Wednesday 6 April 2011

Electoral Reform - Another Core Principle Explained


Gibraltar suffers a democratic deficit in part because no MP directly represents constituents in Parliament. MPs are elected by the entirety of the electorate and become either Ministers or sit on the Opposition benches. There is no individual MP that constituents can call their particular representative to help them fight political battles. Presently, the system works haphazardly; constituents simply have to resort to seeking help from an MP who either they know or is a friend of a friend. The immediacy and responsibility of direct representation is lost.

The particular issue of direct representation will be resolved by increasing the size of Parliament from 17 to 25 MPs by creating 8 electoral districts. The constituents of each individual district will elect an MP to represent them by a simple majority on a first past the post basis.  Finding candidates for this type of district election will be an easier task. It will also encourage more independents to stand.

MPs elected to represent a district will be obliged to hold a minimum once weekly district clinic for at least 3 hours in the evening. The purpose of such a clinic will be to listen to and assist on any issues affecting his/her district or constituents in his/her district

The entire electorate of Gibraltar using a single transferable vote system or other proportional representation system, as may be chosen on advice from the Electoral Reform Society, will elect the balance of 17 MPs that make up the total of 25. Only these 17 MPs will be eligible to be Ministers and form part of the executive arm of government.

All MPs, however elected will enjoy equal standing, have an equal vote in and benefit from all the privileges of Parliament. The party or grouping having the support of the greatest number of MPs will form government and choose its Ministers from those who are eligible.

The proposal is to enact all necessary legislation to redress this aspect of the democratic deficit by electoral reforms in as good a time as circumstances and support in Parliament permits. 


82 comments:

  1. http://www.tv3.cat/videos/3456990/Caruana-defensa-el-dret-a-lautodeterminacio-com-la-solucio-per-a-Gibraltar

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  2. Robert how much would this cost?!?!? Of the current members of Parliament 50% are bare faced pagas muertas. Many of the others do the bare minimum. Ministers are able to count on our bloated civil service to give them support and information but in the opposition (not just now but always) MPs are badly prepared and produce very little. At best they pick on an easy hobby horse like the Theatre Royal or the size of buses or fishing and work in ever decreasing circles. When the GSD were in opposition they were the same they bleated ad nauseam about how unfair it was to charge landlords for rate arrears left by tenants or directors for unpaid company tax. No, sorry Robert I think we ned to aspire to quality not quantity.

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  3. funny that, Selwyn has also posted the same link on facebook as anon @01:58! lol

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  4. The proposal put forward by Robert will introduce a wave of needed reform to our Parliamentary system. There is an evermore pressing need for electoral reform.Gibraltar is suffering to the point of stagnation as our present system only benefits the two main political parties. These two parties will do very little to promote effective electoral reform, perhaps we should listen more carefully to what the PDP has to say on this subject.

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  5. To 0158

    Id rather have the best of both worlds quality and quantity.

    It is very easy to criticise the civil service but how much of the funds paid to civil servants go back to our economy?If private cmpanies took over the civil service would they employ cheap labour from eastern europe or elsewere in detriment to Gibraltarians?what would the impact be towards local economy?



    The typical attitude of both civil servants,ministers and mps need to change pronto!

    This government is throwing our money away and believe me because i am a civil servant and i am forced to do so despite my recomendations to do otherwise.

    There are some chiefs in the civil service that never return a call and all they do is have a meeting after another and ensure funds pump to their families companies.

    I know this very well!!!!

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  6. L.E.F. says ,

    Even though I support the idea of direct representation I would agree with anon 7.59 in
    that increasing the number of MP's would be money down the drain.

    At present we have 17 MP's which in my opinion is more than we need, we do not need any more.

    We are already burdened with certain ministers (we all know who they are)who are just mere puppets called to make up the numbers.

    What work do the puppets produce on a daily basis to justify such positions as Ministers.
    How many important decisions have any of the puppets made ?

    Likewise with the opposition , what use is there for more MP's if the questions in Parliament remain unanswered or there is no respect for debate amongst our parliamentarians ? If there are no regular meetings called by Government?

    Will a larger opposition produce better results? The opposition could well have functioned with just 1 representative in the past 15 years considering their achievements.

    We could have a 100 MP's and that would not solve the problem on the contrary it would just complicate matters more.

    I am all for your other proposals which in themselves could achieve direct representation via other means.

    Maybe your proposal can be modified to work within the present system of 17 MP'S. to integrate these district representatives.

    I am all for change and applaud your efforts wholeheartedly . I somehow feel that we need quality and not quantity.

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  7. Anonymous at 97:59 and LEF

    No problem ... I would be happy for 8 of the 17 to be elected by districts and 9 by the whole of Gibraltar ... my aim is to get some direct representatives by district for constituents.

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  8. If certain of the light weights had not been in this parliament nothing would have changed. I say reduce the numbers to what they were before (18) or ask opposition members (whether GSLP now or GSD later, I am not partisan) to send in work sheets to an independent commissioner to see what work they have done and regulate their salaries acciordingly. There are too many make weights and jobs worths in both government and opposition.

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  9. Anonymous at 01:58 7.4.11

    Thank you for the link. Mr Caruana was magnificent. Really good. He staunchly and robustly defended Gibraltar. Fantastic.

