which results in wrongdoing being exposed [Whistleblowers Legislation];

We will present legislation to the Parliament following consideration of the Report of the Select Committee on Democracy. While clearly we could not prejudge the recommendations of that process we make clear that we support and will seek a mandate at this election for:

An enlargement of the House to 25

members; That enlargement does not represent an

additional cost during the first four years; Electoral reform to ensure 8 or 10 seats are

elected on proportional representation basis; A cap on the number of Ministers to 9;

A system of backbenchers on the Government and Opposition sides to enhance freer debate and accountability of the Executive;

The appointment of backbenchers onto the Health Authority and Social Services Agency;

The greater use of Cross-Party Committees with the Opposition on Health and Social Services, Housing, Environment and Transport;

A review of standing orders to improve the flow of information to the public and the Opposition;

The introduction of an online system of access to the public for the debates, questions and answers and any information given in the Parliament [Hansard]. There will be a specific Parliamentary website;

The introduction of legislation to govern the convening of referenda on public questions of importance if this has the backing of a petition by 20% of the electorate

Fixed Term Parliaments – by which an election would have to be held no later than 60 days after the fourth anniversary of the last general elections. Governments should not cling on to power. After the four year period is up there should not be the present ability to hang on for 5 months.

We will present a programme for refurbishment of the Parliament. Our democratic institutes must be respected and enhanced as a symbol of our


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constitutional democracy and our rights as a people. We firmly believe that the implementation of these measures will overhaul the way we are governed and radically improve the way decisions are made that affect the quality of life of people.

We have for many years been committed to a policy of equality, eradicating discrimination and fostering greater integration of our cosmopolitan society. Some of the measures we advocate may not be populist in nature but we believe that they are the right thing to do to achieve a stable and fair society.

Long-term non-EU nationals

Nowhere is this seen most strongly than in the policy adopted in relation to long-term non-EU nationals. We believe that long-term non-EU nationals – especially in the Moroccan and Indian communities of Gibraltar – deserve special treatment and that Government should ensure that fairer policies are adopted in relation to those citizens. Many have been here for 20 or 30 years and rightly consider Gibraltar their home. Depriving these citizens of equal access to rights and services can de-stabilise and create disharmony as well as making these citizens feel aggrieved.

We would extend benefits enjoyed by and responsibilities expected of Gibraltarians to long-term non-EU nationals of good character. These would include housing, access to healthcare, welfare and pensions benefits. Additionally subject to discussion with the British Government and the adoption of anti-abuse provisions we would

support a more liberal naturalization p o l i c y . P o s t naturalization these long-term residents would acquire the right to vote. With r i g h t s c o m e responsibilities and the duty to ensure smooth integration into the local c om mu n i t y by immigrants that h a v e c h o s e n Gibraltar as their home and their full commitment to Gibraltar’s core values of religious tolerance and respect.

Social Integration

It is important to ensure that our cosmopolitan, multi-religious society remains stable and that there is mutual respect and tolerance. That is the key to a harmonious and united community. There may also be all manner of issues that arise that affect particular sectors of society that Government needs to be aware of. Side by side with our policy of public awareness on Civic Pride we will establish regular dialogue with representatives of the Jewish, Hindu and Moslem communities to ensure issues of concern are considered by Government.

New Entrants

There is a distinction between long-term non-EU nationals resident in Gibraltar and new entrants. While we see the importance of equal and fair treatment for long-term residents who have shown

KENNETH NAVAS

Barrister and Treasurer

of the Bar Council

CIVIL LIBERTIES, EQUALITY AND JUSTICE

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loyalty and commitment to Gibraltar over the years we do also consider there is a risk in unrestricted or unwelcome new immigration. Accordingly we would combine the positive integration of long-term residents with a strict immigration policy towards new entrants. We would introduce a points system like other countries to ensure proper controls to beneficial immigration.

Civil Partnership

It was a commitment in our 2007 manifesto, repeated here, that the PDP would introduce a Civil Partnership Act similar to English legislation. This would entitle same sex unions to access to benefits in a number of fields – for example housing, tax, welfare and health on a non-discriminatory basis and as provided to other couples. Once this is in place we will keep the matter under review in the context of the evolving rights of people.

Legal Aid and Assistance

The PDP is committed to reforming our Legal Aid and Assistance law to raise financial limits and thereby give more people access to justice via this publicly funded scheme. Statutory non-Governmental bodies [such as the Heritage Trust] will also be given a right to public funding in the discharge of its public functions. A review is particularly important in the context of the new criminal procedure legislation to ensure that Defendants get proper representation.

Police and Broadcasting

These policy fields are especially sensitive and as such we would amend the law to ensure that the Leader of the Opposition has the right to appoint members onto the Police Authority and the Board of GBC.

These authorities should be properly funded and maintain their operational independence of Government. As such the PDP supports and would

continue with the investment programme announced into GBC. It would publish the full King report on recommendations made into GBC.

The Government’s position as a provider of advertising to certain newspapers and not others has been under criticism. The PDP would also support the establishment of an Independent Press Watchdog to provide a forum for the media to complain about actions of the Government and allow members of the public to complain about the press.

Criminal Procedure Legislation

While we support much of the new Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act there are aspects that raise concerns of civil liberties, training or resources. We would delay commencement of this legislation to 1 September 2012 to give more time for judiciary, practitioners and staff to become familiar with the new law and have access to adequate training. In that time we would, in parallel, also consider whether some of those provisions – such as the encroachment into the Defendant’s right to silence – should be commenced at all. Subject to consultation with the Bar Council and the Attorney General we make clear that we do not support the commencement of provisions that will water down existing constitutional rights.

Civic Pride and Respect

There is much to be done to instill more respect of the environment in which we live and of others. Discipline and respect seem to be eroding qualities in modern society. We would dedicate resources to a public awareness campaign on the themes of restoring greater civic pride, respect and appreciation of the community in which we live.

Anti-Social Behaviour, Sentencing and the Consequences of Crime

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Greater civic pride needs to be combined with a series of measures to enhance the powers of authorities to curb and deal with anti-social behaviour and the consequences of criminality. We support the provisions in new Criminal laws on anti-social behaviour orders. While we do not support the widespread introduction of CCTV we would introduce that measure in trouble hot-spots identified by the police or in certain housing areas to deter vandalism and crime.

The Attorney General would also be asked to chair a review committee into sentencing penalties generally and make recommendations as to whether these should be amended in any particular field.

That committee would be tasked on making recommendations on a system of Community Pay-Back and Responsibility Schemes by which offenders would be put to work on a particular project of community enhancement to partly serve a sentence for a particular crime. To support all this we will enhance the resources of the Probation Service.

Moreover with assistance and input from the Gibraltar Regiment and Royal Gibraltar Police a civic pride, responsibility and discipline programme would exist as a first pre-custodial option for anti-social behaviour.

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A NEW STYLE OF

POLITICS

In consultation with the Judiciary we would support the appointment of a local Sentencing Guidelines Board chaired by the Chief Justice to reflect any particular local trends in judicial sentencing policy. Whilst any decision on sentencing will ultimately be for Judges in light of such sentencing guidelines as may be applicable we would want to ensure a tougher framework of penalties is in place for use in the context of a zero tolerance policy approach towards repeat offenders.

We wi l l su ppor t t he establishment of a Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme to compensate victims of crime.

Gibraltar Defence Police

We believe that Gibraltar Defence Police should be integrated into the Royal Gibraltar Police and that the officers and functions of the GDP should be transferred to the RGP. We would consult the GDP and RGP to achieve this policy objective in a constructive and efficient way. Any integration would be

subject to the agreement of the GDP and RGP after that full process of consultation and negotiation.

Court Resources

The GSD have invested s i g n i f i c a n t l y i n c ou r t infrastructure. We supported that policy as there had not been an investment in the courts for decades. There is now a need to review human resources and assist the staff to be able to service the new courts service with efficiency and adequate support. We will recruit more court staff and provide greater training and technology support.

We will establish a permanent

consultative committee of Court Users chaired by the J u s t i c e M i n i s t e r s o Government is aware of resourcing and administrative concerns faced by users.

We will recruit a second Stipendiary Magistrate to assist in the heavy workload of magistrates and coroners courts. We will also make permanent the post of fourth Supreme Court Judge. Subject to consultation with the Judiciary we would be committed to introducing a Judicial Internship Scheme for law graduates.

Additionally we will establish a Court Services website that will have diary information and access to legal resources.

Tobacco Smuggling

We will support the police in their efforts against the com-mission of crime generally. Additionally we would want to see a tougher approach against the petty tobacco smuggling that is carried out by people who cross to and from Spain across the frontier causing a semi-permanent nuisance to residents of Glacis and Laguna

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LOWER PERSONAL TAX AND

BETTER ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT

PLEDGE 2

Nick Cruz

Barrister, former Chairman of

ATCOM and member of the

Gibraltar Finance Centre Council.


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The reduction of personal tax to 20% within 12 months of a first PDP budget A programme of reduction of gross and net debt Environmentally targeted taxation A Business Centre to handle one-stop shop business A New Town Project with residential, commercial and industrial infrastructure More office space Better utilities and telecoms infrastructure The establishment of an Office of Fair Trading An e-Service initiative to allow business to be conducted with Government

and public bodies online A programme of investment in our Tourist sites and urban, natural and marine

heritage A Cruise Embarkation Terminal within 4 years Eastside beaches project to protect and enhance our beaches All year round beach maintenance A Sites Transport System for tourists Better Air and Maritime Links A School of Service Excellence in Tourism A dedicated Minister for Shipping A Strategic Review of the Port The Relocation of facilities on North Mole Enhanced marketing for tourism, trading and financial services sectors A dedicated Minister for Financial Services A New Bank for Gibraltar to provide retail services A review of banking services to the public and financial services providers A Financial Services Ombudsman The negotiation of double taxation agreements

LOWER PERSONAL TAX & BETTER ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT


The management of the economy is crucial for our development as a people. There is a need to follow a policy of economic growth, consolidation of existing economic pillars and diversification into new and niche areas. While the economy has grown steadily so has public debt which is now in gross and net terms at the highest level ever. Gross debt is at over 450M pounds and net debt this year is at about 220M pounds. While in percentage terms of GDP this may still be relatively low the fact is that there is not too much financial leeway for a new Government given that the borrowing ceiling this year is about 305M pounds. It is also true that Gibraltar’s net public debt has grown significantly over the last few years when worldwide other countries are making efforts to reduce public debt.

This is achievable by a programme of economic growth and more prudent economic management. It is the easiest thing in the world to spend other people’s money. Over-reliance on borrowing is not vision or responsible economics. The PDP believe in a confident but cautious management of the economy that will aim to restore lower debt and at the same time encourage continued growth and the realisation of capital projects.

The issue of prioritization has been best seen in the context of the Airport Terminal project. A new Terminal was needed but we have consistently said that necessary infrastructure such as roads, electricity grid, transport, business facilities and social projects should have first been sorted out. It would have been our political judgment to do just that. That, in our view, would not only have been responsible but would have laid the basis of a proper economic expansion.

One negative consequence of the development of the finance centre is that increasingly well-known internationally branded banks have moved towards only offering private client or top end banking. Additionally the global economic downturn and banking crisis has resulted in the macro global picture negatively affecting banks attitude to risk and credit facilities. Banking policy towards Gibraltar is largely decided on a macro basis outside Gibraltar. Local b u s i n e s s s u f f e r s t h e consequences of that policy. As such we believe the Government should play a role in facilitating the establishment of a new retail bank preferably with corporate partners of international standing in the banking world. If necessary the Government should take a stake in such a new

ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT AND THE ECONOMY

BUSINESS

In Government the PDP would be committed not to increase overall net public debt over the four years of office. Additionally we would aim, by achieving further revenue from growth, to seek to reduce net public debt as a percentage of GDP.

