Years after it was promised by the GSD Government and decades after the Howard Reform League criticised Gibraltar's Prison (dungeon?) at Moorish Castle, at what seems a reasonable cost (£7,000,000 as measured against the £50,000,000 being spent on the new airport terminal), Gibraltar's new Prison has been inaugurated. But credit where it is due the GSD has provided Gibraltar with a prison facility of which it can be proud. In addition it has agreed to increase the number of Prison Officers. Also the infrastructure has been built to train and rehabilitate inmates. All for the good.
It is great to note that the Hon Daniel Feetham MP, Justice Minister, has been credited for overseeing the construction of the Prison, although he did not inaugurate it. The Justice Minister has also achieved much in his Ministry generally and is striving to do more. He deserves encouragement and congratulations. He is reviewing and modernising the criminal legal system and procedures. Although all the legislation was ready some long time ago, it has yet to see the light of day. He is also modernising the laws relating to prisons, treatment of prisoners and suchlike, but these were ready some time ago also. I wonder why and where these are held up?
Thankfully, and at long last, a new court facility is being built and the old court facilities are being modernised. Excellent news and good for the GSD Government and its Justice Minister. One sad note, the majestic staircase that has graced the Supreme Court Building gets demolished next week. Is this really necessary and all for the installation of a lift? I am sure that architects and engineers could be innovative and find a different location for a lift, thus leaving the majestic staircase standing. Go on Danny give it a go. You can do better than destroy a historical feature and one of beauty.
The Justice Minister has also been instrumental in engaging an additional judge to deal with family and divorce matters. Although this has alleviated the court system some measure, the reality is that in the past in the field of criminal trials, commercial disputes and also more general litigation some delay has been experienced. Massive efforts and great strides are being made by the judiciary to deal with matters before the courts but the reality is that there is an ever increasing amount of litigation much of which is increasingly complex.
Perhaps, consideration might be given to engaging a full time Master to deal with procedural and interlocutory applications, thus alleviating the enormous workloads of the Chief Justice and Puisne Judge. All of this also places a great deal of pressure and increased workloads on the shoulders of the Court Registry staff. Like for the Prison Service, could the Government not resource this department with more personnel, providing new members with training in the UK?
A finance centre cannot grow and Gibraltar cannot prosper from its growth without a smooth and efficient dispute resolution service provided by its Courts of Law. The judiciary and court staff are doing a sterling job but with a little more resourcing the improvement would be exponential.
Another piece of 'Old Gibraltar' bites the dust, the majestic staircase. Why do they need a lift in there anyway, it's only one storey isn't it? You can't catch a bus to the upper town (or anywhere else for that matter)after 9pm but you can now get a lift up one floor in our courthouse; great.
ReplyDeleteThe new prison looks very professional, the training and rehab section is a positive improvement. Hope the old prison gets restored properly and not just left to rot for years to come.
Rebecca the answer is for disabled people to access the first floor where court rooms will be built.
ReplyDeleteHowever, as LW suggests a different location could surely be found for the lift.
Sadly it is now too late. If this had been made public sooner perhaps something could have been done about it.
Maybe LW could save the day by petition the Minister, Planning or Heritage Officer to reconsider
Anonymous, unfortunately no matetr how much we petition the Minister, Planning or Heritage Officer, nothing will be done.
ReplyDeleteI hate to sound so negative, but look around you, the current administration gave up on Heritage some time ago. I remember a time when Gibraltar was "in line" to secure World Heritage Status, but when was the last time you heard anything relating to this??! No doubt UNESCO have given up on us. The GSD has built towers all around Gibraltar, and the biggest asset we had to obtain the Heritage Status has been lost - the image of the Rock of Gibraltar from the Strait - nowadays the view is blocked by the many towers that have been erected everywhere.
Some time back, Finlayson and his team managed to keep Gibraltar clean, but their efforts and good intentions are now playing on deaf ears with the Minister having no respect for our Heritage.
Countless other things have and are being lost. The heritage agents are powerless..agian it is a question of Minster or Our Hon. Village Elder, PC, knows best and no Technical Officer with the know-how and expertise can defy him!
Good, like that they can lock up more white- collar thugs and serious criminals for longer and give some respite to many local petty criminals.
ReplyDeleteNewklear said ...
ReplyDeleteIt is Gibraltar’s worst kept secret that those with the requisite expertise in the employ of Government are frequently overridden by directions from the Big Kahuna. It is the eroding tolerance to this approach which will cost him the next election.
Thankfully this blog serves as a forum to raise these matters but it’s a pity - as Spartacus and Anon@ 23:05 rightly say – it is now too late. Today it’s the staircase, what will it be tomorrow?
LlW
ReplyDeleteYou said: "Go on Danny give it a go. You can do better than destroy a historical feature and one of beauty."
and Anon said:
"Maybe LW could save the day by petition the Minister, Planning or Heritage Officer to reconsider."
Now come on, boys. Surely you know that Danny is only doing his master's bidding as Clerk of Works and that Danny cannot move one inch without Pete's prior permission.
If you want to lobby anyone you need to lobby Pete himself; otherwise you're wasting your time. That's how things work in this village.
Come on LW! You've already had a front-pager this week concerning this blog, bring something out about the staircase!!
ReplyDeleteBad design, don't tell me they could not find another place for it or work around it somehow. If something like the Eiffel Tower can be built over 100 years ago anything is possible.
Staircase?? Ah, just rip it out and chuck it on the skip.
Theatre Royal?? Just demolish it and chuck all the ornate viewing boxes on the skip.
I`m absolutely staggered to hear that the stair case is to be demolished. Who on earth (and in their right mind)took that decision ???? Surely it must be possible to instal a lift without destroying what is possibly the Courthouse`s greatest feature. It saddens me greatly to see that what was once a very valid criticism against the GSLP with regard to our heritage and it`s destruction now no longer seems to hold water.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, because Govt does not have to go through the planning application process as does everyone else the consultation phase and in turn us being able to object to anything is cut out ! Further proof of `open and accountable ` government...or not !!!!!
As an aside ..the much needed new prison is finally ready. Credit to the Govt. But I am left wondering how the patiently waiting prospective new home owners of the affordable housing will be feeling about living in similar accomodation. It`s very much a case of `spot the difference`.
Hi Rebecca:
ReplyDeleteI was only on the front page because the Chronic picked it up from the blog. I have made no other public statement. They are welcome to pick up this blog also.
I've emailed the Chronicle and also the Heritage Trust today, would like to gauge how much anyone knew about this. We all seem to be surprised about it on this blog and people whom I've talked to today know zilch about it.
ReplyDeletePC really doesn't give a hoot about heritage does he, Spartacus is right.
Hi Rebecca:
ReplyDeleteI hope my informant has his facts right!
Robert, I hope he has too!!! I've been complaining about it all day to everyone I know!
