Sunday 23 January 2011

Is "Reputation" What Gibraltar should be Selling?

On the 13th January 2011 the Guardian newspaper circulated within its pages The Report, a supplement featuring Gibraltar (http://www.the-report.net/features/gibraltar).  This report publicised that the brand for Gibraltar's Finance Centre is "Rock Solid".  The message communicated by this brand is that "reputation" is what Gibraltar sells and what sells Gibraltar.  This message was reinforced by The Report highlighting the Chief Minister's view that Gibraltar's main economic asset is its "reputation". 


There is no doubt that reputation is a very important factor taken into consideration by anybody  viewing Gibraltar as the jurisdiction of his choice for doing business in, from or with.  I am not sure about the wisdom of making this factor the central plank of a campaign to promote Gibraltar's Finance Centre.  Reputation should be a given.  Gibraltar has it already.  It should not be brought into question or spearhead any promotion.  A finance centre that does not have the necessary reputation will not be even on the starting block or in the consideration of any serious person. Using "reputation" as a unique selling point simply achieves equating the jurisdiction as a whole to its lowest common denominator on the scales applied to judge reputation.   The lowest common denominator is that entity that last gets into trouble.


 It is a given that massive effort is made to maintain reputation, as the Chief Minister put it:
"... people who want to come and do business in and with Gibraltar ... must instinctively appreciate that through our policies and actions, our regulatory regime, they will be coming to a place where their own corporate reputation will not be placed in jeopardy by association.  We have worked to limit access to our own markets to reputable, established companies that value this as much as we do."
But Gibraltar is not a corporation.  It is a jurisdiction with many distinct entities engaged in Finance Centre activities.   In a corporation there is direct and immediate control of all its component parts, employees and agents.  There are direct lines of communications and decisions funnel up to the senior employees, managers and boards.  Even then, things go wrong which have an adverse effect on a corporations reputation.  


In a jurisdiction "... policies and actions ..." and :... our regulatory regime ...", whilst significantly reducing risk, do not eliminate risk to reputation, nor do or can these factors impose the disciplines and controls that circumscribe and control activity within a corporation.  The chances of one individual entity (or a small number of entities) engaged within the field of financial services going wrong and so affecting reputation are much greater within a jurisdiction than within a corporation.  If reputation is made to be perceived as Gibraltar's main economic asset such failure of an individual entity has a greater chance of  impacting on the entire jurisdiction.  Avoiding such a view of Gibraltar  allows it to retain the ability and wherewithal to contain and limit the adverse effect of such individual failures, not that I fool myself that anyone getting into trouble has no adverse effect on Gibraltar.


On the 7th January 2011 in my piece "New Years Message" or "State of the Nation Speech?"  I wrote:
"The reality is that for Gibraltar to succeed economically, it has one valuable natural resource.  I call it leverage, fiscal leverage, jurisprudential leverage and regulatory leverage are examples.  Fiscal leverage is the ability to have a direct and indirect tax system that makes Gibraltar an attractive jurisdiction.  Jurisprudential leverage is ensuring appropriate laws to make Gibraltar an attractive jurisdiction.  Regulatory leverage is not having a less strict regulatory regime in all areas (including gaming) but having a fast, efficient and easily accessible system.  All these are always capable of improvement.  On the whole, the GSD government has got it right."


My list was not intended to be and is not exhaustive.  Gibraltar has more attributes and attractive features.  In the context of the Finance Centre, fiscal and jurisprudential factors are what any government of the day should be emphasising, as well as all the other attributes that Gibraltar has.  It is then for each individual entity to be convincing of and sell its individual abilities and reputations, which is what can be reinforced and supervised by what the Chief Minister has referred to as being policies and regulation.

91 comments:

  1. Fred says:

    I agree with whay you say. To have lumped our collective reputations together sort of sets us up for a fall, particularly when we all know that there are ongoing investigations in relation to certain players in Gibraltar's financial services.

    To my mind, it would have been better to highlight the sterling reputation of some of our individuals, and indeed the measures you identify that government has put in place - th ething should have been left to speak for itself.

    What would be really interesting to know is why the Guardian was chosen as when Blair and Hains tried to shove joint-sovereignty down our throats the Guardian was an avid cheerleader and published less than complementary articles about us.

    Also, who is going the PR advice? Is it Mr Golt? And, how much did this propaganda piece cost?

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  2. Having read the report in detail I felt it was "Nuevo rich"...... If we believe we are a successful jurisdiction and enjoy a good reputation we should NOT blow the trumpet the way we do,I believe it is counter productive....y lo de Los CEO's mas de lo mismo.......