Gibraltar Retail Bank

We would establish a Gibraltar retail bank that would have as its primary focus the promotion of sma l l and med ium s i ze businesses.

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bank. Deposit taking, retail facilities and prudent credit faci l i t ies associated with traditional retail and high street banks would form part of the necessary portfolio of services that a Gibraltar Retail Bank would offer.

Industrial and Business Infrastructure

More must be done to increase the business and industrial infrastructure available by way of offices, workshops and industrial space. There is obvious land scarcity but we would conduct land reclamation if necessary having regard to environmental impact of such works. Under the Development and Planning part of this manifesto we set out our plans for a New Town project. Within that we will provide commercial and tourism zones. The tourism zone would focus on hotel and resort facilities, marina and water related sports centres and leisure. The commercial zone would contain a mix of office, storage and ware-housing facilities.

The provision of industrial space and ware-housing on the Eastside of Gibraltar close to Devil’s Tower Road could then result in many heavy goods vehicles not travelling further into Gibraltar and as such de-

congest and protect the road infrastructure further.

We would also assess the pos s i b i l i t i e s o f fu r t he r reclamation within the Port area that could be used for industrial activities that would complement the shipping industry such as transshipment or ware-housing. There would be no reclamation without an Environmental

Impact Assessment and full consultation with environmental NGOs.

Apart from the New Town project we recognise there is a need for high-quality, modern office space to attract new investment into Gibraltar and provide much needed expansion or consolidation space for existing businesses.

Utilities and Telecoms Infrastructure

The Government must take a much bigger interest in ensuring that the causes of the regular power cuts that Gibraltar has been suffering are dealt with. We would ensure that the electricity grid was robust and could sustain the demands of business and residential consumer.

Equally our telecommunications infrastructure must be better and provide much faster bandwidth more cheaply. If we are to remain competitive we need to be at the cutting edge of telecoms.

Gibraltar Business Centre

We would establish a centralised Business Centre that would encompass representatives from all Government departments relevant to business activity

DILIP TAILOR

Certified IT Instructor.

He is the Chairman of

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namely DTI, Finance Centre, trade licensing, income tax, vehicle registration, land registry, employment etc. The Gibraltar Business Centre would contain representatives of relevant operators of public registries or land agents of the Government for example Companies House, Land Property Services and Yacht Registry. The objective of the Business Centre would be to facilitate set-up and the running of business. It will remove unnecessary bureaucracy by creating a one-stop shop environment.

An e-Service initiative

The provision of services to the public needs to step into the 21st Century. The establishment of a centralised business centre wou l d c omp l e me n t t he introduction of another separate drive to ensure that more business and general interface with Government and public bodies can be done online. This will cut across all departments and bodies providing a public service in any field be it financial services, trade or any other area.

Competition Regulator/Office of Fair Trading and Trade Licensing Regime

We believe in the free market and consider that protectionist

measures are warranted in only exceptional circumstances. They should not be the norm. As such, in principle, and subject to consultation with business groups we are committed to the repeal of the Trade Licensing Act and the replacement of it by a licensing regime which will allow the general establishment of bus iness subjec t to compliance with administrative registration requirements. What s h o u l d h a p p e n i s t h e introduction of legislation regulating and restricting unfair competition and monopolies. We would also appoint a Competition Regulator/Office of Fair Trading

Business Gateway

We would forge greater links with traditional markets such as London and Europe while at the same time develop links with newer markets such as Morocco or other non-EU jurisdictions which may provide a natural or complementary source of business to Gibraltar. This policy impacts not only on trade but also on financial services, tourism and shipping. Gibraltar’s position as a key business gateway should be strengthened and developed.

In 2007 the PDP recommended the immediate reduction of corporate tax to 10% to ensure a competitive jurisdiction for inward investment. The GSD did not. Finally in January 2011the GSD Government followed our advice and reduced corporate tax to 10%. In the first six months as predicted by the PDP corpora te tax - take increased by 30%. We would maintain this level of corporate tax but review it regularly in light of competitor jurisdictions.

PERSONAL TAX

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It is necessary to have low personal tax to attract foreign businesses that have a choice of jurisdictions. The long-term objective is to reduce this even further in keeping with corporate tax rates so that more money is kept in your pocket. Reducing personal tax would be achieved by economic growth, increasing the corporate tax take as a result and by replacing

traditional sources of revenue of the Government.

Double Taxation Agreements

We would try to negotiate double taxation agreements with a number of other countries to make Gibraltar more attractive to individuals and inward investment. We would consult with the Finance Centre Council on these matters.

Environmentally Targeted Taxation

We believe that a firmer connection must be made between taxation policy and the environment. Specific fiscal measures, levies and duties on certain goods should be channeled into improvements to

our built and natural heritage or public health measures.

A Specia l Minis ter ia l Responsibility

The PDP would appoint a specific Minister for Shipping separate to the Ministers for Tourism and Financial Services. It makes sense that each of the three main pillars of our economy should have a dedicated minister responsible for the area. This shows the PDP’s commitment to a private sector driven economy and a recognition that better economic management requires sharing responsibility, rather than treating the driving of the economy as a matter for the incumbent of No 6 Convent place.

Strategic Review

A d d i t i o na l l y we wo u l d commission a strategic review of the Port to target investment and expand its activities. The possibilities of developing greater trans-shipment facilities or ware-housing would be examined. If necessary specific reclamation would be completed within the Port area.

SHIPPING

Income Tax

The PDP is committed to lower personal tax and to achieve a maximum top rate of 20% within 12 months of the first PDP budget.

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A PDP Government would study this possibility together with the industry. Additionally it is important that the emergency management plans and resources to combat the risk of any pollution incident are reviewed and strengthened.

North Mole Sullage Plant & Cruise Liner Terminal

The recent North Mole tank explosion has brought into question whether it is possible to continue to locate cruise terminal facilities adjacent to industrial activities such as the sullage plant. The PDP considers both are important activities that should continue. Expert advice would be necessary before deciding which activity to relocate and where to relocate one of these activities. The PDP would consult with operators and commission a study to make recommendations in this respect. The use of the detached mole for industrial

activities and the North Mole for Cruise liner activity should be seriously explored.

Gibraltar has many millions of tourists a year despite a lame, passive tourism policy. The PDP would encourage 3-5 day stay tourism that would utilize Gibraltar’s natural geographical location as a stay and set off point for cruise liners, trips to Spain, Morocco and Portugal. The development of our tourism industry must be sensitive to our urban, natural and marine heritage. Wherever possible we would encourage the use of public transport for tourism to minimise the impact on the environment and achieve de-congestion of roads. A PDP Government would take a number of specific measures to sustainably develop tourism and

Bunkering

The PDP are against bunkering off the East side of Gibraltar but recognise the value of the regulated continuance of bunkering on the west side ideally by bringing this activity onshore as far as possible.

TOURISM

There is a need for a prog ramme of mass ive investment in tourism. This is one of the key pillars of our economy and yet some of the natural assets are insufficiently maintained and not enough done to make sustainable use of Gibraltar as a centre for eco-tourism.

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the income and jobs it can generate:

Sites Bus - We will encourage the establishment of a hop-on/hop-off transport system that will go around the major tourism sites like is the case in other major European cities;

Other Public Transport – all other public transport would be reviewed in consultation with industry representatives. We would improve and develop our transport system including the services currently offered by our taxi services to tourists and business users alike. A PDP government believes that a taxi service of the highest standard is a vital ingredient of a successful

tourist and business hub and in consultation with the taxi association and other parties including the Chamber of Commerce and Gibraltar Finance Centre Council a PDP Government would not shy away from tackling what is clearly an unresolved issue;

Conservation & Site Development - We will dedicate resources for the regular maintenance and recovery of our urban and natural heritage and their proper management so that these add to the visitor experience of Gibraltar. The Upper Rock Nature Reserve and old town are in particular need of a programme of investment;

Air/Maritime Links - We w o u l d a c t i v e l y p u r s u e discussions with operators and airlines to encourage the expansion in the number of air routes and maritime links to Gibraltar. This policy would target the encouragement of high quality 3-5 day stay tourism;

Hotels - Equally we will pursue discussions with low-cost as well as luxury hotel operators to encourage their establishment in Gibraltar thereby expanding the number of beds available for tourism and increasing the range of products available. Existing hotels will be encouraged to upgrade their general services especially to take account of business travellers. We would encourage Boutique Hotels particularly in the old town as part of the beautification of the old town that would form part of increasing the heritage investment in our tourist product;

Cr ui se Embar ka t ion Terminal -

We would seek to establish a p u r p o s e - b u i l t C r u i s e Embarkation Terminal within 4 years. This will allow the development of home-porting facilities for cruise operators and will deliver an important diversification of this industry;

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Be a c h Upgr a de on Eastside – the New Town project will include a project to upgrade and enhance the Eastern Beach, Catalan Bay and Sandy Bay areas;

S c h o o l o f S e r v i c e Excellence - We will introduce a system of training in Urban and Natural Heritage to support the programme of investment in eco-tourism and to incorporate and build on the existing vocational qualification system. This will go hand in hand with training to improve service across the tourist industry;

Marketing - The marketing of Gibraltar should not revolve around an attendance at a handful of annual trade fairs. As such the PDP will review the entire marketing effort of the Tourism department in consultation with the industry . We would encourage 3-5 day stay tourism that would utilize Gibraltar’s natural heritage and geographical

location as a stay and set off point for trips to Spain, Morocco and Portugal;

Eco-Tourism - We will encourage marine eco-tourism in terms of sailing charters, regulated angling, diving and dolphin watching as long as these activities use our marine environment sensitively;

Events-Based Tourism - As part of our policy towards improving sports stadia and facilities we would encourage the hos t ing of in t e rna t iona l tournaments at all levels (from juniors to veterans) thereby increasing 3-5 day stay Sports tourism. This would be in a wide range of sports but with particular focus on team sports that generally result in squads of 15-30+ travelling to Gibraltar for

the duration of a tournament. Football, hockey, basketball, cricket and rugby are obvious sports.

Marketing – we would review the marketing strategy of the financial services department to improve it and to consider expanding it to new areas. The budget would be increased where necessary because discreet marketing in financial services will deliver key results. This marketing campaign should not only tackle specific areas such as funds, trusts or insurance but would also reassess the overall marketing of Gibraltar as a finance centre. The type of style of governance promoted by the PDP is such that there would be

Beach Maintenance - We will put in place an all-year round Beach Maintenance Programme and apply to jo in the internationally recognised Blue Flag Scheme as an endorsement of our beaches and marinas;

FINANCIAL SERVICES

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regular consultation with the industry. Bi-monthly meetings between industry as represented by the Gibraltar Finance Centre Council and a dedicated Minister for Financial Services would be the minimum. In conjunction with the GFCC a PDP Government would adopt any existing and future finance centre marketing initiatives where possible.