ReplyDeleteDaniel Feetham said:
ReplyDeleteRobert
The Supreme Court staircase is not original. The treads are made of concrete and I am advised it probably dates from the 1970s. The original staircase which was built in 1888 at the time the Library was built, would have been made of wood and probably rotted or possibly stone not concrete. The spindles or balusters are also not original. Even knowing the whole thing was not original but a relatively modern copy, I have had numerous meetings with consultants trying to work out a way in which the staircase could be retained in its present form but it is impossible due to the new level of the mezzanine extension and the lift shaft. As you rightly point out we need to provide for a lift shaft in order to cater for disabled access to the two Courts on the mezzanine level. That level is at a different height to the current staircase as it branches to the left and right. I cannot accept a situation where two of our courts are not readily accessible to the disabled with all the implications that has for access to justice. However the staircase will be rebuilt and the end product will not detract from the Georgian entrance. On the contrary I think it will enhance it. I try not to get involved in minute details but I have been very involved in the approval of the design of the rebuilt staircase and I am confident it will get a-thumbs up from most people.
But I also want to say something about how we approached the issue with the Heritage Trust. I personally presented the scheme with the Heritage Officer to a full meeting of the Board of the Heritage Trust on 10 April 2008. At the time no information or documentation was withheld from the Trust. Indeed the scheme could not have been presented in greater detail and the Board had before it all the details, plans and drawings relating to the project.
In particular the proposed mezzanine extension was addressed in detail and a series of computer generated images showed how this would appear even if the foliage in the Main Street forecourt where to be removed which is not the intention. I told the Heritage Trust that given the historical significance of the building the project (or any part of it) would not go ahead if the Trust did not support it. In other words, the Heritage Trust was given an opportunity to VETO the scheme or any aspect of it. The Chairman at the time was David Eveson for whom I have a lot of time. Of course, he is now an executive member of the PDP and a colleague of Rebecca. The degree therefore of consultation and rights offered to the Trust to block this scheme or any aspect of it on heritage grounds has been unprecedented.
Following this presentation the Chairman of the Heritage Trust wrote to me on 14 April 08 accepting and welcoming the scheme with two conditions;
1) That the façade of the building in Town Range (i.e. where the Magistrates Court will be located) be retained.
2) The Trust was to be informed of any changes to the scheme.
The decision to, for instance, retain the facade on the Town Range site was taken against advice from the consultants engaged by the Government and on the basis of the conditions imposed by the Heritage Trust. It has added an additional cost of £350,000 to the taxpayer and led to significant delays to the project and yet the Government has remained resolute in the assurances it gave the Board. The judicial system is finding it very difficult to cope with the current facilities. It is absolutely imperative that this project is completed in a timely manner and I am hopeful that by the Summer of next year we will have completed half the Supreme Court project and the entire Magistrates Court on the Town Range site.
Hi Daniel;
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comprehensive explanation about the demolition of the Supreme Court staircase and for taking the time to provide it to us.
It seems to me that your explanation should allay any feras that the integrity of the lobby and entrance of the Supreme Court building, which has graced so many paintings and photographs will be maintained or at least reproduced.
If the government are suggesting to demolish the staircse in the supreme court building or change the look of the building in any way it is an absolute shame and they should be stopped.
ReplyDeleteOf course the court has to keep up with the times in terms of size and increasing volume of work and of course they have to provide access to disabled users but this should not be done at the expense of destroying the heritage of this beautiful building, there must be alternatives.
However, government have shown no consideration for heratige whatsoever in the past so why should they now? If they destroyed the Rosia Tanks they will destoy anything.
But it is not too late yet if the staircase is still in tact, so if poeple really feel stronly about it do something about it. However, as is typical in Gibraltar there will be a lot of huffing and puffing and no action, probably because of fear of repercussion.....
Thanks Danny for your detailed explanation. I have just had an email from the Heritage Trust explaining much the same and that their decision was not taken lighthly. They assure me that an equally majestic, if not smaller staircase will soon grace the entrance to our courts.
ReplyDeleteWell, I am now relieved and also quite impressed as to how fast we got to the bottom of all this in one day. You see, some things can be done very quickly!!
I am surprised that a government minister has felt the urge to publish a comment in a blog and also publish details of exchanges with the Heritage Trust. If he is so keen to make information public then why have the plans for the court building not been made publicly available and denied to many who have asked to see them? Perhaps he could send them to LW as a pdf for all to see.
ReplyDeleteMay I congratulate the Minister for Justice for providing the explanation. I congratulate you for engaging with the public in this way. It is a breath of fresh air.
ReplyDeleteHey Rebecca, Again, hate to be so negative...but can we belive everything the Heritage Trust have told you in that email?
ReplyDeleteSometimes, Institutions in our Village are "made" to go along with decisions, and unfortunately, for the many reasons that have been discussed on here at length, they have to appear to be backing decisions.
If they were unhappy with the decison, or indeed other similar decisions for similar scenarios, would they speak out????
Again, sorry to appear so cynical, but this is Gibraltar where most of us are connected to one another in some form or another, and as a result we all sometimes have access to, or hear the "unofficial" statements.
The Gibraltar Heritage Trust (GHT) has read the above exchanges with great interest. The Board of Trustees was indeed addressed by the Hon. D. Feetham on the 10th April 2008 and was given a very detailed explanation of the proposed project. As correctly stated, the Trust was essentially given the power of veto over the project at a very early stage. The acceptance of the demolition of the staircase came after the Board considered the project in its entirety and concluded that the loss of the staircase, which was not considered original to the building in the first place, could be replaced by an equally majestic if slightly smaller set of stairs that would also accommodate a lift shaft. The end product would mean a continuation of the operation of Gibraltar’s justice system from this site, a totally intangible yet equally important aspect to the heritage value of the building and Gibraltar. As also correctly stated, the Trust asked that the Town Range façade also be respected and that the Trust be kept informed of any changes. This request has been honoured and taken further to the extent that the Trust has on a number of occasions been offered a number of salvage items, shutters, floorboard etc, which were taken for reuse in other restoration projects around Gibraltar. Out of interest, the salvage of the floorboards brought to light a piece of historical grafitti on the underside of one of the boards (in the name of the carpenters who laid the floor in 1938. After an article on the find was published in the Gibraltar Chronicle on 8th April 2009 a relation of the carpenter came forward and was able to directly see a part of their family history).
ReplyDeleteAny consideration given to altering historical buildings is never taken lightly by the Trust. Gibraltar’s historical resource is finite. The Trust is acutely aware of this and pushes for sustainable reuse of buildings. A great deal of work is done in the background by the Trust. We welcome the conviction of the contributors to this discussion and would urge them to join the Trust (if not already members) and contribute towards the pursuance of this aim.
The unprecedented consultation between Government and the GHT in this case has been exemplary and is a model the GHT is keen to continue to work to for future Government projects with heritage implications.