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  3. Anon 14:27. We do not blow our trumpet at all. The G is one of possibly two or three reports by media in so many years. The success of our centre lies not on blown up marketing but serious and genuine referal supported by a great many successful private individuals organisations able to freely push boundaries thanks to an open and forward thinking Govt.

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  4. If we have good Reputation we should not sell ourselves they way we do..... I believe finance centres should be discrete. To show off what we are will be read internationally as a small place wanting to be recognised...... Not exactly the message we should send.....

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  5. What a crock of sh*te. Yes we should sell our services telepathically! There is no winning with some people. Pero aqui que pasa joder!

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  6. Yes the Guardian was anti Gibraltar at the time of the joint sovereignty fiasco and long before some of its comments about Gibraltarians were highly insulting. However, perhaps knowing us better and feeling the warmth of our money might change that in the future so it may be an astute move. At the Gibraltar day in London dinner Caruana made it clear that regulation would be strong and that business was good and that Gibraltar did not need dodgy operators. In financial services and online betting and gaming, reputation and regulation is the cornerstone of the operations and those both important for the future of Gibraltar. Other earners rely on price and availability.

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  7. Anonymous at 15:19

    You should read more carefully. No one says we should not sell ourselves. What is in debate is the manner in which we should do so. If you have something constructive to say on that say it.

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  8. Crock.... I have never seen far bigger and far more successful finance centres sell themselves the way we do.... We might think in little Gibraltar that we are big and the centre of the world.... But don't expect big capitals and big organisations to believe us in the international press.... That's what I am revering to..... I agree we should Market ourselves, but not in this arrogant way....we a big fish in a small pond.... when we depend on these big centres and organisations humble is far more effective....

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  9. Tu que esta en serio? Dubai, Qatar and many other up coming finance centres spend Billions on marketing. In Gib we have never thrown the baby out with the bath water and the report on the G was one of very few ever such reports. It was specifically done to publicise our entrance into an onshore world. Our finance centre has never acted in the way you suggest. You are barking up the wrong tree here. Oh and using the word arrogant in your description is a feeble attempt at tarnishing your delusional impressions on Caruana which I can only assume is what you are leading to.

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  10. Robert, definitely marketing is important, but simply do not agree with the way GOG have done it this time. The campaign was to impress, could it be electorally motivated ? Who knows.... Clearly big organisations don't take decisions on what they read in the newspaper, y menos el Guardian...si me dices The Economist, Bloomberg, Reuters....vale...

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  11. anonymous at 16:29

    I agree that is precisely what I am arguing.

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  12. Dubai o Qatar .......I would like to compare Gibraltar to other serious EU centres, Luxemberg, etc.... We are probably thinking of attracting different clients....

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  13. I think we have done exceptionally well in attracting the blue chip organisations that are currently based in Gib already, as well as private individuals and others who have learned of Gib by word of mouth and reputation. Again you bark up the wrong tree and try and discredit a centre in which we all participate in and which bares no resemblance to that which u are trying to taint us with. What is your agenda here?

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  14. Who is tainting what and how?

    I do not think anyone has been critical of anything beyond discussing the wisdom of selling reputation as an economic asset.

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  15. Apparently LW your anon blogger seems to think that we are not a serious enough outfit and our feature in The G is tainting us with a reputation as a non serious centre. I totally disagree with this view. It could be further from the truth.

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  16. Anonymous at 16:57

    Oh I see. It was not clear who you were replying to. Thanks for the clarification.

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  17. Anon 16:48

    Bark up the wrong tree?? Discredit? I see you have not got the gist of things.

    In layman’s terms what Robert is trying to tell us (at least in my opinion) is the following:
    Gibraltar already is a reputable and established finance jurisdiction therefore there is no need to market ourselves aggressively. As one LLW blogger once told me “What we need in this here 2 horse chicken shit town is people with manners and humility que no somos nadie cojones”. LOL!!
    And 2…
    All our eggs should not be placed in ONE BASKET for obvious reasons. Becoming TOO dependable on a specific sector could prove to be perilous, especially when one considers the fickleness of the private industry.

    K

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  18. Kaelan

    What I am saying is that Gibraltar as a jurisdiction should market what it offers not "reputation" as an economic asset. We have the required "reputation" otherwise we would be nowhere. If we sell "reputation" we can be hoist on our own petard if the "reputation" of any single component member of the Finance Centre suffers a serious blow.

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  19. Robert, obviously anon bloggers can't have a mature debate on the matter. Of course we are a serious centre with it's pro and cons. (marrache, madoff etc...) I understand that this is not the debate....anyway...me rindo.....