Financial Services Minister – a dedicated Minister would be given responsibility for this area. We would apply all necessary resources to support the existing department of the Finance Centre Director including its marketing plans and the employment of sector specialist and public relations specialist in London and other key markets identified by the industry;

Human Resources – in conjunction with a strengthening of the marketing resources of the department more personnel would be recruited to fulfil the wider remit of the department;

Inward Investment Targets – should be identified and reviewed from time to time in diverse areas of the finance sector. T h e s e w o u l d i n c l u d e : concentration on the development of the existing main sectors and service lines, these being: online gaming; ecommerce; insurance;

funds; investment management; private clients and in consultation with the GFCC new sectors and markets.:

Attraction of other Banking players – as part of the general marketing strategy of the Government the Finance Ministry would proactively encourage and incentivise the establishment of new banking operators;

Companies House – there needs to be an upgrade of services provided by the public corporate register of Gibraltar. For example onl ine f i l ings of certa in documentat ion should be permissible. We would work with the currently privately -run Registry to ensure this;

Specific Products – we will work with financial service representatives to refine laws that will assist Gibraltar and attract inward investment in areas such as t r u s t s , l i m i t e d l i a b i l i t y

partnerships, foundations, funds and insurance;

F i n a n c i a l S e r v i c e s Ombudsman – we support the appointment of a Financial Services Ombudsman who would have specific statutory powers to investigate complaints against financial services institutions and powers to make recommendations and issue sanctions;

Recognition of Gibraltar’s

Status- a PDP Government would apply the necessary resources to ensure recognition of Gibraltar’s rights within the European Union and the removal of Gibraltar from blacklists;

Investment in Infrastructure

-The PDP recognise that the finance centre’s growth could be constrained by the availability of quality office space. We would therefore use the Gibraltar Retail Bank to assist local developers and construction companies to obtain the necessary finance to build high quality office space. Importantly we would also allocate land as required to that purpose;

Banking – generally must be made easier. It is too difficult to open accounts or transact normal business in Gibraltar. This is the result of unreasonable application of protocols by institutions. A PDP financial services Minister would work with the FSC and the banking industry to address the concerns of business and finance sector users;

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KEY QUOTE



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PLEDGE 3

Elliott Phillips Barrister and PDP General Secretary,

supports a number local military veteran

associations with particular emphasis on

the preservation and promotion of

Gibraltar’s military history and heritage.


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An Independent Review of Comprehensive School Standards

A new Bayside School Complex at a purpose-built site

Means-tested subsidy for nursery education

A commitment to provide a morning slot to all children of pre-school age in their catchment area

Tax allowances for nursery education

A review of teaching resources

School leaving age to be raised to 16

Compulsory teaching of local history and constitutional development from 6-16

A vocational and technical training scheme and qualifications

Establishment of an apprenticeship scheme under the responsibility of the Education Department

Integration of special needs children in mainstream schooling where possible

Better guidance and advice for students on the needs of the job market

Rises in statutory sick leave, unemployment benefit and minimum wage

Better safety at work through a variety of preventative, enforcement and compensation mechanisms

No stamp duty for first-time home buyers under 35

Priority to young couples and young single mothers in rental or home purchase schemes

The construction of a cultural complex encompassing a theatre, conference centre and art gallery

Cultural grants and funding of various activities

A new football pitch and a rugby pitch

A resurfaced main pitch at Victoria Stadium

Cricket facilities at Europa Point

The extension of the Rosia swimming pool to provide better facilities for training and international

competition to Gibraltar’s swimmers

Identification of areas for the berthing of small boats


The concept of be t te r opportunities is largely geared towards giving young people a good start in life in terms of their education, skills and training when it comes to facing t h e j o b m a r k e t . O u r commitments to young people are not only across the educational sphere but also span the areas of Employment, Sport, Culture and Leisure.

According to statistics published by the Joint Council for Qualifications in the United Kingdom in respect of exams taken in summer 2011:

27% of UK students taking A levels achieve the A* or A grade. In Gibraltar only 19% of students achieved those grades;

The average number of A* grades by gender in the UK was 8.2% for boys and 8.2% for girls. In Gibraltar the statistics for A* grades are 3.2% for boys and 6.3% for girls;

50.4% of UK boys and 54.4% of UK girls attain grades between A* and B. The comparative statistics in Gibraltar are 43% for boys and 45% for girls;

In UK the number of students attaining A*-E grades is 97.8% and it is 95% in Gibraltar.

There are a number of issues that arise from A level results that should be investigated properly by the authorities: 1. there needs to be a review as

to why students have under-performed in so many subjects and generally in comparison with the UK average;

2. it is noteworthy that the level of entries for girls [361] was significantly higher than that for boys [230]. There is

MOIRA WALSH Retired Teacher and

former Vice-President

of the Gibraltar

Teacher’s Association

School Standards In Government the PDP would commission an Independent Review on Comprehensive School Standards to examine the causes of recent exam under-performance at “A” Level and G C S E a n d m a k e recommendations as to how the teaching environment, facilities and resources could be enhanced to improve the overall performance of these schools. We need to make sure that our students get the best chance of succeeding academically.

EDUCATION

YOUNG PEOPLE

A s t h e T a b l e b e l o w demonstrates our students in 2011 sat A level exams in 23 subjects. With the notable exceptions of Maths and Geography (only girls sat the exam) in a comparison of performance at A*-B grades Gibraltar students under-performed the UK average in every subject sometimes significantly so. Gibraltar students even under-performed the UK average in the usually strong area of Spanish at A level.

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no obvious reason why there are more girls than boys sitting exams;

3. while the UK have noted a bridging of the gap between results for boys and girls the situation in Gibraltar is very different. Girls still seem to do better than boys by a significant margin. In the sciences this is particularly dramatic. In biology, chemistry and physics the number of boys attaining A*-B grades was 6%, 33% and 28% respectively. For girls the comparative results are 48%, 60% and 60% respectively. The causes for this also need to be investigated.

As such, far from the Gibraltar results at A level comparing “favourably” with the UK as the Minister for Education stated in his press release of 18 August 2011 the results actually show that Gibraltar compares disfavourably with the UK average. Either this is a combination of ignorance and spin by the GSD or worse still the GSD is knowingly disregarding or ignoring the actual comparators. Additionally the PDP is surprised that the GSLP should simply take the GSD’s statements at face-value without bothering to carry out its own assessment of the facts

demonstrating yet again un-researched and reckless policy m a k i n g . A n y p r o p e r comparison could only reveal that the true story is far from the picture painted by the GSD. Such a politically gullible and superficial approach from the GSLP calls into question its ability to govern. An analysis of GCSE results reveals a similar pattern. According to statistics issued by the Jo int Counc i l for Qualifications [JCQ] in respect of Summer 2011 GCSEs the average overall pass rate for A*-C grades at national UK level was 69.8%. In Gibraltar the comparative pass-rate for the same grades was 66.5%. That however was the overall rate achieved when counting the distorting effects produced by the results of students at Spanish GCSE where our students always excel. If those results are stripped out to establ ish a more even comparison the overall pass-rate of our schools at GCSE level was 62.4% for boys and 62.8% for girls. In other words approximately 7% below the UK average. The JCQ also published statistics of results by school type. Independent and Academy schools far outstripped the performance of UK

comprehensives. But our schools do not compare favourably even against UK comprehensives. The table below compares the cumulative average percentages of students achieving the various grades from A* to C for UK comprehensives and our comprehensives [having stripped out the distorting effects of results for Spanish GCSE]:

Gibraltar comprehensives are generally performing below the average UK comprehensive. T h e y a r e w e l l b e l o w Independent Schools where 90.4% of students achieve grades A*-C and Academy Schools where 72.2% of students achieve grades A*-C. Taken together with the results at “A” level these results reveal a pattern of under-performance

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A Level Comparison – UK Average /Gibraltar Average Results 2011

SUBJECT

UK Average % [Male + Female]

A*-B Grade As published by Joint

Council for Qualifications

GIB Average % [Male + Female]

A*-B Grade As drawn from official statistics published by

Ministry for Education.

COMMENTS

ART & DESIGN 57.8 53.8

BIOLOGY 52.1 35.1

BUSINESS STUDIES 43.5 33.3

CHEMISTRY 59.5 54.5

ECONOMICS 63.3 no boys

ENGLISH LIT 49.4 38.2

FRENCH 69.4 45.4

GEOGRAPHY 58 100 Only girls sat this exam.

HEBREW No individual stat

available in UK 100 One student

HISTORY 56.3 49.9

HISTORY OF ART No individual stat

available in UK 0

6 students; 4 passes all at grades C

ITALIAN No individual stat

available in UK 0

2 passes at grades C and

E.

MATHS 66.4 68.09

MATHS [FURTHER] 79 100 One student

MUSIC 43.9 16.6

PERFORMANCE STUDIES 46.9 42.1

PHYSICS 55.2 40.7

PRODUCT DESIGN No individual stat

available in UK 33

PSYCHOLOGY 43.3 26.2

RELIGIOUS STUDIES 57.8 40

SOCIOLOGY 45.8 31.3 Only boys

SPANISH 66.5 63.9

SPORTS STUDIES 36.5 18.75

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School Students Obtaining A* Grade

Students Obtaining

A* and A Grade

Students Obtaining

A* to B Grades

Students Obtaining

A* to C Grades

Average UK Comprehensive - Statistics from the JCQ

5.30% 18.80% 40.40% 66.90%

Bayside 4.40% 16.30% 37.40% 62.40%

Westside 4.20% 17.30% 41.70% 62.80%

School Leaving Age and Co-Education

The Review Commission on Standards would be asked to consider whether there should b e c o - e d u c a t i o n a l comprehensive schools and whether a Sixth Form College should be established. Subject to the Independent Review the

PDP is in principle committed to the idea of pooling sixth form resources as it would give A Level students a wider choice of subjects.

The PDP is also committed to raising the school leaving age to 16.

Facilities and Resources

Side by side with any re-evaluation of standards there would be a need to review the resources needed in terms of staffing levels and facilities. More teaching posts may be necessary in the context of the i m p l e me n t a t i o n o f a ny recommendations.

The fact is that Bayside School should be relocated to a new modern and purpose-built facility. It has outgrown its current location that could be used for alternative educational purposes or even for an expansion of the Victoria Stadium Sports complex.

performance by improving resources, facilities and the teaching environment. Our teachers need to be supported in their important work and if that means the allocation of greater resources that is what the Government should do. There is no greater investment in our society than in education for our children. Being below average is simply not good enough. The raising of comprehensive school standards will be a key PDP commitment at this forthcoming election.

The fact is that we have not had a real debate on educational standards for years. There are individual success stories and those students should be congratulated. Indeed so must the efforts of parents and teachers be acknowledged and supported. But the reality is that these results show that our schools under-performed the average UK comprehensive in 2011. Education cannot be a taboo subject. We should not, in any event, aspire simply to do as well as the average UK inner city comprehensive. We should aspire to do much better than that and to raise our school standards to those comparative with Academy Schools. That is the PDP target.

As a first step we would commission an Independent Review of Standards within the first three months of being elected to Government. We would seek wide -ranging recommendations to enhance

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St Christopher’s school should remain a school when handed over by the MOD to alleviate the pressure on St Joseph’s School.

The PDP recognize that encouraging students to do any course available even if there are no jobs in Gibraltar for the graduate to return to is neither a good use of the tax payers’ resources nor assists the student with their natural desire to return home sooner or later. Gibraltar does not benefit needing instead to employ foreigners rather than h o m e - g r o w n t a l e n t . Communication and career advice between industry , Government and the schools needs to be more coordinated and regular.

A policy will be adopted of special grants over and above the

standard grants to make the study of special subjects where there is a social or business need more attractive to prospective students. This will ensure that we are training local people to take over key jobs in the health, social services, the economy and in finance.

Means-testing will be removed for postgraduate education in subjects that have been identified as important to the economy or for social or medical services. That is consistent with our policy of guiding Gibraltar graduates towards jobs that are needed locally.

The PDP is also committed in providing funds for continuing

education and assistance to those undertaking distance-learning courses.