Hmmm..Rebecca, it looks like you are going to have to email the Chronicle and all the people you have been "complaining to all day" and set the record straight then?
ReplyDeleteIt dosn't look like communication is too great on your exec either.
Well done Mr Feetham !!
Hi Anonymous at 19:46:
ReplyDeleteYour comment to Rebecca is uncalled for and gloating. Perhaps if the GSD had kept their manifesto commitment to have transparent government the relevant plans would have been public and this debate may not have arisen or not as it is true that the staircase is to be demolished.
The jury is out on the new one as the public has not seen it. Is this transparent government?
Wouldn't be surprised if Mr Feetham got a good telling off from Village Elder Himself after he discovers he posted on this blog! Unless of course, he was acting on the instruction of PC Himself!
ReplyDeleteBotton line - the grand stair case is to be demolished so as to accomodate a lift shaft. I shall have to reserve judgement on the new plans until such time as they are completed.
ReplyDeleteI am slightly perplexed however by the Minister`s comments with regard to retaining the Town Range facade and this being contrary to the advice given by consultants. My knowledge on the matter is limited but I would have thought that if these consultants are specialised in the field of conservation and restoration (as one would expect?) why would they be advising against retaining the facade.
Having a slight problem with this one!
The technicalities/heritage issues aside, I agree with others that it is
ReplyDeleteindeed 'refreshing' to see a Government Minister being so open!!
I am not a GSD supporter (which is a very loosely guarded secret!) but again applaud my pal DF for going where others fear to tread!!!....Max
Fred says:
ReplyDeleteRobert, I agree with you that Anonymous 19:46 was gloating. I would add silly, churlish and catty - miau.
However, I would also say that Rebecca should try to curb her own more visceral political impulses; in her haste to attack she launched into criticism without considering the need for disabled access.
Thank you to Mr Feetham for informing us about what is going on in our Parish Council, but conragtualtions are hardly in order for what should be the routine business of keeping the Parishoners informed about how their funds are being administered.
I beleive in none of the politicians or their apparatchiks and wish a plague on all their houses. Perhaps this is why I like this blog so much.
PS - being a big fan of modernist architecture I do not really care for heritage. In any case, heritage is in the blood: Llanito
Hi All:
ReplyDeleteI have dwelling on the comment by DF that "The treads are made of concrete and I am advised it probably dates from the 1970s."
I have been a lawyer since 1976. I have been going to the Court House well before that because my father is a lawyer. I recall that staircase in the early '70's. Also, I have photos in my office of lawyers in the early 1950's in which I recall the present staircase being used as a backdrop (I say I recall because I have not checked the photos out but will do so on Monday).
It is also noticeable that the GHT carefully avoid dating the staircase saying: "The acceptance of the demolition of the staircase came after the Board considered the project in its entirety and concluded that the loss of the staircase, which was not considered original to the building in the first place, could be replaced by an equally majestic if slightly smaller set of stairs that would also accommodate a lift shaft."
I am sure that DF has been advised about the staircase and is being honest and truthful in his statement but how closely have those who have advised him researched the matter? Certainly GHT does not seem to have done so , as their statement s couched in terms of it not being considered original. All very odd!
above all the post by el patita jamon mp proves that this blog is, at the very least, uncomfortable for the gsd.....it must be a source of many a sleepless night for their loyal footsoldiers...long live the power of the internet!!!! the cynic in me also says, don't pay much attention to the heritages speedy,carefully coordinated and ministerially sanctioned reply
ReplyDeleteThe GHT have made an error of judgment with the facade of the Town Range building. It has delayed the project, cost the public purse an unnecessary extra £350, 000 in difficult global economic times and its heritage value is not readily apparent to many. To top it up the experts advised against the facade.
ReplyDeleteThe Minister, honourable and true to his word though he's been, has made another error of judgment in not reconsidering his decision and knocking it down. His explanations justify demolition and not retention.
GHT - 0 points
Ha, what a farce. The "unprecedented consultation between Government and the GHT" is only a damage-limitation exercise after the PR disasters of the Theatre Royal and, in particular, the wanton and unforgivable destruction of the Rosia Tanks.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, LlW, the Supreme Court staircase is much older than the Govt is letting on. Difficult for the Govt to come clean on anything, isn't it. Old habits die hard.
Funny how the Govt destroy the Theatre Royal and Rosia Tanks, ruin our skyline including the unforgivable Clifftop House that mars the former spectacular view from Jews' Gate and then, after that string of fiascos, the only time they take heed of the Heritage Trust is to retain the facade of the building in Town Range, which will cost us an extra £350,000 that we can ill afford, and to demolish the Supreme Court's signature feature, its grand staircase.
Sorry, Pete and Danny: it'll time for you to go next year before you cause any more damage. If Danny hadn't been so impatient and had bided his time at the GSLP he would be now be poised to enter Govt next year with Joe Bossano, possibly as Chief Minister. But he blew it in his haste and uncontrollable hunger for power. Goodbye GSD / Labour.
I totally agree with mike, how odd that the GHT should have replied so soon and in such detail. It just goes to show that not only do they not stand up to government but they clearly take directions from them. But I can only imagine what would happen if they were to oppose any major government decision. What a shame that we live in a village where ordinary people, even when part of a committee, are afraid to speak out and stand for their principles, only those who are very brave (and are not civil servants) dare to do so. Shame that people do not have the courage to rise to the establishment, perhaps if the village was a democracy such levels of courage would not be needed. What a great shame that the GHT find themselves in the position that they do, no logical thinking person would have agreed to such proposals.... and perhaps we would still have the Rosia Tanks. Thank you LW for this forum where some of us who do not have the courage required can find a forum to express ourselves.
ReplyDeleteMr Feetham, since you clearly read this blog, please tell us when you are going to let us see the plans of a new court, i have yet to see them. A lawyer
ReplyDeleteAnon @ 1155 "I totally agree with mike, how odd that the GHT should have replied so soon and in such detail."
ReplyDeleteLOL Someone at Village Central (No6) definitely has this page Bookmarked and has been instructed to constantly check on it. I can imagine someone sat there in No6 constantly pressing the refresh button every few seconds to read if any new anti comments have been posted LOL
Today I am going down Eastern Beach for the first time this season. With the major construction works in the area, I wonder if I will manage to get there at all! Also, anybody knows at what time the Sun disappears behind the ever-growing pile of filth that accumulates by Eastern Beach and continues to contaminate our sea??
P.S Llanitoworld, maybe you could write your next blog on Bach Facilites or the On-going Works at Devils Tower Rd.
If I can change the subject slightly, what do you all think of Minister Holliday's new purge on mobile phones?? It's very connected to 'The Prison,Justice Ministry and the courts'!!