    I wish next time menos blowing the trumpet which is neither here or there and more facts that are of real interest to players.....and ideally in truly global press...economist, FT etc.....

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  20. Kaelan.... Totally agree with you....y mas a hora con Los dos o tres fados que hay.......

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  21. Yes Iand I wish I had a Ferrari.

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  22. Marketing agencies believe that in times of crisis companies have to be very careful and sensitive in how they promote their company....
    UK press is constantly talking about pension cuts, budget cuts, bad debts etc..... And here we go in a Leading UK press showing off how good we are because we have low tax rates and tax structures to avoid UK tax.... Que listo so it is good to be mower discrete and get on with our work... Yes of course we are a good and solid small finance centre.... Who doubts that....

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  23. K is now resorting to telling us what he thinks Robert is trying to tell us. It's like the blind leading the blind. This is beyond a joke. At least he agrees that we are reputable.

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  24. Anonymous at 17:58

    How kind, labeling me blind! ... and Kaelan too ... so having opinions and debating them is being blind ... oh dear!

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  25. This is getting ridiculous. Anon 17:58 (1st) what on earth are you talking about. Are you guys that desperate that you need to drag the success your own economy down to a level which affords you the basis on which to attack anything that this Govt does. Can you really be that arrogant.

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  26. I do not think the battle on reputation has yet been won. Last August "Panorama" reprinted an amusing article written by a Mr. Eric Ellis for "Euromoney." Among what he wrote was this pearl: "Doing the rounds of (Gibraltar's) tight knit financial community, a visitor repeatedly encounters the same faces, nodding on multiple viewings of old chums. You'll spot the regulator you just saw in his office later sipping a smoothie...gossiping with the banker you saw just before him". Gibraltar needs to do better at maintaining clear boundaries between officialdom and private business. A salutary example is to be had from the collapse of the Irish financial system blamed by some on undue cosiness between the regulators and the bankers in the golf courses, juice bars and elsewhere.

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  27. Anonymous at 18:14

    But anonymous at 17:58 (1st) does have a point and I do not think he makes it in the manner that you attribute to him. Why don't you marshall decent arguments to contradict his view? Denigrating him really does not get you anywhere especially if in doing so you come across as a GSD supporter ... that has a further detrimental affect on the GSD itself.

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  28. Well maybe not you Robert but your 20/20 vision on this one is yet again sided toward an attack on Govt. you really ought to find another issue to address cause youll end up confusing the GSLP crew. They are unsure how to spin this. Opinions are good, are you suggesting that mine is not applicable because I do not agree with K and find his opinion and others, weighted only to discredit Govt and with no responsibility and with about as much gravitas in the argument to make a sinking ship float.
    Your a clever guy Robert, and you make valid points, but what is this crusade you are on to attack every fibre of a Govt that has taken us to a completely different level?

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  29. Charles, exactly.....authorities are too close to the sector and that is not good...it could concern investors.....

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  30. Talking about reputation, A few people have too much power in this little Gibraltar of ours.... And I am not taking of the GOG exclusively....but then probably thats the norm elsewhere....the world in which we live ! Robert although you are impartial you do touch on matters that people prefer you didn't...... So what now is this the end of your blog ??? Hope not.

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  31. Anonymous at 18:28

    It is not an attack on Government, it is the expression of a validly held opinion about how Gibraltar should and should not be marketed. There is no scientific answer. Why are you so sensitive? Do not attribute to me the views of other commentators. I rarely agree with their views but acknowledge their right to hold and express them.

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  32. Anon 18:28 says, noted Robert.

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  33. Anon 17:45
    Thank's :)

    Anon 17:58
    I shall not judge your comments; I will leave that up to the other LLW bloggers. I respect your right to an opinion. :)

    Anon 18:28
    I believe credit should ONLY be given where credit is due. If the current Government were to change their ways and tackle the issues at hand I would cease to comment negatively. At the last elections I voted for some GSD candidates. Furthermore I have stated this on LLW before, yet 4 years is a long time in the world of politics. Power has a way of changing people and even those with the best of intentions can lose their way. Maybe my intentions are not as obvious as they seem to be……


    K

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  34. Ka I note a hint if change on your tune. Are we to assume that your furious anti Govt line is softening? That really would be something. Although where dies that leave Fab?

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  35. Prompted by your blog I have read the report and haven't seen how bloggers can claim that the report was way over the top. Having said this, their are a number of very interesting comments that are worth noting, particulary the one by CG. Euromoney is unfortunately far closer to our potential clients than Guardian. Hope next time we promote our finance centre in the right press....