Special Needs

We will ensure that there are sufficient resources to provide for special needs children and that these are assisted so that they can be placed in mainstream education as much as possible.

St Bernadette’s should also become a training centre to allow special needs pupils entry into the work place through sheltered employment.

The PDP would commit itself to providing a new Bayside School at another location.

Grants, Fees and Distance-Learning

The PDP will uphold the policy of insulating students from changes in fees levied by UK universities and colleges and will continue the grant system.

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Those persons not entitled to a

subsidy will be entitled to a full tax

allowance of all monies spent on

nursery education. This should also

assist parents and mother returning

to work.

We are committed to providing a

pre-school morning slot to all

children [aged 3-4] in their

catchment area.

All nurseries [public or private] will

be subject to regular inspections by

the Education Department and their

s t a n d a r d s a n d s y s t e m s

independently audited.

Extra teachers and learning support

assistants need to be employed at

primary level [4-12 years] to ensure

every child including those with

special needs get proper support.

In accordance with programmes on

health education school tuck shops

would only be permitted to sell

products that accord with healthy

eating standards. The budget for

health education would be

increased.

Guidance to students - The PDP is committed to ensure that the Education and Employment departments work together more closely to guide prospective students as to areas of likely employment for returning graduates and in identifying core skills needed in the economy to guide the training needs for non-academic courses.

There are areas in the economy where it is obvious that local people are under-represented in terms of skills. This occurs in two main spheres – the area of traditional skills, carpentry, joinery, electrical trades, masonry – and professional financial or medical/clinical areas.

Vocational & Technical Training - We feel there is a need to enhance vocational and technical training relevant to employment opportunities in Gibraltar. It is essential to give all our young people the opportunities to realize their potential. A vocational route would need to be provided for children in parallel to the academic route. This would have two main entry points at aged 14 or at 16 after GCSEs. This Vocational Route would need to be designed by the Education and Employment departments working in conjunct ion. Vocational qualifications would

Nursery, Pre-School and School

We will introduce a means-tested

subsidy for nursery education to

facilitate the provision of nursery

education for children. This will

prioritise lower-income single

working parents.

The Teaching of Gibraltar History

and Constitutional Development

It is important to teach our history on a more formal basis to encourage understanding of our identity as a people. The Education Department will be tasked with developing an adequate syllabus for the teaching of Gibraltar h is tory and const i tut ional development. This will be compulsory between the ages of 6-16. Our objective would be that after discussions with the relevant UK examining board children cou ld s i t an appropr ia te examination in the subject in parallel with other GCSEs.

EMPLOYMENT, SKILLS AND TRAINING

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be provided via this route.

Apprenticeship Scheme – apart from the formal vocational training route we should ensure there is an efficient, well-run and well-resourced apprenticeship scheme that can place young people in employment. The current trainee scheme has been criticised as not working adequately.

Employment Protection and Injuries legislation can operate unfairly and would be reviewed in consultation with u n i o n s a n d b u s i n e s s representatives to ensure a fair and safe workplace and eradicate any bullying or harassment that could exist and strengthen the protection for employers against absenteeism without justifiable reason. The employer-employee relationship has to be based on mutual respect;

Factories Inspectorate –

equally it is important to properly r e s o u r c e t h e f a c t o r i e s inspectorate to reduce the incidence of accidents at, for example, construction sites;

C o m p u l s o r y P u b l i c Liability Insurance – employers will be required to have public liability insurance in place to cover their employees in case of accidents;

Industrial Tribunal – we will appoint a permanent Chairman to expedite and stream-line the work of the Tribunal. Additionally we will review the legislation so that specific procedural time-limits are set to facilitate taking cases through all necessary steps towards a final hearing;

Statutory Sick Leave – we will amend statutory sick leave provisions to ensure that this is extended to 4 weeks full pay and eight weeks half-pay in the case of hospitalisation for the period of a stay in hospital;

Occupational Pensions – we will work with Unions and business groups to discuss possible measures and legislation

to encourage the take-up of occupational pensions in the private sector;

Training Plan – after consultation with business and unions a PDP Employment Minister would set out a 5 year Strategic Training Plan to set out Government policy in the field of training and re-training in the public and private sectors;

Priority in Rental Stock Allocation/Home Purchase - Getting your first home is a big concern for many people. A PDP Government would ensure that young single people or young couples be given priority in rental stock or home purchase scheme programmes. We must stop the constant stream of Gibraltarians who are forced to live in Spain because it is unaffordable to live in Gibraltar.

HOUSING AND FISCAL MEASURES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Workers Rights – a number of measures would be taken by a PDP administration to enhance workers rights in Gibraltar:

Illegal Labour – deprives the tax-payer of revenue and is unfair to employees. We will better resource the labour inspectorate to enforce the law;

Minimum Wage – we will increase the minimum wage to 5.75/hour

Unemployment Benefit – the levels of this would be reviewed and increased by 50%.

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Home Refurbishment Soft Loan - Young People who are first-time buyers will be eligible for a sof t loan home refurbishment scheme via the Retail Bank that a PDP Government would establish to give them a good start with their new home.

A variety of commitments will be made across these fields:

Culture

Premises - The existing Stone Block in Town Range [behind the senior citizens club] and Garrison recreational rooms [behind St Joseph’s School] will be refurbished for use as cultural premises. There will also be a continued programme of refurbishment and maintenance of the casemates exhibition galleries, Central Hall, the Retreat Centre and other cultural facilities.

Band Rehearsal Rooms -

Additionally a number of sound-proofed and sprung floored band rehearsal rooms with secure storage lockers would be provided. Our musicians need to be encouraged to practice in appropriate surroundings. We will also review the feasibility of establishing a fully equipped recording studio in Gibraltar.

World Dance - The PDP will commit to supporting the organisation of the World Dance Championships for the period 2014-2016.

Grants - We will increase cultural grants by 50% and create a special International Events Grant Fund to assist participants to apply for a grant to contribute towards expenses. Additionally we will establish an Elite Performers Award in Sports, the Arts and Culture to support talented individuals to pursue a career in those fields.

Lottery - The PDP would try to max i mi se s a l e s o f the Government Lottery by allowing the purchase of tickets online. Equally unclaimed monies would

be rolled-over into extraordinary prizes to encourage sales further. Profits of the lottery would go to fund cultural or sporting projects.

Youth Service and Leisure

Youth clubs will be opened on a daily basis and Youth & Community Programmes [such a youth exchanges, discos and fundraising events] will be reinstated.

Involvement of Young People in Decision-Making

We will create a Young P a r l i a m e n t t o i nc r e a s e participation of Young People in the democratic process. This will give young people a deeper understanding of democratic institutions and help the development of responsibility. The representatives of the Young Parliament will meet regularly with the Minister with responsibility for Young People. Representatives from the Young parl iament will then be Gibraltar’s representatives at any Youth Parliament organised by t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h Parliamentary Association in London.

Young People Civic Awards

W e s h o u l d e n c o u r a g e responsible or charitable behaviour by young people by having a special Young People’s Civic Awards Scheme.

Stamp Duty - To assist young couples the PDP would introduce spec ia l f isca l measures such as targeted stamp duty relief or specific property allowances to support a purchase. Any person under 35 will be exempt from stamp duty on the first purchase of property in Gibraltar.

SPORT, CULTURE AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Cultural Complex - A cultural complex wil l be bui lt containing a theatre, combined as a conference centre with break-out rooms. The complex will also contain a permanent Gibraltar Art Gallery.

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Sport plays a major part in most Gibraltarians’ l ives. Many Gibraltarians play sport more than three times a week and in many cases two or more sports. Sport therefore plays a vital part in the cultural development of Gibraltarians and it is therefore imperative that all the needs of our athletes are met, irrespective of which organisation is represented here on the Rock. The PDP recognize the importance of channelling youthful energy into health and p o s i t i v e a c t i v i t y . S p o r t encourages, discipline, team work, respect and maintains us healthy. Therefore we understand the educational and social benefits that sports can bring and we are determined to invest in the same.

Training Grant Fund - The PDP welcomes the continued development of the GSLA in areas such as professional coaching development and support staff and the financial support given to associations to bring coaches in to improve the level of competition here in Gibraltar. However, the 30% granted in repayment of costs to associations is constrictive and also means associations need to pay large amounts, which they might not have to pay up front

for a coach/trainer to visit. This can be restrictive and the PDP would create a fund for associations to apply for specific grants to be used for the purposes of development of the sport through professional coaching or facilities. This would allow organisations to cover the initial cost and therefore be allowed to continue with their developmental projects.

Water-Based Sports – Gibraltar is a prime location for water-based sports. We would therefore encourage good use of our seas primarily for locals but also abroad as a touristic attraction ensuring that we have properly equipped dive clubs, fishing clubs, sailing clubs, rowing clubs and other water-based sports. In this context the PDP would work with the Small Boat Owners Association to seek to find a suitable location for berthing of small pleasure boats.

Elite Sports Award – we will establish an Elite Sports Award Scheme to support exceptionally talented young people who seek to pursue a career in sports.

Sports Bulletin - The creation of a sports bulletin promoting the achievements for sports within the GSLA is important and should be online. Easy access to contacts for different sports should be made available and updated annually.

Sports Advisory Council - It is vital that this body is empowered to steer the development of sport in Gibraltar and that all associations are given an equal voice when putting forward their ideas or requests. A level playing field is required for all organisations within the GSLA.

Paddle-Tennis and Tennis – these facilities are currently insufficient to meet demand and poor. We will upgrade the tennis court at the Mount and will identify locations for extra paddle-courts as part of an extension project to the Victoria Stadium facilities. Additionally a PDP Government would as part of its environmental policy look at covering and green-surfacing public parking areas thereby creating a wealth of available space for these and other sports.

GFA/UEFA - The PDP strongly support the right of the GFA to membership of UEFA and will support any requirements needed t o b e m e t f o r U E F A membership .

Hockey Pitch - lighting will be provided to the Victoria hockey pitch to allow hockey clubs to train and play matches on their

Sports

Victoria Stadium Surface – the main pitch at the Victoria Stadium will be resurfaced.

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state of the art facility. This is something that should have been provided for when the facility was constructed so that it would not restrict the GHA to playing league matches at weekends. This would also mean that the use of this facility for training camps by visiting teams is extended.

In consultation with the relevant representative sporting bodies we

would review the facilities available to other sports such as basketball, rowing, squash, badminton, athletics, table tennis, netball, gymnastics, martial arts, tai chi, ice skating, boxing, bowling, cycling and other leisure activities such as darts, chess and snooker/pool.

Cricket Ground & Rugby Pitch - Cricket is already represented internationally, through the ICC and it is paramount that they are provided with a pitch that meets the standards set by the ICC and which would improve the opportunities for our local players. Equally rugby is being increasingly played and taught in

our schools yet there are no facilities anywhere in Gibraltar and our players are having to rely on MOD generosity or playing in Spain. The Gibraltar Rugby Club is applying and obtaining membership of FIRA and other international bodies. Their efforts would be supported. A cricket and rugby pitch will be established at Europa Point in such a manner that it could be used to host regular league games or international tournaments.

International Sports Tourism – would be encouraged but would first require an upgrade of existing facilities. Long-term space would be made available in the proposed Eastside reclamation where there would also be a Sporting Complex that would encourage sporting excellence.

International Recognition - Continued support to Gibraltar sporting bodies in obtaining international recognition, full membership or affiliation to their respective international sporting bodies

Football Pitches – We are committed to build a new football pitch at the Cepsa petrol station site after it is relocated and as required consider further pitches at another location.