ReplyDeleteI am not a mobile user and personally hate the damn things, which must put me in a very small minority!! What I do find extraordinary however is the Draconian nature of the new legislation. Apparently first offenders will be fined 100 pounds and the second offence carries a 200 pound fine or THREE MONTHS IMPRISONMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What would the 3 time offender be subject to?? Life imprisonment or death by lethal injection????? Driving in Gibraltar mostly consists of sitting in the never ending traffic jams and suffering in silence.Can you visualize a respectable type citizen calling home to advise the wife that he will be late for dinner as he is stuck in traffic, only to find that as this is the second time he has been caught doing this he potentially faces a three month stretch in the new prison!!!!!!!!!!!!
C'mon Holliday this is just insane!! If (as you admit) you are on of the 'worst culprits', set an example, hand yourself in and take a three month break from the HOA!!!!!!!!!...Max
Elio says: Max don't get too excited about the £100 fine, it won't be enforced. How many £100 parking-tickets are issued for parking in bus-stops, especially the one in Winston Churchill Avenue between 8.30 and 9 a.m. every weekday?
ReplyDeleteI have just read the postings and I find it scandalous that the PDP should say "What do they need the lifts for? Are these the people who want to be elected as a government of the people? Anon at June 2010 23:55 has explained it well to whom, appears to be the spokeperson of the said party or is she self appointed?
ReplyDeleteI have not seen in a long time people so desperate for "front-pagers" or hungry for prominence, just waiting to jump in every bandwagon passing their way . PC like always got it right. Well done.
Good one, Max
ReplyDeleteI wonder: does the new legislation say anything about buses? If the Govt are true to their word buses will soon be free to encourage people to use them so Ministers will surely set an example by travelling by bus, instead of using their polluting cars. Will they be fined for answering their mobile phones whilst on the buses?
Spartacus
I wonder whether the 'Village Elder', as you call him is aware that the Royal Aspirant is checking and contributing to Llanito World during working hours. Just wait till the Village Elder finds out.
DF gives the game away when he says "I have been very involved in the approval of the design of the rebuilt staircase". We all know that this means he takes the design up to his (relatively) new Master for approval. Similarly when he says "I cannot accept a situation where...". He means he (Pete) cannot accept... We all know that no Minister can make a decision, however small, without Pete personally sanctioning it.
Finally, DF says "the Heritage Trust has been given an opportunity to VETO the scheme or any aspect of it". Hello! Is this the same GSD Govt that destroyed the Theatre Royal and Rosia Tanks and permitted the building of various monstrosities such as Clifftop House?
They must be getting desperate as next year's general election looms and electoral disaster stares them in the face.
Honney Bee says..
ReplyDeleteAnon @ 3.14
The function of the GHT is to safe guard and promote Gibraltar`s heritage - in this case architectural. The only way in which they could make an `error of judgement` would have been if they had sanctioned the demolition of the Town Range property in it`s entirety.
Our heritage, to us, in my view is priceless and unique and it`s what gels us together as a people. While it`s true that there are global economic difficulties we seem to weathering them relatively well and £350,000 seems like a drop in the ocean compared to the £50m plus that we are spending on the new air terminal.
Fred, point taken about the lift, but like all the other posters here (apart from GHT and Danny Feetham) we knew nothing about the details of the plans for the new courts. LW has brought it to our attention now and good on him.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I read this yesterday I contacted the GHT and the Chronicle and all afternoon I had email exchanges simultaneously with both parties. It was not rash or impulsive; I was concerned and upset about the staircase and wanted to find out the facts a.s.a.p. The facts being that the staircase is being demolished. Point.
I like others here reserve further judgement until I see the finished product and also echo those feelings about total lack of transparency. It's as if Government want us to get wound up by these things; come out with letters and press releases and facebook pages etc. so that they can then jump out from the bushes and say "Ha! We went through all the necessary channels and all boxes have been ticked, so yaboo sucks to the lot of you!"
This opaqueness is so transparent to the rest of us!
Hi Elio.....I wasn't getting excited about the £100 fine or even the £200 one! I think that users of mobiles in cars (the Minister included) need their brains examined but would question the need to lock anyone up for three months for such a trivial (2 time) offence!!!!
ReplyDeleteEvery case should be looked at on it's merits and I fully agree that the mobile user who runs somebody over whilst engaging in idle 'chit chat' should be dealt with severely.
If, as you say, it won't be enforced then what is the point of the whole exercise?? Another publicity stunt by PC's righteous brigade???....Max
Another lawyer said:
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe these posts. The guy provides the most detail explanation I have seen and so do the Heritage people and you criticise for the sake of it. What is the point of wanting transparent gov when you dont even listen. I think the plans to the law courts are a public document lodged at dti! Anyone can inspect them. I have also been in his office with several lawyers in one of his reform committees and far from wanting to keep the plans secret he bores everyone to death with the details of them! why you dont you give him a ring and ask to see the plans? Sorry probably you will now say I am Caruana with a cunning plan to get you to identify yourselves! The GHT, the judges and the magistrates have all seen the plans. The president of the courts and the Chairman of the Bar Council welcomed them during the opening of the legal year. Lawyers on his law reform committees have been shown the plans. What else is he supposed to do people???? The staircase is not original but if you want four courts it needs to be made smaller to accomodate a lift for the disabled. The heritage people were given a veto and David Eveson, a member of the PDP executive committee, did not exercise it when he was chairman of the Hertiage Trust. Was he also part of the conspiracy and attempt to keep things hidden? come on.
I agree with Rebecca's post above. Seems to me she talks a lot of sense but is always immediately attacked by 'merged GSD Labour' PC / DF sycophants who know their stale Govt is in its last throes and are desperately trying to stem the outflow of support to the GSLP Libs and, to a lesser extent, the PDP. I also sense an element of chauvinism: the criticism of Rebecca is more vitriolic than any criticism of male posters and that cannot be a coincidence.
ReplyDeleteAs if the gaffe about the lift was not enough, we get a post with six or seven "I" "I" "I" how egocentric can you get. The man has given an explanation, let us wait until his information can be verified.
ReplyDeleteMark ... how can you resent the criticism towards Rebecca when we are told by...Another Lawyer at 19:05 that David Eveson a member of the PDP executive did not object when he was chairman of the Heritage Trust?
ReplyDeleteIt has nothing to do with gender it has to do with "cara dura".
You know what Mark,I think flattery works. Maybe some things are transparent to some of us.
Dear All:
ReplyDeleteDF has had the decency to reply on this blog and to transparently explain the issue of the Supreme Court staircase. He should be praised and not condenmned for this. If he is condemned unfairly, then you have youir reason why transpareny is absent from government in Gibraltar.
In fairness, even if it is the original staircase (and I do not believe, from what DF says, following receipt of professional advise, that it is, although it may pre-date the 1970's) and there is an absolute need to demolish it, as explained and described, so long as the replacement staircase is built with care, is carefully designed and maintains the integrity of the building, then so be it.