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  36. Not for the first time Charles Gomez hits the nail on the head. The old boy network is too obvious in Gib and many overseas investors see this as sign of lax attitudes and even possible impropriety [no doubt unfairly]. Of course, if these investors need a permission, licence or something of that kind they will pay lip service to whomever may be necessary but I know first hand that they do not respect. That perception of lack of gravitas on the part of senior people in Gib reflects badly.

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  37. Anon 19:22

    I have always sang the same tune. It is your perception of it that has changed.

    Going head to head with the GSD sycophants has prompted me to post aggressively out of necessity rather than choice. Sometimes the best form of defense is offense.
    I have opted to express my opinions and highlight certain flaws relating to the way our current Government runs our affairs. People have then seen it fit to question my identity, bombard me with insults and discredit my postings whilst failing to produce any adequate counter arguments. Yet during all this time no one actually stopped to think that I had no hidden agenda or was not part of the opposition network. Just a humble Gibraltarian genuinely concerned with the way things are being run. Instead they just assumed I MUST be a GSLP aficionado with underlying motives. I was saddened to see this. Not ANGRY but sad. What Gibraltar do we live in? When the moment a person attempts to openly express himself, he is then attacked, ridiculed and branded for it. The word democratic deficit does come to mind. Sad times indeed.

    K

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  38. I think most people know how the 'cookie crumbles' and who does the crumbling.

    I agree with you R. si cae una compaƱƭa o empresa, que pasa?, que todos nos vamos a pique? I don't think so! that indeed is bad for reputation.

    PRC if he's had anything to do with the article, ha metido la pata.

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  39. Francis, if another law firm ran into problems gib plc would survive but as u say the effects would be big....and we don't need that. Solution is for firms to grow at a pace that ensures longterm stability and avoid problems. Surely their are good examples of this philosophy in Gibraltar, I hope.

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  40. reputation is like virginity...one prick and its gone...and it matters little who the prick is!

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  41. catch the Chief Minister's drift now?

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  42. Are rumours of RV standing for election as an independent or even with the PDP true? Surely not.

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  43. Anonymous at 11:31

    No rumours unles you are starting one. I have no present intentions on this front.

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  44. Talking about reputation, how will players view the fact that a board member of the FSC has resigned because he has a blog.....what message does that give international players that depend on fair play.... Or you keep quiet or you have no place in this jurisdiction ! A few people have too much power in this little Gibraltar of ours.... And I am not taking of the GOG exclusively....but then probably thats the norm elsewhere....the world in which we live ! Robert although you are impartial you do touch on matters that people prefer you didn't...... So what now is this the end of your blog ??? Hope not.

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  45. I read in the panorama that the FSC members are Marcus Killick (Chief Executive), accountant Joseph Caruana, banker Franco Cassar, lawyer Nigel Feetham, lawyer Robert Vasquez (who has now resigned) and Brian Hilton (Chairman), John Tattersall and Alan] Whiting.Only 3 of the 8 are Gibraltarians so I am shocked that the FSC should take any position which could be seen as political and I look forward to hearing Robert Vasquez version of the story that has broken in the media. If he has been pressurised because of Llanito World I think that the whole FSC must apologise and resign - in Gibraltar we do not like victimisation on account of the exercise of democratic rights. Just as concerning is several of the members are employees of bodies which the FSC is meant to regulate and others are advisers to such bodies. Surely lawyers and accountants can be found who are not so closely connected to the bodies that the FSC is meant to regulate.

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  46. Anon 11:36

    Maybe Mr. Gomez can shed further light on these issues? In his 2007 manifesto he quotes the following "politics has become a circus - to distract the people whilst Gibraltar is sold off cheap to a very small group of shrewd businessmen (the same people who always win at your expense)." This seems to hint that Mr. Gomez is (as you are) concerned with the fact that Gibraltar is run by a select few. Would Mr. Gomez care to elaborate? I would be grateful.

    K

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  47. I also would like to know what Charles thinks now 3 years after the election which he contested. In 2007 I was surprised at how plainly he spoke about how he saw Gibraltar politics being controlled by narrow commercial interests. He accused all the main parties of being linked to those interests. It is some time since he last made any major political statement, is this because he is now happy at the way Gibraltar is run, I hope not!. I have often thought how different this boring legislature would have been if Charles had been elected.

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  48. 3 out of 8 are Gibraltarians? Marcus Killick CEO is exemplary in his role regardless of his nationality. He also contributes hugely to the economy in his own way.