Swimming – on handover from the MOD we would support the extension of the Nuffield Pool to make it more suitable for the hosting of international competition

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and

the sustainable use of our enviroment

PLEDGE 4

Gigi Sene

Businesswoman and was very active in

representative groups lobbying for a

more open planning system.

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Key

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Public meetings of the Development & Planning Commission A review of height limits for development within and outside the city walls A commitment to seek UNESCO World Heritage Status for Gibraltar Expansion of list of protected Buildings and a cataloguing of our urban and

natural heritage Tax concessions and soft loans for refurbishment of buildings in specific zones Tax concessions for Environmental measures taken on buildings Review of Landlord & Tenant Act An Upper Town and Moorish Castle Heritage Recovery Plan Investment in the Upper Rock The establishment of a law on Gibraltar Archives Regulation of Angling Better enforcement of conservation laws No Dolphinarium The establishment of a Central Park for Gibraltar Green areas over covered car parks Underground parking at Grand Parade A commitment to refurbish Rosia Bay for leisure use as a swimming area Feasibility study on a monorail system Cycle and jogging paths to be created A commitment to lengthen the daily schedule for the bus service A review of nuisance and noise pollution legislation The regular monitoring of the effects on public health of pollution by

independent bodies A ban on indoor smoking in all public areas A review of Gibraltar’s oil pollution response capability No bunkering on the Eastside A commitment to renewable energy and greater investment in solar-panelling An independent study into the harnessing of potential of tidal energy



To achieve a better quality of life that we can all enjoy requires a holistic approach across a number of policy areas that encompass planning, urban h e r i t a g e , t h e n a t u r a l environment, the use of resources, mobility, transport, public health and housing. Our Pledge 4 to you covers all these areas.

New Housing The building of new housing has not kept pace with the growth in the population of Gibraltarians. If this does not even meet that growth we will never radically reduce and still less solve the perennial housing problem.

Equally because of high prices in the local market many people are being forced to go to Spain to rent or purchase housing. Our view is that much more radical steps need to be taken to build new housing to serve the population needs of Gibraltar for a decade. We believe there has to be a real connection between statistics of births,

A Better Quality of Life for All

HOU SI NG – Y OUR RIGHT TO A HOME

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deaths, school leavers and housing requirements so that instead of building large quantities of housing as a reactive measure to criticism regular construction of housing as required would be built.

A Strategic Approach We would tackle urban issues with a strategic approach based on five principles:

1. To resolve the housing

problem through a combination of new build, repair of existing

stock and a partial liberalisation of the private housing market;

2. To create a land bank in an environmentally acceptable way to allow the development of the economy and provide the social needs of Gibraltar;

3. To carry out a planned and sustainable approach;

4. To maximise conservation of heritage assets while allowing economic development; To grow our economy and develop our tourism product in a sensitive way

Gibraltar has seen successful land reclamation projects and we believe it is feasible to create a substantial land bank between the runway and Sovereign Bay whilst retaining and improving our beaches and coastline by moving it eastward. Affordable Housing Housing needs to be genuinely affordable – particularly in this current climate where obtaining a mortgage has become more difficult. We would ensure that housing is provided at affordable prices within developments in which Government participates a s d e v e l o p e r o r t h a t Government allocates via public tender for those purposes. A PDP administration would put in place co-ownership schemes

That is why we would build 1500 new homes within 10 years. The first step would be to provide 300 low-cost houses to purchase within 4 years.

New Town After appropriate feasibility and environmental impact study we would build a New Town project on reclaimed land on the Eastside of Gibraltar

incorporating residential , commercial and leisure areas. This would break the back of the housing problem that Gibraltar continues to suffer. The New Town would be divided into various zones to provide a mix of residential areas and a range of different types of housing. It would also include sufficient parking, public transport and social facilities and amenities. This would contain parks and recreational areas that would enhance the quality of life of our citizens.

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to assist buyers on a means tested basis and as long as those persons did not own a property elsewhere. Rental Housing The same criteria would apply to the allocation of rental housing. There would be a programme of adaption housing for residents with special needs or with a disability.

We will review the housing allocation criteria to ensure p r o m p t a l l o c a t i o n a n d preference to persons with social needs and young couples. Housing needs to be allocated and administered on anon-discriminatory basis. Amenities for Public Housing Tenants We are committed to improving the facilities for tenants of public housing be it parking, green areas or playgrounds.

Our commitment would be to ensure that the number of works pending in Government housing estates is halved within 18 months. Tenants deserve much more from the Buildings & Works department. It is the most basic right to have proper living conditions. To some people this is denied by the Government not fulfilling its repair obligations.

Private Developments

We would require that private developers make buildings more environmentally friendly to produce planning gains for the entire community such as beautification of surrounding a r e a s , p a r k i n g , p a r k s , playgrounds and green areas. We will ensure that private d e v e l o p e r s e x p e d i t e developments awarded by public tender and do not delay these for land speculation reasons with the consequential adverse effects on property prices or office space prices/availability. The premium value of land allocated to private developers or the subject of lease extensions with private developers will be independently assessed. Waterport Terraces, OEM, Haymills

We would ensure that a minimum of 300 rental stock flats are provided within 4 years.

Young People It is important to help our young people and young couples to get onto the property ladder and to either acquire or rent their first home to help them make a real start in life. The PDP would give priority in the allocation of new housing and existing housing for young couples and single mothers.

Maintenance of Public Housing We have criticised the so-called “historic agreement” that the GSD announced with the Buildings & Works department and said that the jury was out on whether this would deliver real improvements to people. It is a

fact that many tenants face issues of lack of repair, dilapidation, humidity and water ingress. Many tenants complain to the Buildings & Works department and works take months – if not years – to complete with some tenants getting no joy at all from that department. All this needs to be tackled.

Vandalism and Cleaning of Public Housing Estates We would dedicate greater resources to control vandalism and improve the cleaning of estates. We will introduce CCTV in certain housing areas to curb vandalism.

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The GSD’s handling of housing development is marked by appalling mismanagement. The Rosia Tanks were destroyed without regard to the heritage and disregarding protests of citizens. The south district projects at Cumberland and Nelsons View were allocated to OEM – a company with no track record. Predictably it collapsed and the Government was forced to take it over. The deficiency of Government’s due diligence procedures were then exposed further when Haymills, the contractor company, also collapsed. There were significant delays to the project causing hardship to many families. This was also experienced at Waterport Terraces which was delayed for more than two years. Purchasers there not only experienced delay but were left funding bridging loans spending hundreds and in some cases thousands of pounds as a result of the GSD’s mismanagement of the situation. The PDP stood shoulder to shoulder with the residents of Waterport Terraces in their efforts to seek Government’s explanations and compensation for these delays. We wi l l s tand by any commitments given to these residents.

Public meetings of the Development & Planning Commission – we will ensure that meetings of the DPC are held in public. The law will be changed to give objectors the right to be heard and not merely the r i g h t t o m a k e representations. The minutes of the DPC will be published and available online. A fast-tracking procedure for small minor works applications will be set out in statute. The planning law will be amended to make it compulsory to submit all Government or MOD building projects to the planning process.

Development Appeals Tribunal – appeals from the DPC to this tribunal will be heard and determined within three months

Height/Density – we will review the height limits for development within and outside the city walls and set guidelines for developers

In a remarkable lack of vision this year the GSD ditched the original bid put forward in 1999 and compromised on a far less ambitious partial bid. Gibraltar has lost 20 years as a result of this lack of vision because the UK list of tentative sites to

DAVE EVESON .

Former Chairman of the

Gibraltar Her itage

Trust , directing a

p r i n t i n g / p a c k a g i n g

business for 28 years,

committed Gibraltar

Historian and philatelist

PLANNING PROPERLY AND OPENLY

R E S P E C T I N G A N D CON S ER VI N G OUR URBAN AND NATURAL HERITAGE

UNESCO World Heritage Status for Gibraltar – we are committed to seek UNESCO World Heritage Status for Gibraltar.

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UNESCO will now not be updated till 2021. Gibraltar has been placed by the GSD in the position we were before 1999 and without a chance of improv ing i t t i l l 2021. Nevertheless we make clear we are committed to achieve this prestigious accolade for Fortress Gibraltar [the original bid planned years ago] as part of a more strategic long-term vision of the interface between tourism and heritage.

U p d a t i n g a n d be t t e r enforcement of conservation laws - there must be greater respect of our urban and natural heritage across the board. Our urban and natural heritage laws will be reviewed and updated as they are sadly deficient in many aspects

Site conservation/recovery –Equally there must be a far more deliberate policy by the Government to recover sites of importance. For example we would put in place a 10 year plan to recover the Northern Defences as part of an Upper Town heritage recovery project. Additionally more must be made of the tunnel systems in Gibraltar in the context of maximizing the sensitive use of our heritage for touristic purposes

Site Management – at the same time we would seek to maximise

the value for money return on recovered assets by proper sustainable management of heritage sites Listed Buildings – heritage legislation would be amended and the list of protected buildings updated within 12 months. This would bring many more buildings within the realm of protection. H i s t o r i c & N a t u r a l Environment Record – The work on updating the list of protected buildings in Gibraltar would go hand in hand with the preparation of a historic env i ronment record for Gibraltar which would classify

buildings, artifacts, works and other historical or architectural or archaeological aspects of heritage significance. This would also include a listing and identification of natural heritage zones deserving of special protection including our coastline Soft Loans for Refurbishment – a fund will be established to assist persons who wish to refurbish buildings within the city walls for residential use with soft loans Special Discounted Purchase Scheme – within 6 months we will publish details of a Special Discounted Purchase Scheme for sitting tenants of public

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housing within the city walls Landlord & Tenant Act – this will be reviewed in consultation with interested parties to allow greater decontrol of rents in the context of refurbishment, regeneration or conservation of bui ld ings . This wi l l be contingent on the use of traditional materials and a recovery/conservat ion of heritage features to be assessed by the Planning Department; Special Tax Incentives – a special three year corporate tax allowance will be provided to b u s i n e s s e s c o n d u c t i n g refurbishment in accordance with set criteria within the city walls and in an approved heritage building

Greater Public Awareness –

we will undertake a programme of information on Greening of Buildings by householders/owners so that they are aware of what can be done and what fiscal benefits are available

Regeneration of Old Town – there a significant amount of public buildings in the old town area. We would conduct a policy of strategic conservation and regeneration. We will publish a

Regeneration Plan for the Old Town within 12 months of being e lected to Government . Progressive regeneration would allow relocation of tenants and the process could then be continued to achieve long-term urban renewal

Urban Regeneration and Heritage Conservation Unit – we will establish a special unit within the Heritage Ministry that will drive this urban regeneration agenda. It will also be responsible for overall urban heritage management policy and advise the Minister in that regard.

Catalan Bay is a historic and yet relatively abandoned part of

REBECCA FALLER Construction Administrator

in the private sector,

politically active since she

was a teenager, former Vice-

President of LYMEC

(Liberal Youth Movement of

the EU)

Greener Buildings – Building Regu la t ions wou ld be amended to encourage greener b u i l d i ng p r a c t i c e s i n development Greener Buildings Incentive Scheme – tax allowances will be introduced to encourage o w n e r s / h o u s e h o l d e r s in t roduc ing “greening” practices into their property such as solar panels etc

Upper Town and Moorish Castle Heritage Recovery – one regeneration sub-plan will focus on the Upper Town, Moorish Castle and the Northern Defences. Over a 10 year period we would seek to relocate residents of Moorish Castle Estate to new housing freeing up this area. We would demolish Moorish Castle Estate and create a Specially Protected Heritage Zone. That would allow that entire area to be recovered and used for touristic purposes.