We cannot be puritanical about these things save in extremes and for objects of the utmost heritage value. Old buildings are constantly updated and remodelled for modern use, so long as it is done with care such modernisation should not be criticised.
I regret having mentioned the staircase. This blog was intended to highlight the efficacy and good work of one minister, DF, and the issue of the staircase has completely distracted from this. Can we leave the staircase comments now and perhaps debate the other issues raised?
RV.....In the words of another Robert (Plant)....the 'Stairway to Heaven'!! PC is sinking like a Led Zeppelin!!!....Max
ReplyDeleteLW...
ReplyDeleteI agree that DF has had the decency to give an explanation and he should not be condemmed for it, but to have a blog intended to highlight the efficacy and good work of one Minister,DF. has a tinge of GSD propaganda. What is it, he has not enough with "Seven Days" and "Caruana Watch"?
Hi Anonymous at 21:43:
ReplyDeleteNo it does not have the tinge of GSD propaganda. It has the tinge of free speech and calling a spade a spade. That is what I do based on my opinion.
Well said RV....Caruana Watch is after all a one man show!!!...Max
ReplyDeleteRobert, you shouldn't regret mentioning the staircase. It has opened up a highly exciting debate. You posed some questions which were provocative and now we have all benefited from discussing the issue and getting answers straight from the horses' mouths. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThe 'Stairway to Heaven' Rebecca... Remember ?Max
ReplyDeleteFred says:
ReplyDeleteQue le den por saco a la escalera! Que la eshen abajo pronto que 'toy cansau de 'cusha de ella.
I agree with Robert, Mr Feetham should receive a nod for what he has done well. His guerilla action on the gay issue stands out for credit, shame the opposition did not pile in behind it.
I may even vote for him as one of the people in my non-block vote voting strategy, even though I still want a plague on all the political parties. I don't vote for people because I like them, I vote for them because I expect them to work for us.
Fred...I agree with you entirely...I want PC out but cannot begin to comprehend why members of the Opposition voted against the age of consent private members bill !!
ReplyDeleteIf it was a personal 'axe grinding' issue then they should hang their heads in shame!Our elected representatives should start to realise that they serve the community n not vice versa....
If certain (supposed) politicos could have put aside their misplaced animosity towards certain individuals and voted as they REALLY believed the result may have been quite different...Shame on them!!...Max
Dear Llanito World
ReplyDeleteI think from all of this we should be proud to see how finally a minister, in this case Daniel Feetham, is at one with the public and has the humility and level headedness to partake in a blog and provide the elctorate with explanations and reasons for the decisions he and his ministry have taken on this matter. I am overjoyed to witness this level of transparency and ownership by the minister for his actions. Perhaps there is hope for the GSD alfter all? In the right hands obviously.....
But not in PC's hands Len!!!
ReplyDeleteHaving just seen M.A.s comments on Daniel Feetham 'leaving the GSLP because of his hunger for power', I feel some things should be put right here:
ReplyDeleteM.A. -Clearly your facts are sordidly wrong! Daniel Feetham had an understanding with Mr. Picardo and Mr. Bossano that meant that Mr. Bossano would around that time pave the way for Picardo and Feetham to succeed him. When it was evident that Bossano had no plans to leave, Feetham regrouped his thoughts and had the 'balls' to take off and start something new, knowing full well he was taking a risk. I certainly wouldnt attribute this to been 'power hungry' but more about having the brains and the vision to realise that the GSLP was a dead end party with Bossano at the helm.
Feetham has had the foresight to realise who he was messing with. Bossano despite assurances to all, -as he did at the last election when he was defeated YET AGAIN and promised he was not to lead the party again - (he is doing just that for the next elections it seems) is apparently the most power huingry of all despite a long, long line of political defeats!
Danny on the other hand is wasted around these types who dont allow and inspire new blood, and i commend his move. Proof is look where he is today, and how much value he has subsequently added since his departure from the GSLP!
It appears that Danny saved himself from a party, within which THERE you will find all the 'power hungry' has beens you may be searching for!
Its a pleasure to see Danny in his rightful place as a Minister and doing the sterling work he has shown to be doing so far, and i look forward to have him serve us for another term in office...
Hi Anon, 5th June 2010 : 21.43.
ReplyDeleteYou were right this has a tinge of GSD propaganda for Danny Boy inspired by a well known bar come restaurant, FOLLOW. How innocent, some of you out there are, but to some of us "esta mas claro que el agua". This is not the first attempt to manipulate us to discuss Danny Boy. We want to discuss issues,not personalities and anyway in Gib we know who everybody is.
Your name maybe Ruth but Truth you are not. We in the GSLP know very well why Danny Boy left. And we say "GOOD RIDDANCE". He was and is power hungry. Mr.Caruana you be on your guard . Having him in your midst is like sleeping with the enemy.
ReplyDeleteRuth Truth
ReplyDeleteI find it very hard to believe that "Daniel Feetham had an understanding with Mr. Picardo and Mr. Bossano that meant that Mr. Bossano would around that time pave the way for Picardo and Feetham to succeed him".
Which of the two would succeed him? Danny or Fabian? Can't have been both. You can't have two leaders. Whatever the true story, it shows that Fabian was much cleverer than Danny. Fabian manoeuvred Danny's departure from the GSLP, leaving the field clear for Fabian to become leader-in-waiting.
Meanwhile Danny, instead of continuing with his Labour Party which had gathered 8% support, capitulated totally by 'merging' his party with his erstwhile adversary, the GSD. Labour could and should eventually have taken over from the disintegrating GSD but, no, Danny couldn't wait. He wanted power; he wanted to be in Government now.
I well remember how gobsmacked people were when they heard that 'socialist' Danny had joined the GSD.
Shame because I liked the Labour Party and thought they would have done well in the future if they persevered. They had quite a good team. If only Danny hadn't been so impatient and power-hungry. He just couldn't wait to get into Government.
Keith Azopardi has taken the more difficult, but more honourable, course of ploughing on with his own party, the PDP. Maybe the PDP will take over from the GSD as the second main party when the GSD runs it's course, as appears to be happening already, and goes the way of the AACR.
One thing's for sure: Danny is known to be fed up of his master's tantrums. He realises what a big mistake he made by disbanding the Labour Party to join Pete, who he had so severely criticised in umpteen press releases. Worse, he wasn't given the 'Deputy CM' title that he so craved when the parties 'merged' because Joe Holliday threatened to resign if Danny got the title instead of him. After all, Joe had been with Pete through thick and thin and deserved it much more.
This led to the farsical situation of BOTH Joe and Danny accompanying Pete to the UN to watch him read his speech.
Sorry, but Danny blew it and I don't expect him to stand again with the GSD next year. Not unless he can strike a Granita pact with Pete and we all know how unlikely this will be as Pete told the FT he wants to serve forever.
Planning Our Heritage ....
ReplyDeleteOur 'Heritage' is an inheritance from past generations who cared for Gibraltar as a whole community at the time and in the future. not for the profit of a few sycophantic insiders.