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  49. Anonymous at 12:01

    The composition of the FSC is governed by the governing Act, which dictates certain members should be from elsewhere. On the issue that some Commission Members are involved with regulated entities, this will be inevitable. The procedures are also governed in the Act. Conflicts of interests are declared and appropriately managed. The FSC cannot be criticised on this ground.

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  50. Anonymous at 14:52

    Thank you but I do not believe there is any criticism of Marcus Killick levied in the comment that you refer to. As to the issue of nationality see my reply to anonymous at 12:01 above.

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  51. anon 14.52;It is great to hear that the CEO of the FSC "contributes hugely to the economy in his own way" but can you be more specific? Also Robert at 15.24 I am not sure why the regulated should be members of the Regulator. Can you clarify that please? Many of us have very little knowledge of the Finance Centre and this blog helps us understand better one of the main pilars of our national economy.

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  52. Anonymous at 16:49

    Ideally you are right but it is impossible to find persons with the necessary knowledge/experience otherwise. That is why the system for declarations of interests and conflicts exists and works. Also please remember that all licensing, supervisory and regulatory functions are carried out by the full time employed executive arm of the FSC and not the board who has oversight of the executive (but not its decisions) and deals with higher level policies and issues.

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  53. In answer to Mr. Joyce's post at 13.30: Your quotation from my 2007 General Election manifesto is accurate, thank you. I campaigned on that issue till hoarse and almost blue in the face and was rewarded with the votes of 1,210 of our fellow citizens out of the electorate of 16,004 but alas that was not enough to get me into Parliament. Out of deference to all those Opposition members who were elected and have been drawing their parliamentary salaries since November 2007 and those who intend to stand at the next election, I think that we should leave it to them to tell us whether they think that business and politics are too close to each other in this great City of ours. Also thanks to anonymous at 14.30 for his very kind words.

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  54. Thank you for finding the time to respond to my posting Charles.

    I do ponder, have you and Robert ever thought about going "at it" together? Surely a formidable duo, which I believe would be able to snatch enough votes to get into Parliament. Then things would get very interesting....

    Ps - the use of the word "snatch" was Intentional :)

    K

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  55. To Anon 17:42 and 16:29 and of course to all others who have not see this.

    There was a 4 page spread Special Report on the Financial Times on Monday October 18th 2010. Also online see link below.

    http://www.ft.com/reports/gibraltar-
    finance-2010

    You can see it as pdf too, to the right of the picture.

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  56. Nice idea Kaelan but I think that Robert and Charles have very different ideologies. Robert is a liberal and from what I have seen Charles is n't. Also, Robert is an establishment guy (partner in Triay & Triay etc) and Charles is a self made guy who runs his own law practice and is known as a maverick. Having said that they were both in the No Campaign on the 2006 referendum. I believe that RV was the chairman and CG went on radio and TV for the campaign. I do not know how they get on personally.

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  57. Anonymous at 22:32

    You read this blog and still class me as "establishment"? WOW! I think I am rather left of liberal.

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  58. Anon 22:32

    Something tells me their ideologies are not as different as you think them to be.

    Furthermore desperate times may indeed call for desperate measures! I am postive common ground could be found if desired by both.

    K

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  59. I see that Kaelan likes the word "snatch" maybe that should be his professional nickname: "Snatch" Joyce; catchy, eh? But to business: one of the things that concerns me about Kaelan's suggestion that old lefties like Robert and "mavericks" such I am said to be, should throw our hats into the Electoral ring is that it lets the opposition parties off the hook. It is as if we would be expected to delve into areas which the professional opposition guys are too "shy" (or is it scared, and if so what are they scared of?) to articulate.

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  60. K are u really suggesting that there is margin for a Monster Raving Loony Party in Gib?...;)

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  61. Ya lo que faltba, el Kafab is now the unoffical Llanito World spin doctor. he simplifies the content for the masses..


    Kafabquez perhaps??

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  62. Roelan Picasquez calling: What are you talkin about? The Monster Raving Loony Party HAS been in power in Gibraltar since 1996 when it took over from Groucho & his brothers :( Come back J.J. Bossano all is forgiven:))

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  63. Charles I highlighted the use of the word "Snatch", because I believe it hard in this Gibraltar of ours for individual candidates to succeed (due to the common block voting mentallity we adhere to) that is all. :)

    Anon and Rompe...LOL

    I am not suggesting anything such, just thinking out loud as one would say. ;)

    K

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  64. I agree with Kaelan the Snatch, the block voting system allows nincumpoops to enter Parliament and prevents quality people from being elected - not all the MPs are mantas mojas but why should the nincumpoops among them want to change a system like that?????????????????