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Gibraltar. We would work, in consultation with the people of Catalan Bay, to regenerate and refurbish the beach, bay, village and surrounding area. In principle we favour designating Catalan Bay as an area of heritage significance because of i t s soc ia l and h i s tor i c i m p o r t a n c e . A v i s i t o r interpretation centre would be established as part of the project to regenerate and invest in the village. City Walls – we would continue a policy of uncluttering the City Walls so they can be seen and so that people can walk around the city walls or they can be used for cycling and jogging paths. Upper Rock Management – we are committed to ensure this

is managed sensibly so that the natural heritage of the Rock is conserved. We support the designation of the Rock of Gibraltar as a site of Community Importance as a Special Area of Conservation. The Upper Rock also needs significant investment so everyone can enjoy walking around and using this natural resource. Much more must be done to restore and create safe footpaths around the Upper Rock. Archives and Documentary history – it is important to conserve and protect documents of historical and public importance . A Gibra l tar Archives would be established on a statutory footing. Criteria for col la t ion of publ ic documents would be set out in

statute as would be the terms on which they would be available for inspection. The Archives would be relocated to a location that would allow public facilities of access while maintaining and preserving security of its public documents. There would be s ignificant investment in digitizing documentation and in human resources to operate the facility. Biodiversity Research – we will dedicate resources for the investment in research and resources for s tudy of biodiversity Regulation of Angling, Diving and Marine Conservation – we h a v e a l o n g - s t a n d i n g commitment to introduce legislation prescribing a system of fishing licences, numbers of rods and minimum fish sizes, for both shore and boat anglers. Certain types of fishing and certain methods will be banned either generally or at particular locations [ie spear-fishing at certain locations to be published in law]. There needs to be better enforcement of marine laws and better access to facilities for anglers. The PDP is committed to the sustainable use of our environment and a progressive regeneration of our aquatic environment. This has been depleted by the reckless acts of

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many foreign fishermen who come to Gibraltar to fish indiscriminately because of the total free for all that currently exists in Gibraltar. The PDP will introduce legislation within 12 months of being elected to Government and establish a specific enforcement arm under the Ministry for the Environment to ensure our laws are complied with and applied consistently to

all. GFSA – we will regularly consult with GFSA in relation to issues relevant to angling in Gibraltar. In consultation with GFSA we will review the locations at which fishing is permitted in Gibraltar and seek to improve the facilities available, the number of locations at which fishing is permitted and

the times during which this is permitted. Signage will be placed at these locations explaining where fishing is permitted and warning as to penalties for non-compliance with the law. Reefs and Coastlines – A PDP administration would take measures to better protect our reefs and coastlines and ensure development was not carried out

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in an insensitive way. We believe in maintaining and increasing access to the public of our coastline for leisure activities.

Covered green areas – at the same time we would have a proactive policy of covering parking areas and green roofing them to produce more green areas, parks, playgrounds and sporting facilities for leisure use around Gibraltar;

Grand Parade – subject to engineering viability and cost we would build underground parking at Grand Parade which would then free up the existing parking area for the creation of a green area for leisure and sporting use;

Trees – we will actively follow a policy of tree-planting wherever possible;

Transport Study – there needs to be a comprehensive transport and traffic management study to make recommendations on the overhaul of road infrastructure and the management of traffic flows. We also need to make roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists. A strategic plan is necessary to plan the interface between infrastructural needs and traffic management. Any plan would be prepared after public consultat ion and exhibited for public comment;

Half Helmets A PDP government would immediately move to legislate against the use of half helmets.

Cycle and jogging paths – we would have a pro-active policy of creating cycle paths and jogging paths. We would create such a path to follow the coastline and cover as much of Gibraltar as possible. We would also explore the viability of int roduc ing the Cyc le/

Pedestrian superhighways suggested in the Report by the In Town Without My Car Group which would link the town area to the South District via the city walls; Cycles – we support the introduction of the recent Gibibikes scheme but would increase the number of cycles available by 400. If persons are to be encouraged to cycle there needs to be a pro-active policy of making roads safer and maintaining these in a better state. This needs to be combined with traffic calming measures in certain areas;

Upper Town Escalators – to facilitate people moving around without their cars we will consider introducing external escalators in certain key locations around the town as long as this was not incompatible with urban heritage concerns;

Green Vehicles – tax allowance for persons who purchase electric vehicles;

Bus Service – we are committed to lengthen the daily schedule for the bus service;

Heavy Goods Vehicles – the use of roads by HGVs would be regulated so that we minimise unnecessary congestion and strain on the road infrastructure at peak times by cement mixers,

IMPROVING THE WAY YOU LIVE AND MOVE AROUND

No Dolphinarium – we are committed to ensure that no dolphinarium is established in Gibraltar. This is inconsistent with a policy of conservation and respect for natural heritage and marine wildlife. It in any event is inconsistent with the public use of our coastline.

A Central Park for Gibraltar – we will establish a Central Park for Gibraltar. Several alternative sites have been identified. This will require discussions with entities currently holding leasehold and/ or development rights so that these may be re-provided elsewhere;

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Rosia Bay - A commitment to refurbish Rosia Bay for leisure use as a swimming area and for other related leisure activities such as water sports, diving and angling.

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rubble trucks and so on. We intend to establish a purpose built commercial park on the E a s t s i d e r e c l a m a t i o n , immediately after the exit to the tunnel from the Airport. In that way we will ensure that businesses that require servicing by HGV are located as close to the land frontier as possible. Businesses located on the Westside will be encouraged to relocate so as to free up existing commercial parks on the Westside for leisure and housing development. The long-term effect of this planning policy will be to ensure HGVs travel

through Gibraltar as little as possible. Feasibility study on a monorail system – we would commission an independent feasibility study (including public consultation) on the establishment of a monorail system. Subject to cost and aesthetics we envisage that the route of a monorail could run from a Monorail terminal from the Airport through the tunnel through to Rosia area. Should that not be possible the terminal would be located on Devil’s Tower Road [at the exit of the airport tunnel]. The route could

take in the Waterport/Westside areas, Queensway and continue southwards via the Dockyard/New Harbours area. The monorail would be a radical mode of well tried and tested alternative transport that would help to de-congest road use given that it would not, unlike other methods of transport like trams, use the roads. Monorails have proved hugely successful in congested cities in Asia and the USA, with Sydney being an obvious example. The Gatwick monorail will have been used by many when travelling to the UK. This wil l provide

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alternative environmental ly fr iendly and economical ly sustainable transport for residents and tourists alike. Our research suggests that this will then produce a return and eventually pay for itself;

Wildlife Management – many residents suffer nuisance from Apes and Gulls. We would tackle these issues in a more pro-active way after discussing the matter with experts in the field. This would include the allocation of realistic resources for control and management; Litter and Cleanliness – there would be strict enforcement of litter and dog-fouling laws;

Parking Schemes – we will encourage the diversion of visitor traffic to areas outside the city walls and park & ride schemes from there. We will establish parking areas where it will be proportionately cheaper to park the longer the car is parked in the car park thereby encouraging the vehicle owner to use alternative transport;

Nuisance and Noise Pollution – Gibraltar is a noisy place. We would review our nuisance and noise pollution laws to better protect this aspect which intrudes into our collective quality of life;

Pollution Monitoring – we would ensure the regular monitoring of the effects on public health of pollution by independent bodies; Smoking in Public Areas – We would introduce a law banning indoor smoking in all public areas;

Oil Pollution Response – the recent incident has highlighted the need to review Gibraltar’s oil pollution response capability. We would do so and dedicate any further resources that might be necessary to enhance the same;

Solar Energy – we are committed to renewable energy and greater investment in solar-paneling. The first step is to do so in public buildings where possible and incentivise private owners via tax allowances to install these as well;

Tidal Energy – we would commission an independent study into the harnessing of the potential of tidal energy to support and supplement traditional sources of power generation; Carbon Footprint – we would

conduct a Public awareness campaign and dedicate greater Government resources at guiding citizens as to measures that could be taken to reduce Gibraltar’s carbon footprint;

Recycling – we will widen current recycling initiatives by ensuring that paper recycling is introduced within 12 months. We will also increase the locations at which recyclable materials can be deposited and locate them close to refuse collection points for convenience of users wherever possible. Additionally we will provide a One-Stop Recycling Area to allow people to deposit all recyc lable mater ia ls in a convenient way;

EMAP – The Environmental Management & Action Plan will be reviewed after consultation with interested parties;

Sewage Treatment Plant – this needs to be installed to eliminate raw sewage disposal and if possible in a manner that generates energy as a by-product;

Power Stations – we are committed to the new power station project and the de-commissioning of old stations in such a way that guarantees that our electricity grid is robust and has sufficient capacity.

LOOKING AFTER YOUR HEALTH

M A N A G I N G O U R RESOURCES SUSTAINABLY

No bunkering on the Eastside – as stated elsewhere in this manifesto [Pledge 2] we are against bunkering on the Eastside of Gibraltar;

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KEY QUOTE



PLEDGE 5

Rosemarie Peach Former Chairperson of the Women’s

Association and a conveyancing assistant

at a law firm.

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ts A commitment to merge the Health and Social Services ministries to provide better

organisation and coordination of care

A review of the management structure, administrative procedures and clinical protocols of the Health Authority

A review of the contacting of external clinical services to the Health Authority to assess whether any can or should be provided in Gibraltar

A review of the financial, procurement and tendering arrangements of the Health Authority with a view to reducing waste and maximizing value for money

A new mental health facility within 4 years

The integration of the Ambulance Service into the Health Authority

Investment to increase the number of Nurse Practitioners and professions allied to medicine

The establishment of a Second Primary Care Centre

A ban on smoking in all enclosed public places

Increase sponsored patients allowance

Better services for cardiology, oncology, mental health, dementia, alzheimers, hearing impaired, neo-natal care among other departments

A comprehensive policy of localization of posts, continuing professional development and training

Increased residential bed capacity at Mount Alvernia

More investment in community services, day care and domiciliary care services for the elderly

Discussions with Unions, Chamber, GFSB and interested parties on private sector pensions and a commitment to legislate where necessary

Disability allowance to be made payable to all disabled persons

Financial assistance to the Gibraltar Clubhouse Project

A review of social benefits for people with mental health problems

Measures to assist Senior Citizens including facilities, advice and a review of the Minimum Income Guarantee

Discussions with the Unions on Civil Service reform

A commitment to improve public administration of services provided to the public

Maximise online provision and processing of complaints, reports for housing works, general forms and applications where possible

Maximise provision of online information on public services



BETTER SERVICES

Much of the successes proclaimed by the GSD in the health service whether it is the commitment to build a new hospital, new primary care centre, re-opening of the nursing school, the recruitment of nurses and key professionals and the massive boost in financial investment into the Health Authority were conducted during Keith Azopardi’s time as Health Minister between 1996-2000. Unfortunately the GSD has a l lowed lack of mora le , miscommunication between staff and lack of leadership to dominate in recent years. There is a need to give the Health Authority clear leadership and direction once again. We are committed to:

Improved healthcare and better services – so that users can enjoy a more comprehensive and better care system;

Health care staff – because it is important to build confidence and show leadership to raise morale and so that services are not impacted detrimentally;

Better infrastructure and support – because there are aspects of the services that require radical investment and overhaul;

Better integration and performance of services – because some services are disjointed, inadequate or disorganized or under-resourced and this affects the care that can be provided.

Structure, Efficiency and Value for Money

Four years ago we made the point that the Health department needed to improve the way it worked with the Social Services agencies to ensure patients and users received seamless and efficient care. We continue to believe that this would be best achieved by merging those departments and assigning the ministerial responsibilities to one person.