We can look back with pride to those independent public spirited administrations in planning Gibraltar with such care and vision.
They invested their resources with great intelligence, refined aesthetic judgement, adherence to quality and above all a public sense of duty to protect the health and well being of it's inhabitants.
Perhaps these past colonial administrations were less democratic than today's government but at least the system worked and we enjoy today the fruits of that vision and planning control.
Sadly since the early 80's and since the political classes began to excerpt control over their Urban planners and architects Gibraltar's built environment has been generally a disaster.
Let's face it Gibraltar, in terms of urban planning, today is an absolute bloody mess. It is heartbreaking to think what we will leave behind to future generations. A collection of poor quality ill conceived buildings which are alien in context to their surroundings in scale and architectural style.
I am not suggesting we replicate the vernacular or echo the past in terms of scale and design. What I do find distressing is the complete disregard for the future public need.
We have destroyed forever our common inheritance for the sake of satisfying the greed of developers .Thank God for the Heritage Trust and their sterling work at least there is one qualified intelligent voice their to protect us where they can!
What an inheritance !
We have lost many of our cherished vistas, public amenities, and for what? Short term gain for a few and a long term cost for our society
I only hope and pray that our future governments will have the vision and will to pull down these monstrous carbuncles and restore some civic pride and duty back into our society .
This is getting worse than "Seven Days". Is singing the praises of a Government Minister giving us the right to free speech? This is repeated at nauseum everyday in the above newspaper. You get a lovely halfpage photo and all the good things he is doing. By the way who controls that newspaper ? I would love to know.
ReplyDeleteFred says:
ReplyDeleteThe personality centric posts in this thread show everything that is wrong with local politics: the absolute inability to discuss the issues at hand in favour of "cotilleo de patio".
Its the same type of nonsensical hysteria that accompanies support for football clubs. Ni los equipos de futbol, ni los politicos me dan de comer, asi que me da absolutamente igual que punyaledas se den unos a otros y el puterio-politico que se monten entre ellos It's all part of the game, y que se salve quien pueda.
What I care about is whether they can address the daily issues that affect us all in a publicly accountable manner.
At the moment Mr Feetham seems to be doing his job, if tomorrow it's Mr Picardo so be it, o Pepito-de-lo-Palote, but none of them have my loyalty in any shape or form, and the sooner others adopt this attitude the sooner politicians will be more accountable.
Hi Anonymous at 13:51:
ReplyDeleteif you consider this to be worse than 7 Days you have undoubtedly not read the pieces writtenin this blog in the past.
Anon
ReplyDeleteYou said: "Thank God for the Heritage Trust and their sterling work"!
Do you really think the Heritage Trust has any credibility after its complete and utter defeat by Peter Caruana over the Rosia Tanks affair?
Yo digo que Pete se cargo al Heritage Trust igual que Maggie Thatcher se cargo a los unions.
7 Days is one of those 'happy' publications that likes to believe we are all stupid!!
ReplyDeleteIt is cringeworthy beyond belief and an insult to the intelligence of anyone who might accidently pick it up without realising what it was!!
Any regular reader of that piece of toilet paper presumably believes that there are pots of gold at the end of rainbows and Santa Claus really does come down the chimney!!!!!!!!!!
LW is a big balled Rottweiler in comparison to 7 days 'castrated poodle'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Max
To Anon 13.13 - Are we still in time to stop the mid-town development and instead convert the area into a much needed park/garden as had been suggested sometime ago by some?
ReplyDeleteLW .....It is precisely because I have read the pieces written in this blog, that I can't for the life of me understand how writing about "the efficacy and good work of one Minister " can be an example, of rebelling against, the gagging of free speech that takes place in the media. Only critics of Ministers are gagged not sychophants.
ReplyDeleteLlanito World blog worse than the 7 Days rag?!!
ReplyDeleteThe Llanito World blog is a breath of fresh air and a much needed infusion of democracy and free speech, sadly lacking among the mostly-controlled media that dominate our newssheets and airwaves.
The 7 Days is hugely expensive for the taxpayer and is mostly strewn around town, largely ignored and unread. It has published character assassinations of Fabian Picardo and Daniel Guerrero in the past but nothing much newsworthy.
I trust that scrapping this expensive taxpayer-funded rag - or at least reducing this huge expense - will form an important plank of the Government's paper- and tree-saving measures contained in the soon-to-be published environmental plan announced by Minister Britto on GBC Newswatch this week.
Well done LW, Mark A, K. Kapulleo, Fred, Furious Friar and several Anonymous contributors for dealing with "ISSUES" and Daniel Feetham for his own contribution. On the other hand the PDP's lack of ideas is reflected in Rebecca's blooper in forgetting that disabled people also need to use public buildings and complaining about the installation of a lift in teh Court House. This blog really is an eye opener. PDP "guys": please engage brain before articulating.
ReplyDeleteWe know that the GSD is behind the expensive 7 day rag but who in particular in the GSD?
ReplyDeletereally! the GSD behind 7 Days nooo, venga ya??? whoever owns the village rag will have its ownership well structured so that ultimately his name cannot be linked/traced to it. so much for transparency! y se quejaban del GSLP!
ReplyDeleteDear Mark A.
ReplyDeleteIF what you say is true and 'Fabian marked the territory for Danny to leave' you can count on one less vote from me for the GSLP! I mean, am i supposed to now be enamoured by these revelations of Fabian's backstabbing plans for a fellow colleague in his team?
If he really did to that to Danny, then i dread to think what hes capable of doing to Gib for his own political or personal gain if elected! Scarey stuff! You are right though, evidently i was naive about... wow what an eye opener!
THanks for removing my blinkers! And i thought it was time to trust the GSLP!
Ruth Truth
As was said before your name maybe Ruth but certainly not Truth. You have never been a GSLP voter, nor were you going to vote GSLP. There are some of us with good memories who read all posts, and I have not forgotten the other one you wrote.
ReplyDeleteHow can you accuse Fabian of back stabbing and yet praise Danny for backstabbing the GSLP. It's incongruous and ludicrous the yardstick you use to measure.
I WILL ADD MY PRAISES TO D FEETHAM. THIS MAN IS ENGAGING THE MAN ON THE STREET AND TAKING ON A HUGE TASK AT THE NEW MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
ReplyDeleteWow Anonymous, for a nameless character you can be rather scary! lol! it was Mark that said Fabian laid the territory for Danny's departure not me! (Mark as in, 'you' probably!) if that aint tantamount to backstabbing, then I'M starting to fear YOUR yardstick to be perfectly honest! But surely you know that already coz from your certainties about me, you seem to know everything!
ReplyDeleteBut dont sweat it. Just make sure you who is a GSLP supporter (or member?) remain more rational and less passionate about arguments. They always sound more convincing that way.....