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  65. Having voted at elections since about 1972 I can say that the opposition in 2011 is the deadest ever. Kaelan is right to look for people from outside the arid GSLP to stand for Parliament but the maths are stacked up against independent candidates. With a General Elaction this year it is too late for a new party to be set up. My advice is for Keith Azopardi to bring back Marilou Guerrero and to talk to Joe Garcia's liberals, Charlie Gomez and Robert Vasquez.

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  66. It is very disheartening to see the Opposition's delay in establishing a clear leadership. If the GSD decides to call an early election - something they are entitled to do as it is not their job to wait upon the Opposition to finalise their internal organisation - the Opposition will be caught on the hop and this is detrimental to the worth of the election as the field is weakened even before campaigning begins. That an election would be happening in 2011 is hardly a surprise and it is disturbing that the GSLP, however democratically it runs itself, has taken this long to finalise their leadership status.
    If only on these grounds I have to agree with those that believe that the Opposition doesn't seem particularly driven in their quest for government.

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  67. Ben Ali: Face it comrades, the GSLP has lost the will to win. Fabian etc estan haciendo el papel nada mas y no estan interesados en ganar. Es verdaderamente triste ver como el partido se apaga. Al Monster Loony Party y Screaming Lord Caruana lo tenemeos hasta cuando menos el 2015.

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  68. Quiet Observer 12:45

    Unfortunately I will have to agree with you on that one.

    Personally I have been left frustrated and confused by the opposition’s seamless lack of drive. I keep asking myself “cuando se van move?” I have even thought of the unthinkable! Do they really want to win? We all know Bossano\Picardo do but do the others REALLY want to win? Or are they happy to just “tag along”?

    As it now stands the GSD clearly wants it more, whether they deserve it or not is another matter altogether. But as one of my comprehensive art teachers would fondly tell me (I was Sh*t at art lol ) sometimes it’s the EFFORT that counts. The GSLP/Lib’s better do something and quick, the CM’s “Seville “screw up” will definitely get them some votes but one wonders if it will indeed be enough.

    As Elvis would say "Its now or never" LOL

    K

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  69. Totally disagree with anon 12.45
    We have discussed democratic deficit a great deal here in this blog. The opposition is currently readjusting itself to be in a position to govern Gib the way it deserves to be governed. For this the GSLP party will take the time and go through the democratic process to choose its leader. The labour party took nearly 10months to sort its life out and then chose Ed Miliband. As to an early election this will not happen since Caruana is preparing his goodies ie budget time which is in June. projects will have to be near completion such as the europa point, mid harbour housing, etc. I see that many bloggers obviously GSD sychophants want the issue of the opposition to be kept alive for their own interest which is to defend the GSD's inert way in which they are currently running Gib.
    So lets look at the GSD who will be in the line up once Britto goes and maybe Delagua? Who will replace Caruana in the GSD? will the GSD continue after Caruana? Lets also analyse the candidates are chosen in the GSD. By dedocracia ie Caruana pointing his finger at someone like he did with Montiel and Reyes.

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  70. Anon at 13:33...The GSLP Have had 14 YEARS to readjust themselves!!

    not good enough mate im afraid, no one has grabbed the bull by the horns!

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  71. in the last elections, the GSLP was so well organised, the GSD had to jump up and do somersaults at the eleventh hour to snatch (word of the blog lol) the election-win from them.

    Perhaps its best the if the GSLP don't look as 'together' as we'd like them to, so early in the year, plenty of time to go yet...

    Anon at 13.33... only Britto and Delagua? What about Montiel, Vinent and Feetham? word has it, they are on their way out to!

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  72. Anon @12.45

    With all due respect ..I think you`re missing the point here. The issue at hand is not about how long a party takes to `sort itself out`, it`s about whether the leadership limbo the alliance locally is now in, is ever going to get sorted.

    One BIG difference between leadership elections locally and in the UK - Ed Miliband was elected on the back of Gordon Browns resignation AFTER having lost a Gen Election AND whilst it may have taken nearly 10 months to get there, Labour had a new leader within a year of having lost. The party now has a fresh start with this new leader which is more than we can say for the alliance here in GIb.

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  73. Please let's not compare the abilities of the GSLP against that if the GSD, collectively, on leaders or any other way. There is absolutely nothing that the GSLP has shown in 15 years of opposition that generates any confidence at all. their position is to argue that it's time for a change because the GSD has been in too long. They have absolutely nothing to offer at this stage and having an opposition that hardly scratches the surface on real issues, back tracks on fundamental matters and offers a leadership of failed elections is arguably the mother of all democratic deficits. Gibraltarians, democracy and the GSD need a real opposition.