Review Management Structure - Additionally we hear many complaints about administrative and managerial inefficiency with the consequences that there is low morale among nurses, clinicians and professions ancillary to

medicine. We can restore that confidence, higher morale and support to health workers. Working in the Health Authority is a tough job and the staff needs to be appreciated for the important service they provide. We would intend to review the m a n a g e m e n t s t r u c t u r e , administrative procedures and clinical protocols of the Health Authority so that these can be improved for the benefit of user and staff member alike. External Facilities - Many patients are referred to the UK or Spain for treatment. The key to providing very specialized services is the ability to access external services provided by third parties. It is not always possible because of cost or lack of expertise to provide all services in Gibraltar. Even so to improve facilities available to users we will review the existing contracting of external clinical services to the Health Authority to assess whether any can or should be

HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

Health & Social Services Department - Accordingly we will merge the Health and Social Services ministries to provide better organisation and coordination of care. In a PDP Government there will be one Minister for Health & Social Services.

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provided in Gibraltar. This will go hand in hand with the provision of training to staff or the recruitment of key personnel. Wastage & Savings - Equally there are opportunities to curb wastage and invest savings back into the health service. As such the PDP would review the financial, procurement and tendering arrangements of the Health Authority with a view to reducing waste and maximizing value for money in the interests of patient care. Interface with Housing - We would also ensure that the new Health & Social Services department would work better with the Housing department as sometimes patients need adjustments to their residential accommodation before they can be discharged from hospital or f r o m M o u n t A l v e r n i a . Additionally any programme of construction of housing needs to take account of the ageing of the po pu l a t i on a nd s p e c i a l residential needs that may arise as a result. Having a better health care system is not about throwing money at a problem. It requires a strategic overview of all aspects of care and ensuring these run smoothly together. It requires a comprehensive and lasting commitment to reform and the willingness to make tough

choices where necessary. Gibraltar can have a better more integrated care system and the PDP with your help can achieve that. Infrastructure and Services A number of measures would be taken to improve the state of infrastructure and services to users:

Ambulance Service – We would support the integration of the Ambulance Service into the Health Authority. This will give the Authority responsibility to manage this service directly

which should then avoid the controversies over ambulances as we have seen recently;

Recruitment – We would direct training and resources to increase the number of Nurse Practitioners and professions allied to medicine. The numbers of occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other professions would be reviewed to respond to patient needs;

Mental Health Facility – A new mental health facility will be provided within 4 years. This is long overdue and absolutely necessary. It would then free the current KGV site for alternative use;

Second Primary Centre – We would establish a Second Primary Care Centre within 4 years. It would be located in the South District. Residents would be assigned to each primary care centre depending on catchment area;

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Cardiology & Oncology – certain services that are currently being outsourced might be able to be provided locally if there is investment in equipment, recruitment and adequate training. This would ultimately be beneficial to patients and families and may be cost-effective. We would be committed to review the possibility of this with clinicians within GHA;

Neo-Natal Care – we would direct resources to improve the facilities available for the birth and care of premature babies;

Waiting Lists – we would carry out a review of current waiting times and assess how these could be improved;

School of Nursing – training efforts should be boosted and better coordination between management and the nursing school would result in forward-planning which could reduce the reliance on having to engage external nurses on contract;

Continual Professional Development – we would want to see a comprehensive CPD policy in place for all GHA staff that deliver patient care;

Facilities for the Hearing Impaired – we will work with the Gibraltar Hearing Impaired and Tinnitus Association to improve the facilities supporting people with impaired hearing and increase awareness of that. This will include areas such as education, premises, training for t h e c l i n i c a l p s y c h o l o g y department , t ra ining and education in Sign Language, the recruitment of a hearing therapist, the purchase by GHA of necessary hearing aids and special equipment for those with impaired hearing. We are committed to improve the quality of life of deaf people and those with hearing difficulties;

Facilities for Alzheimers & Dementia patients – we will work with the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Group to improve facilities for users and families of patients and specifically improve

domic i l iary care , provide specialized staff training for the care of such patients, adapt residences to assist in living conditions, provide greater physiotherapy for these patients, create a stronger collaboration between the Elderly Care Agency, health, housing and social services for the benefit of these patients and promote greater awareness of these matters;

Cardiac Rehabi l i ta t ion, Society for Cancer Relief, Diabetic Support Group, Society for Visually Impaired and other patient / user groups—we will engage with patient and user groups constructively to ensure the improvement of facilities and services

Disability Allowance – We would ensure that the Disability allowance would be made payable to all disabled persons and not just those born disabled. The disability allowance would also be raised by 25%. There will then be annual cost of living increases;

Carers Allowance – there are people who care after the elderly or the disabled and cannot work because of that. We would review the physical and financial

Sponsored Pat ients Allowance – this will be increased by 15% and increased by cost of living annually;

Localization of Senior Managerial Posts – be it in nursing or administrative or clinical management it should be possible to plan for the gradual localization of senior posts.

That is not to say that we are against the importation of expertise. Quite the contrary but it makes sense for any community to want to see home-grown talent take senior posts rather than have to leave Gibraltar to progress in their chosen career;

Smoking ban – We would introduce legislation banning smoking in all enclosed public places;

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support for these carers;

Physical Environment – We must work to ensure that the physica l environment of Gibraltar is accessible to all, including persons with various types of disabilities. The PDP will ensure that the needs of the disabled are incorporated at the planning stages of all new public housing and public transport systems. Access to existing public buildings, public housing and public transport will be made easier by making the necessary adaptations where possible;

Dr Giraldi/St Bernadettes – the facilities of the Dr Giraldi Home and St Bernadettes will be reviewed to improve these for users;

E m p l o y m e n t Opportunities of Disabled – we will support the integration of disabled persons into open employment through a variety of measures such as incentive-orientated quota systems, r e s e r v ed o r d e s i gna t e d employment, loans or grants for small business, tax concessions, technical or financial assistance to enterprises employing disabled workers. The PDP will a l s o s u p p o r t s h e l t e r e d employment for those, whose severe disabilities render them unable to cope with the demands

of competitive employment;

Clubhouse Project – We would prov ide f inanc ia l assistance to the Gibraltar Clubhouse Project promoted by the Psychological Support Group;

Assitance to those with Mental Health issues-

We would review social benefits and community services

available for people with mental health problems;

Families – we will review the legal provisions on paternity leave and the interface with maternity leave. We will issue a consultation paper on possible changes to allow the public to make representations on this important subject. Our aim would be to assist couples in the first few months of the upbringing of a child while also assisting their return to work as soon as practicable; Private Practice- we would facilitate the establishment of strictly regulated private practice. It is better for private practice to be regulated and out in the open than operating underground and unregulated. Private Practice if properly regulated so as not to have any negative impact to Government provided public care can be of benefit to the community by easing the burden on the public purse. This would

be modeled on the UK system where private patients remain private and must pay for all services and facilities and cannot try and use private care as a method to jump the queue. We encourage choice and monies received from the provision of facilities, equipment and staff time by GHA for private care will then be channelled back into the public health system and not simply swallowed up into general Government revenue.

Resident ia l Care – Increased residential bed capacity at Mount Alvernia is a commitment of the PDP. It is clear that many elderly in need of a residential bed are in hospital when they could be at Mount Alvernia if there were sufficient beds. This not only blocks hospital beds and deprives acute medical cases of care but means that nurses trained, for example, to work on surgical wards end up treating non-surgical geriatric cases. This undermines the skills of our trained nurses. We would aim to provide 100 new residential care beds at Mount Alvernia or at an alternative purpose-built site;

Criteria for Entry to Mount Alvernia – this should ensure that it is driven by clinical

ELDERLY CARE

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need and not time on the waiting list. It should be subject to clinical assessment;

Private Nursing Homes- we would encourage and facilitate the establishment of private nursing homes in the same way that private health clinics are available, namely without any negative impact to public care for our elderly. We encourage choice and those who wish to exercise their option to pay for care can do so. Community Services – More investment in community services, day care and domiciliary care services for the elderly is necessary. There would be radical investment in outreach services, residential and respite services and in general greater support for the elderly, the disabled and their families whether it be with care, domestic chores or cleaning. This w i l l be suppor t ed w i th recruitment of relevant personnel or the setting up of contracted services. At first instance we w o u l d c o m m i s s i o n a n independent professional review of these services.

Relocation of Senior Citizens – we would adopt a specific policy designed to give preference to senior citizens

living in the upper town who may wish to be re-housed to the lower town or other districts that are more easily accessible;

Assisting families of deceased relatives – we will provide a one-stop office within the Social Services department at which a relative of a deceased person can receive advice on the necessary procedures governing the registration of the death and access to various benefits, pensions and other steps that need to be taken consequent on death;

Help Line – that office will also provide a Help Line to provide information, guidance and assistance to senior citizens;

Widows and Orphans Scheme – we support the reintroduction of such a scheme. We agree that the immediate cessation of pension benefits to widows in the case of the death of the husband has severe f inanc ia l impact and i s undesirable. We would introduce legislation by which payments of public sector pensions to widows would continue for a period of 12 months after the death of the husband. Such legislation would be a temporary measure while the main legislation to reintroduce a widows and orphans scheme is prepared. Such a scheme would

aim at ensuring that those who are financially affected by the current non-provision are assisted;

M i n i m u m I n c o m e Guarantee – this will be reviewed upwards following on from consultation with interested bodies in light of the current under-provision of private sector occupational pensions that causes hardship for some pensioners. We will ensure that subsequently the minimum increase maintains a link with price inflation; Consultat ion – we are committed to regular meetings with the Senior Citizens Association and Gibraltar Pensioners Association.

P r i v a t e S e c t o r Occupational Pensions

Discussions with Unions, Chamber, GFSB and interested parties on private sector pensions and a commitment to legislate where necessary;

Budgetary measures need to be considered to incentivise the voluntary take-up of pensions. The introduction of a flat rate of tax rather than an allowance-based system has made it less attractive for people to arrange pension plans. Future reductions

PENSIONS

SENIOR CITIZENS

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in the top rate of tax could be linked to a person paying monies into a pension plan; Gibraltar resident UK pensioners – the PDP is committed to undertake discussions with the British Government to assess whether it is possible to enter into arrangements by which persons in receipt of pensions from the UK who are resident in Gibraltar may receive those tax-free;

Civil Service Reform - We will hold discussions with the Unions on Civil Service reform, working hours, provision of services, structure, training, recruitment, resources and terms and conditions;

Counter & Other Services – We are committed to improve the public administration of services provided to the public and to business especially in relation to counter services across departments or agencies.

Bullying & Harassment – As part of our review we will introduce a protocol against bullying and harassment in the workplace applicable to the

public sector;

Complaints – We will maximise the online provision and processing of complaints, reports for housing works, general forms and applications where possible;

Information – We will maximise the provision of online information on public services;

Electricity – We need to ensure that our electricity grid is modern, robust and has sufficient capacity to meet Gibraltar’s business and residential needs.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICES

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STRENGTH AND VISION INTERNATIONALLY Sovereignty, Status and External Affairs


Keith Azopardi addressing the United

Nations Committee on Decolonisation as

Deputy Chief Minister

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Key

Co

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Sovereignty, Status and External Affairs

Gibraltar’s sovereignty belongs to the people of Gibraltar

Attendance at the UN Committee of 24 and Fourth Committee

A clear democracy programme for Gibraltar

A clear Constitutional status for our future

A mandate sought for constitutional talks with the UK

No change to Gibraltar’s status without a Referendum

A seat in the European Parliament for Gibraltar

A seat for Gibraltar on the Committee of the Regions

Continued support for the litigation on our territorial waters

Continued attendance at Tripartite talks with Britain and Spain

STRENGTH AND VISION INTERNATIONALLY


Gibraltar, its land and its waters

belong to the people of Gibraltar. The PDP believe that

the people of Gibraltar have a full and unqualified right to self-

determination and that there

should be no change in our status without a referendum.