Ruth whose second name is not Truth. You may not have been the initiator of the fallacy expounded by Mark, but you have repeated and accepted it and formed your post based on it.I as a GSLP MEMBER, know, for a fact, what Danny did to the GSLP. Do not have any fear of the yardstick by which I measure,for though passionate when expounding my arguments I am completely rational and just. Whilst you! use a different yardstick to measure the behaviour of individuals according to their colours.
ReplyDeleteMemory.
Ruth Truth
ReplyDeleteTo clarify: Fabian had been in Gibraltar all along when Danny suddenly came back to Gib from Manchester and wanted to lead the GSLP immediately. Fabian had to show Danny that he had to wait his turn. But Danny was too power-hungry and too impatient. He was not prepared to wait his turn. That's why he left the GSLP to start Labour and then abruptly joined his great adversary Pete, who he had so severely criticised very publicly in many a press release. Danny must be seriously regretting not having persevered with Labour as he's heading for opposition next year, in the unlikely event that he stands again whereas Keith's PDP is on the ascendant and is likely to take over from the GSD as one of the two main parties in Gib when the GSD disintegrates totally as the AACR did in its time.
Mark A. (independent commentator)
ReplyDeleteYou are about as independent as a hog on ice.
Is politics about waiting in line or doing whats right? I mean, waiting for Joe boy to resign seems to be like watching paint dry... except in this case... while the roof caves in!
It really works both ways. I dont know the ins and outs of Danny and Fabian's trapicheo but what i do know is that at least in all this time Danny has served the community and the general scene in a more than positive fashion. Thats a fact!
Meanwhile Fabian is still waiting in the wings for a chance when Joe boy decides to draw the curtain like a beauty pageant contestant hoping to be crowned lol!
I do hope Fabian gets his chance because Joe boy should allow and should have started to allow a long long time ago the new generation to flourish in the best interests of Gibraltar, but then, have the best interests of Gibraltar ever been at the top of the list of the GSLPs agenda?? hmmm lets think historically.... ehhh nope!
First of all Ruth but not Truth you show very little respect for a man who has given his whole life to Gibraltar and it's people.
ReplyDeleteSecondly: If you are from the new generation and your idea of politics is the above, may god if there is any help us.
Thirdly : If you think a person if of an age to retire, only that fact is enough to talk about him or her with respect.
Politics is about having ideals, having principles, not wanting power at all cost and selling your soul on the way.
Politics like in every other field is about doing whats right. Or don't you think that doing whats right is the correct thing?
Politics may not be about waiting your turn, but it is about working towards your goal, gaining the respect of your people by sheer hard work, intelligence and guts.
This is certainly not gained by coming back from England and saying "vete y dejame el sitio a mi" sin mas ni mas.
In the GSLP DF got what he deserved, and FP will get what he deserves.
Memory.
Ruth Truth
ReplyDeleteI am independent in the sense that I have never belonged to any political party so I am free to praise or criticise, as need be.
At the moment I totally agree with the learned LlW - RV that we desperately need change to free us from Pete's autocratic rulership. However, I also agree that the other lot will have to be kicked out after four years if they don't deliver.
I don't support - and have never belonged to - any party but Gibraltar desperately needs a change of Government, just as the UK did until last month.
As an independent I am also free to criticise the politically-opportunistic Danny Feetham, who should have joined forces with Joe Bossano at the GSLP and helped him regain power GRADUALLY.
But no, he couldn't wait; Danny was too power-hungry and impatient. I feel sorry for the able Labour candidates who stood for election with Danny, only to be largely abandoned when he totally capitulated and joined his arch adversary, Pete.
Just shows that Danny cannot be trusted. All he wants is power but, having blown it, it looks like he's heading for opposition next year - if he stands at all, that is.
As far as I can see, most of them, including Max, were repulsed by the merger with the arch enemy that they had so severely criticised in many a press release and have returned to their natural home as GSLP voters.
Daniel should not be ostracised in this way - he is a good politician and minister for justice whether you all like it or not.
ReplyDeleteThis "ostracising" is Gibraltar's malignant political cancer and enough is enough - GSD or GSLP o la madres que give birth to them!
Hi All:
ReplyDeleteWhatever the history of DF, whatever happened between him and FP and the GSLP (if anything) DF is now the Justice Minister. In that Ministry he is doing his job, which is much more than most other Ministers can boast of. I do not intend to publish any further historical arguments.
Additionally, it is commendable that DF telephoned me, showed me the plans of the ne Court House, and came with me to the site and explained it all to me, yes, including the staircase. How many Ministers take that interest? NOT MANY, Thank you Danny.
Llanito World
ReplyDeleteDanny only called you after you exposed 'staircasegate' on your blog in a damage-limitation exercise. It would do nothing to repair the GSD's appalling track record on heritage.
Further, we all know that Ministers are not allowed to do anything of their own volition or initiative. They merely obey orders from above and woe betide anyone who tries to argue with Peter Caruana.
Danny somehow seems to have succeeded in pulling the wool over many people's eyes by leading them to believe that he has decided and achieved all these things when he has merely been implementing orders under strict instructions from above.
If he carries on trying to grab the media's attention like this and thereby to outshine Caruana he'll end up being punished, just as Fabian Vinet was punished for coming a close second to the Chief Minister in the polls and given the poisoned chalice of the housing portfolio.
Honney Bee says...
ReplyDeleteYes LW.. that DF took the time to call you and show you the plans on site is indeed commendable. But that does nothing to change the fact that had you been a baker instead of a lawyer you (and we) would have been none the wiser as to the plans. I ask .. what is transparent about a planning system to which Govt projects are not submitted, and even if they were the commission that decides what goes ahead - get to sit behind closed doors in secrecy. I`d like to know when the govt intends to have a public gallery ???
Absolute nonsense, M.A.!
ReplyDeleteLW Did DF tell you whether the Angry Friar appears in his plans?
ReplyDeleteMark sorry to tell you again mate but you have a serious obsession with DF. Its a bit scarry.
ReplyDeleteI have read this blog for the first time tonight and it seems to me that none of you are interested in what's right or wrong. You all seem to have an ulterior motive other than freedom of speech. Whether you are GSLP, GSD, PDP or simply as one of you calls him/herself “Mark A, Independent Commentator” (as if).
ReplyDeleteM J. Bossano did some good things like he also did some bad and he was castigated for the bad ones. He also left the party he belonged to start the GSLP (actually the LP came later) so what!
Mr D. Feetam is doing what he was elected to do and according to most of the lawyers I have spoken to he is doing a good job. So what if he left the GSLP to join the GSD. I am a Tax payer and Mr D. Feetam is doing what I, and the rest of the electorate, expect a Government Minister to do.