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  74. Anon 17:27

    I beg to differ.

    I believe the opposition have ALOT to offer, but need to get it together!

    As for real opposition for the GSD, becareful what you wish for, it just MIGHT come true....

    K

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  75. It is good to see that you are trying as usual to divert the attention towards the opposition.
    Yet no word of the state of the GSD. Who will be in the line up? What will happen to the GSD after Caruana?

    Anon 16:40 Yes, the leadership will be sorted and I was using the labour party's experience as an example of the process that went on though point taken on the issue of Brown's resignation.

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  76. Has n't it occured to Kaelan Joyce that several people in parliament might be there for the salaries. In opposition you don't even need to do anything for your salary and you get to travel all over the world at taxpayers expense to attend Commonwealth meetings. You also get to be called honourable and HE invites you to the Garden party. I too have come to the conclusion that the GSLP does not want to win the next election but unlike Kaelan I do not think that Joe (who is well past retirement age) or Fabian(who has a very very very busy legal practice within Hassans) want to be in governmemnt either.

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  77. Energy policy (or lack of it), of existing and past governments, is certainly giving Gibraltar a nice reputation to potential future inward investors.

    We have shirked this issue for too long now. The problems of our power supply must now be addressed as a matter of urgency above all other issues. Enough is enough.

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  78. anon 1737 you say
    "There is absolutely nothing that the GSLP has shown in 15 years of opposition that generates any confidence at all."
    So can you explain what is meant by that. A sweeping statement that has no substance.
    I presume you are one that criticise the opposition for putting too many questions in parliament, or that all they do is complain at everything that the Government does, etc. Like I have said before damned if they do damned if they don't.
    Why is it that these people do not looked at the GSD government and also see their failing which are lots.

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  79. To Anon 13:33 I would say that the reply posted by Anon 16:40 contained pretty much my thoughts to your post.
    The Labour Party lost the election and went into its own leadership election and now Milliband has 3 years to exert his influence and establish his direction for the party. The problem in Gib is that the GSLP will have (theoretically but not yet guaranteed) a new leader with very little time to do the same with his party. Whether Mr Picardo or any other member take over is a problem in that the core GSLP voters will still vote for the party but the swing of "undecideds" will have very little time to gauge the character and mettle of a new leader and so make a choice with which they're comfortable. It is this potential "rush" towards a new leader on the eve of an election which, as an alliance voter leaves me worried. To effect change in government the Alliance needs those undecideds to move towards them decisively.

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  80. Have you checked these numbers !!!! Aqui que pasa tio, this blog is on a different level man. Interesting how numbers up it's become a more balanced playing field. No longer same old GSLP groupies. Suddenly we have opinions and an increasing public opinion which indicates that the GSLP are not just out of touch, but have also robbed us of an opposition fair and square in which a loss represents a fresh change of leadership. These 4 losses will do nothing for El niƱo picardo who is already tainted with the GSLPs arrogance.

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  81. I have to say that I do not think that the Alliance have done nothing while in Opposition. They've criticised when they've felt they had to and attempted through questions in Parliament etc to bring forward what they have perceived as discrepancies or cloudy issues. My concern is what I have stated earlier. It seems incredible that this leadership situation was not decided upon within the GSLP this time last year which would have given the new leader time to establish himself and formulate policy.
    I would like to refer to a point made earlier by Kaelan who commented that Bossano/Picardo are the ones who are known to want to win the election. However, it has been Mr Bossano who had it in his power to make this leadership election have taken place last year and he didn't do so. And Mr Picardo, a shrewd observer of local politics, must have known that for an election to be won by his party absolutely required a change in leadership but has in no way pushed his party to effect a more proactive stance on this matter.
    I just find it difficult to marry these 2 diametrically opposing positions: the will to win v. the actions taken.

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  82. Anon 20:43 Surely you mean "no longer same old GSLP" and GSD "groupies" ? Let's get the balance right, eh?

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  83. It is obvious that the last few post are trying very very hard to divert the attention by having a go at the opposition.
    Fine but let everyone know that in Government we have 10 Ministers and only one takes decisions. What about the other nine Pagas mierdas, and they also get the same from parliament as the opposition and also travel to commonwealth conferences paid by the taxpayer and on top of that wage they get a further salary which together is well over £80,000 a year.
    rest my case "for now"

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  84. Robert

    You have shown many that you have both the conviction and the courage to stand up and be countered when others hides behind the veil provided by this blog. It is reassuring to hear you on newswatch that you have sacrificed your seat at the Board of the FSC to retain your most basic constitutional right, the right to free speech.