The PDP have always been clear a n d r o b u s t i n i t s

pronouncements on the issue of sovereignty.

We reject the repeated attempts by Spain to question the

sovereignty of our waters. We have supported the case brought

by Gibraltar on the designation

of part of our waters by Spain under Environmental legislation

of the EU. We will continue to support that litigation before the

European courts.

We remain concerned about

aspects of the 2006 Airport Agreement negotiated at

Cordoba by which arrangements would be put in place that would

allow Spanish officials to exert

jurisdiction and control over passengers phys ica l ly in

Gibraltar. In Government we would want to have direct air

links to Spain but would ensure

that any logistical arrangements within our terminal do not

undermine issues of jurisdiction and control over our land.

In 2008 we launched our policy on the Constitutional Future of

Gibraltar. The full text of this is

available on our website www.pdp.gi. No other Party

contesting this election is being clear with the electorate about

where they stand on this important and fundamental

issue. We challenge other Parties

to stop prevaricating and be clear about where they wish to

lead Gibraltar.

We made the point in that paper

that when the PDP backed the 2006 Constitution in the

November 2006 referendum we made the point that the new

constitution should be supported because it represented a

massive leap forward from the

1969 constitution and because it put us in a much better position

to then take the next steps. We made the point then that there

was a need to introduce more

specific reforms to foster more democracy in Gibraltar. We

emphasised that adoption of the new constitution for us was not

the end but rather a stepping-

stone to further reforms.

Without achieving progress on all these questions the final

outcome will be deficient in some way – either by not having

sufficient self-government or democracy or by not being

recognised as amounting to

decolonisation. As such the agenda must be pushed forward

equally and simultaneously.

.

SOVEREIGNTY

THE CONSTITUTIONAL

FUTURE OF GIBRALTAR In any comprehensive approach

three issues must be tackled, self-government, democracy

and decolonisation.

Three principles govern the PDP

approach to constitutional reform. First we believe

Gibraltar should govern itself and that we should aspire to

the fullest measure of self-

government possible. Second we consider that we should

enjoy more democracy in Gibraltar. Third our aim is to

ensure that our right to self-determination is internationally

recognised and with it that we

achieve an internationally and domes t i ca l l y r e cogn i sed

decolonised status

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We deal with each issue below.

1. More Democracy

In July 2006 we issued an extensive policy document on

how we would achieve Living Democracy. It included a 27 point

plan on measures that should be i n t r o d u c e d t o i n c r e a s e

parliamentary accountability,

better public participation in the democrat ic process, more

democratic checks and balances on the powers of Government and

electoral reform. We stand by all

those points. We supported this further by an Implementation

Plan that we announced in March 2011 and sets out when and how

we would carry out many of those reforms. All that is described in

detail in the Style of Politics

section [Pledge 1] of this manifesto.

2. More Self-Government and a New Status

Full Self-Government and the European Dimension

It is clear that we have advanced

much since the days of the Legislative Council in 1950 or our

first constitution in 1964. Even though it was a big step forward

the 2006 constitution was the

result of long negotiations so inevitably it was a bag of

compromises in some areas. It is still possible to go further by

removing some of the remaining unnecessary curbs on self-

government. Having power vested

in Whitehall rather than Gibraltar is not a guarantee of good

government or democracy. Equally simply achieving the

transfer of more powers to

Gibraltar is not enough. It is only by repatriating those powers

to Gibraltar and introducing proper democratic controls

that we will enhance how we are governed.

Necessarily these are technical issues that require detailed

negotiation with the British Government but in Government

we would table proposals to

London to further advance our self-government. We believe that

time has demonstrated that Gibraltar has matured politically

and responsibly discharges its

devolved powers of Government. In that sense we are confident

that we can achieve further reforms in this area to build on

the wo r k o f suc cess i ve generations of Gibraltarians. What

would drive our efforts would be

a belief that Gibraltar can and should govern itself and that any

remaining antiquated quasi-

colonial mechanisms should be removed. It would also be

important in any process of further reform to take a more

detailed look at the European

Union context so that Gibraltar can secure more power,

representation and influence within the Union. Much could be

achieved towards that through constitutional reform. Other

advances such as our own MEP or

a seat at the Committee of the Regions would require agreement

with the UK without the need of constitutional change.

Our Status – Where Are We Going?

There is much talk about our right to self-determination. But other

political parties do not go much

further in telling us where they want to go. The right to self-

determination is only the right to decide our future. It is an empty

statement unless we know where

we want to go and say so. It is incumbent on politicians who seek

to lead this community to explain where they want to take

Gibraltar. In other words how they would wish to exercise that

right to self-determination.

Neither the GSD nor GSLP are clear on such questions.

Our view is clear. First we

c o n s i d e r t h a t a n y fundamental status change

should be put to the people of Gibraltar to decide in

referendum.

Having more democracy

does not mean that the Government is unable to

govern but that it must govern better. That will

improve the quality of

governance all citizens enjoy.

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Were it not for the continuing

presence of the Spanish claim we

believe that Gibraltar could aspire to full independence within the

Commonwealth. Our economy is sufficiently robust and sustainable

for that. Independence would not

mean a break of our links with the Crown. Indeed we would

seek to maintain such links in the same way as there are many

independent countries in the Commonwealth which have the

Queen as Head of State –

countries as diverse as Canada, Antigua or Belize. Independence

with the Queen as Head of State would in an ideal situation be put

forward as our recommendation

to the people in a referendum. Clearly putting this proposal

forward would only be possible if the democratic checks and

balances we have set out before

have been introduced. Equally it could only happen if the majority

of people were to support such an option and only then after

detailed negotiations with the Brit ish Government. Such

negotiations would have to cater

for the European dimension and

our equal aspiration to maintain

membership of the European Union. This would require a

Treaty amendment. However we do recognise that the Spanish

claim constitutes a real hindrance

on the current achievement of such an aspiration and as such

this puts an operat ional constraint on that aspiration. It is

economically but not politically viable at this stage.

We think that free association

provides the sufficient flexibility for us to achieve that full

measure of self-government and

also would clearly meet the current UN criteria for de-listing.

In our view a Free Association constitution would go further

than the 2006 constitution in

certain important respects such as making clear that the

sovereignty of Gibraltar vests in its people and in clearly

demarcating how Gibraltar’s external affairs would be

conducted. Again such a status

w o u l d r e q u i r e d e t a i l e d

negotiations with the UK which

we would initiate in Government. Whether the political environment

changes in future to allow Gibraltar to go further or whether

indeed the European Union or its

Member States evolve in a way that makes this unnecessary only

time will tell.

3. Decolonisation

The mistake of focussing on

decolonisation as the be all and end all is exposed when it is

considered that it is possible to achieve decolonisation by

integration with another Member

State. That would be the opposite of achieving self-government.

Decolonisation also has nothing to do with democracy. As such it

i s p o s s i b l e t o a ch i e v e decolonisation as long as the UN

criteria are met and this

concentrates more on self-government than on the quality

of democracy in a country. In our view simply achieving that

Gibraltar is taken off a list held by

the UN cannot be the objective. We must substantively have

ceased to be a colony; we should be recognised as such and we

should possess a freely chosen

internationally recognised status within which our citizens enjoy

real democracy. Anything less than that short-changes the

people of Gibraltar. Both GSD and GSLP would do well to remember

that.

Secondly we believe

Gibraltar should achieve the fullest measure of self-

government possible. We c o n s i d e r t h a t t h e

sovereignty of Gibraltar,

politically and legally, vests in the people of Gibraltar.

In that context the PDP

therefore supports a status which would today meet

the test of political and economic viability. That

status which takes account

of the desire to maximise s e l f - gover nm ent a nd

preserve our membership of the European Union would

be a form of free association with Britain.

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Achieving decolonisation has two

dimensions – to achieve it in practice and to have it recognised

domestically and internationally. The GSD maintain that the first is

enough. Clearly it is not and we

need to continue a campaign to achieve international recognition

and satisfaction of current UN decolonisation criteria or the

modification of that criterion to accommodate territories such as

Gibraltar. Indeed it may be that

the 2006 constitution does not go far enough to meet the current UN

criteria. Our position in 2006 was that this was an open question

and that the constitution was

worth adopting on its own merit for advancing Gibraltar on the

road to self-government and so as to allow us to lobby the UN for de-

listing subsequently. Events since then have emphasised that the UN

is politically reluctant to act. That

is not Gibraltar’s fault but we should objectively recognise that

the UN case for refusing to act would be made more difficult if we

obtained further self-government

through negotiation.

Spain and Dialogue

Spain is clearly an obstacle to

progress on the efforts to obtain decolonisation and a new status as

well as seeking to exert pressure on the self-government front. We

believe in a policy of dialogue with Spain to achieve better economic,

social and environmental co-

operation and progress that

benefits citizens on both sides of the border. We do not consider

that Spa in needs to be accommodated on the sovereignty

agenda. Any discussion of issues

of status or decolonisation needs to take place in the context that

there is, however, a real need to persuade Spain that she should

peacefully cohabit with Gibraltar in the modern European Union

accepting the political will of its

people now and in the future without seeking to hinder it within

the EU, a t the UN o r internationally.

We will continue to campaign for recognition of our unqualified right

to self-determination. That means we will continue attendances at

the United Nations C24 and Fourth

Committee.

In Government the PDP would invite the Leader of the Opposition

to form part of the Gibraltar

delegation at the UN. It is important to put domestic

differences to one side and cooperate as much as possible on

the international stage.

Our membership of the European

Union brings challenges and opportunities for Gibraltar. The EU

now produces laws that affect our

citizens continually and it is

important that we influence these laws before they are made.

We need to ensure that there are

better ways of influencing

discussions that affect Gibraltar within the European Union. To

that extent the PDP is committed to negotiating agreements with

the British Government so that we can achieve more power,

representation and influence.

We are also committed to seeking

a separate MEP for Gibraltar. Even though we now have the right to

vote in elections to the European

Parliament we believe that for reasons of our separate identity

Gibraltar should have separate representa t ion w i th in the

Parliament.

Additionally Gibraltar should have

representation in the Committee of the Regions which provides a

useful interface with regions within Europe. This would assist the

forging of economic links for

Gibraltar and secure direct access to regional government in the

“Our position within the EU must be developed and safeguarded so that we get the best from our membership of the Union. We are entitled to full access to EU benefits without obstruction from Spain and with the full cooperation of the European Commission and British Government.”

UNITED NATIONS

EUROPEAN UNION

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A NEW STYLE OF POLITICS

LOWER PERSONAL TAX AND BETTER ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT




HELP US DELIVER . . .

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www.pdp.g i Election Agent: Henry Catania & Martin Walsh Tel: 20049000 -Published by Tiptop Ltd, 39 Irish Town, Gibraltar

Printed by Easiprint, Unit 101 Harbours Walk, Gibraltar

Kenneth

NAVAS

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CRUZ

Rosemarie

PEACH

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PHILLIPS

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SENE

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WALSH

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FALLER Keith

AZOPARDI

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TAILOR

PDP 2011 General Election Manifesto

Documents

Transcript of PDP 2011 General Election Manifesto