To what’s her name” Truth” I say Peter Caruana may be a micro manager but that’s where the buck stops and you know how Llanitos like to point fingers. To say that he has to go because you personally don’t like him is beyond me. Gibraltar is very prosperous at the moment and for those of you who compare his situation with that of the Labour Government in the UK I say you need your heads tested just look at the debt Mr Brown left. Who else is out there that is clever enough, has the political acumen and strength of character to run Gibraltar?
You tell Rebbeca off for her blooper is beyond me, she showed concern for our heritage and that’s admirable. She jumped the gun slightly, but that just shows inexperience. I am sure she will survive.
Here’s one of my favourite posts
Written by Ano-nymous Planning Our Heritage ....
“Our 'Heritage' is an inheritance from past generations who cared for Gibraltar as a whole community at the time and in the future. not for the profit of a few sycophantic insiders.
We can look back with pride to those independent public spirited administrations in planning Gibraltar with such care and vision.”
Is this person for real? The reason some of these buildings exist today is because it was built by the people who colonised Gibraltar for so many years, and most of it wasn’t made available to Gibraltarians till recent times. When the handover started past generations knocked many of them down to make way for new buildings, they were all guilty AACR and GSLP so don’t come with this holier than though attitude it doesn’t wash. It’s just as well we didn’t have much money in those days otherwise there would not be much of our heritage left. Why do you think the Gibraltar Heritage Trust started?
To be blatantly honest I don’t think any previous Government has done more for our ‘Heritage’ than the current party in Government and you can take that to the bank.
Some of you say that you don’t belong to any party although I seriously doubt it. Your posts uncover your affiliation.
As for Mr R. Vazquez I don’t know “que bicho te pico” but I think the next Government should make you a QC.
Since the GSD has built such a nice prison why don’t they also supply the inmates with Tempur beds so they can be fully rested when they get out? Let’s make it easier for them, they need quality of life. Talk about wasted money there’s a good example but then again it must be an EU requirement in accordance with ‘Human Rights.’
The exorbitant cost of the Airport is a good one. Can any of you tell me how much an Airport should cost and how big it should be? I am sure no one in Government picked the size and cost from thin air and ended up with what we are getting. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of would be experts that suddenly appear in Gibraltar.
I have read this blog for the first time tonight and it seems to me that none of you are interested in what's right or wrong. You all seem to have an ulterior motive other than freedom of speech. Whether you are GSLP, GSD, PDP or simply as one of you calls him/herself “Mark A, Independent Commentator” (as if).
ReplyDeleteM J. Bossano did some good things like he also did some bad and he was castigated for the bad ones. He also left the party he belonged to start the GSLP (actually the LP came later) so what!
Mr D. Feetam is doing what he was elected to do and according to most of the lawyers I have spoken to he is doing a good job. So what if he left the GSLP to join the GSD. I am a Tax payer and Mr D. Feetam is doing what I, and the rest of the electorate, expect a Government Minister to do.
To what’s her name” Truth” I say Peter Caruana may be a micro manager but that’s where the buck stops and you know how Llanitos like to point fingers. To say that he has to go because you personally don’t like him is beyond me. Gibraltar is very prosperous at the moment and for those of you who compare his situation with that of the Labour Government in the UK I say you need your heads tested just look at the debt Mr Brown left. Who else is out there that is clever enough, has the political acumen and strength of character to run Gibraltar?
You tell Rebbeca off for her blooper is beyond me, she showed concern for our heritage and that’s admirable. She jumped the gun slightly, but that just shows inexperience. I am sure she will survive.
Here’s one of my favourite posts
Written by Ano-nymous Planning Our Heritage ....
“Our 'Heritage' is an inheritance from past generations who cared for Gibraltar as a whole community at the time and in the future. not for the profit of a few sycophantic insiders.
We can look back with pride to those independent public spirited administrations in planning Gibraltar with such care and vision.”
Is this person for real? The reason some of these buildings exist today is because it was built by the people who colonised Gibraltar for so many years, and most of it wasn’t made available to Gibraltarians till recent times. When the handover started past generations knocked many of them down to make way for new buildings, they were all guilty AACR and GSLP so don’t come with this holier than though attitude it doesn’t wash. It’s just as well we didn’t have much money in those days otherwise there would not be much of our heritage left. Why do you think the Gibraltar Heritage Trust started?
To be blatantly honest I don’t think any previous Government has done more for our ‘Heritage’ than the current party in Government and you can take that to the bank.
Some of you say that you don’t belong to any party although I seriously doubt it. Your posts uncover your affiliation.
As for Mr R. Vazquez I don’t know “que bicho te pico” but I think the next Government should make you a QC.
Since the GSD has built such a nice prison why don’t they also supply the inmates with Tempur beds so they can be fully rested when they get out? Let’s make it easier for them, they need quality of life. Talk about wasted money there’s a good example but then again it must be an EU requirement in accordance with ‘Human Rights.’
The exorbitant cost of the Airport is a good one. Can any of you tell me how much an Airport should cost and how big it should be? I am sure no one in Government picked the size and cost from thin air and ended up with what we are getting. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of would be experts that suddenly appear in Gibraltar.
You seem to be one of those 'experts' out of wherever....maybe the woodwork....you complain so bitterly about.
ReplyDeleteWe debate. So do not pontificate upon us.
You can Carry-On voting for Caruana. None of us really mind.
Freddy Crouger
ReplyDeleteYou said: "As for Mr R. Vazquez I don’t know “que bicho te pico” but I think the next Government should make you a QC."
It is not in the gift of any Government to make anyone a QC, as far as I am aware. I believe QCs are appointed by the Crown on the recommendation of the Governor as advised by the (independent) Judicial Service Commission.
Hi:
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is not in the gift of any government to make anyone a QC. Although the ability of a government to substantially influence appointments should not be discarded.
A person is not "made" by any accolades or initials behind his name. A person is who and what he is by dint of his own intelligence, knowledge, ability, make up and personality. A person is measured also by what he does to change and influence people, outcomes and situations. Any letters behind a name do not change or improve a person. What is much more important is being true to oneself, something that many do not learn or understand or perhaps just like to ignore for their own advantage.
Thank you to those who believe in my ability; appointment or non-appointment really makes little or no difference.
LWRV, you said: "The ability of a government to substantially influence appointments should not be discarded." QCs are appointed by the Crown on the advise of the Governor in consultation with the JSC. Surely the JSC is scrupulously independent and the Government would not go a million miles near it? Isn't that why Schofield was (ultimately) sacked? Because he dared to question whether there had been any Government interference with the independence of the judiciary (in matters relating to the CJ's budget)? Are you now questioning the independence of the JSC?
ReplyDeleteHi Mark A:
ReplyDeleteNo I do not question the independence of the JSC beyond the ability of the CM to appoint 2 members of it.
I question the unwritten and unseen influence of people that do NOT belong to the JSC to influence the decision.
Why have there not been any appointments in 8 years? If the JSC recommends and the Governor appoints is it simply that no one merits appointment? Answer that and you may get close to the truth.