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  85. Agreed, and what are the ideological differences within the Alliance? Where does the GSLP end and the Liberals start, and vice versa? Will they each be fielding their own teams with their own manifestos, as you'd expect from two parties anywhere else in the modern world? No, because they cannot find enough candidates who believe in one or the other's ideologies (if they have them?) and therefore have put together a mish mash of candidates just to be contrary and not useful to anyone.

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  86. Anon 20:43

    GSLP groupies?? PLEASE!!

    This blog has been predominantly inhabited by GSD sycophants. Who refuse to accept anything other than what they are fed by the GSD propaganda machine.

    A petty dislike of mine that is, people who won't think for themselves.

    Have you not noticed the patter?n You ALL keep repeating the SAME thing??? Its like listening to the same recording over and over again.

    4 election losses, 15 years in opposition yet nothing to offer, kafab, ninio picardo. 4 election losses, 15 years in opposition yet nothing to offer, kafab, ninio picardo......

    Can you not come up with something different or relatively constructive?? Instead of constantly attacking the GSLP/Lib's why not start by stating what the GSD has done RIGHT during their 4 terms in power? Let's try and be objective. Can’t you see that your incessant attack of the opposition is being counterproductive?? Which leads to la pregunta del “million”, does anyone actually know why they so staunchly support the GSD?

    K

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  87. Anon 19:28

    Sorry just seen your post to which I will reply...

    YOU said it and NOT me :)

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  88. K if you cannot appreciate what the GSD has done in it's 15 years of leadership you never will. In short we collectively have a safe, economically successful, socially progressive, politically secure, community with the lowest unemployment in Europe, with no repossessions, no poverty, low crime, leaders in gaming, innovative with respect to our economy, highly educated, punching above our weight in sports, culture, charity......Christ man, what more do you want?

    Actually, I tell you what I want, an OPPOSITION that can create thought proactively and is accountable to us, and not so obsessed and arrogant that all they seem to be capable of is criticism of a nature that has no place in a democracy. You almost get the impression that they are willing our economy to die, for projects to fail! Much like the buses, the port, the economy, the airport, the constitution !

    We have an opposition that has absolutely no self belief in Gib. Why? Because it's seems to be the only strategy they have to scaremonger us all into voting for them. They have done this for 15 yrs and in that time all that is proven is that they're wrong, except for one thing, Caruana is indeed arrogant.

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  89. Anon 10:31

    Please do not put words in my mouth or more accurately strokes on my keyboard.

    I never stated I did not appreciate what the GSD Government had done for us, as that I do. I merely suggested someone should LIST these factors rather than resort to constantly bashing the oppostion.

    Alot of the arguments on LLW have revolved around subjective rather than objective thinking. I was trying to get my point across accordingly. That being that we can be cordial during our discussions. Hurling abuse at each other and the respective parties we support will only get us so far. I know this from personal experience because I to have stooped down to levels I should not have in the past.


    K

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  90. to Anon 22:56
    I believe that it would have been better and more honest from the Lib/Dems in the UK to have joined before the elections and have stood together on one manifestothan to do what they are doing today. Before the election the Lib/Dems promised or made pledges to abolish tuition fees for students. What have they done allowed the Tories to increase them and to abolish the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) which they said would continue. Now that a con and you are advocating the GSLP/libs to do the same!!
    The GSLP/Libs although two distinct parties stand on one slate and one manifesto which is jointly agreed. And you know that but trying to stur it up.

    By the way in relation to ideology I wonder what the GSD stand for when you have Jaime Netto who use to be a Marxist/Leninist and Peter Caruana who is more conservative than any right wing tory in Bristish History!!
    But againyou bash the oppositionand you do not have the political courage to bash the GSD......

    As to anon 10:31
    SCAREMONGERING?!?
    The masters of this tactic is the GSD and Caruana who constantly continue to mention the past in order to give the complete and erroneous impression that WHEN the GSLP/LIbs get into power we are going to the Launch activities, etc. A lot of copwallup!!!

    On that note the one who has courage and has demonstrated it, has been Robert Vasquez who will stand and be counted. But Robert I believe that you should have probably stayed a while longer so as to have been in a position to make the arguments you are making now to which I also subscribe to Freedom of Speech, etc, inside the commission board. It would have further exposed the move that seems to be at hand and has been around for a long time.
    This is the same as happened to the civil service with the infamous letter circulated to curtail them from having Freedom of Speech.
    Anyways a tenido un par!!!

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  91. Anon 15:15

    Now THAT was a response with some REAL substance. I must say I haven't seen many of those from the GSD fraction......

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