    However, there is something about all this that just does not make sense. If you posted attempting to bolster Mr Caruana then I for one do not accept this. Remember the Europa forum interview. Do you remember the ‘Andorra’ position that without any doubt at all Mr Caruana favours? The words emanated from HIS mouth! This cannot disappear no matter how many times Mr Caruana tries to defend his regrettable words and in spite of being defended by excellent individuals like Mr Xiberras who first protested in sorrow and then ‘conveniently’ buried the Andorra issue and went on to praise Mr Caruana. What a U-turn from Mr Xiberras. What precipitated the U-turn? Mr Caruana and his political party must be praying that Gibraltarians are mesmerized and bedazzled by their tactics or alternatively that everyone in Gibraltar is infected with total amnesia with respect to his Andorra statement.

    Why is Mr Caruana so mistaken and errs in his judgement? Spain is out to destroy us. Read yesterday’s Chronicle online. The EU Commission backed by Spain has tried to declare our Tax regimen illegal. Fortunately it seems Gibraltar will be OK. What does this say about Spain? Simply that they are out to destroy one of our main financial sources of revenue. Does Spain care about the well being of Gibraltarians, present and future? I think not. Do I think that Joint sovereignty as I see the Andorra model allow Gibraltar to prosper? No. If you do, then you are sadly mistaken and do not know the Spaniards and their obsession with Gibraltar. This obsession will never die out and will continue. Gibraltar has no choice but to always be on the defensive and make it clear that sovereignty will never be discussed or diluted in any way.

    What is also personally dismaying is that Mr Caruana ignored the people’s wishes as manifested in three referenda. He clearly thinks that his mission on this earth is to give a solution to our neighbour’s contention. He may attempt only when the people of Gibraltar give him permission. We have nominated him as our representative and nothing more. Anything else from Mr Caruana is tantamount to either a Messianic fugue or indifference to public opinion. I believe that probably both.

    It is really a pity because he is a gifted individual but this serious matter cannot and will not be allowed to ‘disappear’. I believe that there are sufficient Gibraltarians around who do not agree with Mr Caruana on this matter and will just not accept that the Andorra statement articulated by Mr Caruana never took place. To allow Mr Caruana to get away without challenge is tantamount to Gibraltar’s demise at some time in the future. The future is like a tapestry , with many different threads which we may or may not follow. Time will tell but Mr Caruana’s thread is certainly one that Gibraltar must never contemplate.

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  10. annon 7 april 22.49

    hmmm, interesting, although your comments would have had more of an impact in the previous blog/topic!

    but surely corruption does not exist in this "DisneyWorld" of ours, noh???

    i pity your position because you are no doubt powerless in a job you are being paid to do!

    Paca Garse

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  11. anon @11:03

    calla ya chiquillo, no menee la olla ke con este interview en GBC ya se avian olvidao de andorra.

    ahora na ma falta un investigative journalistic article de Pakito y nadie se va a acorda de la pata ke metio en sevilla

    depues avrimo otro parke y lo elekshon son nuestro otra ve, tu vera!

    Pamastic (sapota del GSD)

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  12. The Andorran model is on the hidden diplomatic agenda...or not so hidden anymore!

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  13. I know that what I am about to say will be seen by some as GSD propaganda but I assure all that I am not a GSD supporter (but even if I were what follows speaks for itself). What I am is a strong believer that the electorate should be treated with respect. The GSLP tells us that the succesful Buena Vista tenderer was somehow secretive or opaque. Given the GSD's bad track record in these things the news came as no surprise. Now we hear that the tenderer is actually a client of the legal firm of the GSLP leader in waiting Fabian Picardo and that a simple visit to the Companies registry would have disclosed who the company belongs to. I await the GSLP view on this. I personally do not like being taken for an imbecile and think that Fabian Picardo has a lot of explaining to do if he is going to be a credible candidate for chief minister.

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  14. I agree, 15 MPs are already too many as the vast majority of them do not have any real duties in their daily jobs other than to act as de facto heads of department. Within the present system the Opposition has no effective role in Parliament because of Government majority.
    Whatever the formula, what we need is electoral reform that will deliver an effective Parliament where the people feel empowered.

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  15. 11:03, I completely agree with your post, well said!

    Peter’s statement wasn't taken out of context, it wasn’t a possibility that was proposed to him by anyone else, it was a statement made of his own volition.

    It IS a big deal for all the reasons you have already mention in your entry.

    Yes, he spoke very well in that link that 01:58 kindly shared with us, but that does not negate the fact that he already said and did what he did. He doesn’t deserve a “pass”.

    I dislike Peter’s style of running things in general and I feel that he has lost his way significantly during this last electoral term, but that this issue in particular really sticks in my craw. This is mainly because there was NO admission of fault. That sums up the current regime in a nutshell, everything has its purpose and if we can’t comprehend it then we’re supposedly being intentionally narrow minded for our own particular interests.

    That’s why they (he) will lose this election, not because of mistakes such as the Andorra debacle made during this last electoral term, but because of the stubborn and arrogant way in which they attempt to explain and justify every mistake and error in judgement.

    People aren’t prepared to tolerate it anymore.

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  16. The Picardo GSLP response to their Buena Vista cock up which anon @ 14.33 mentions will show whether Picardo is really an open competent operator or he is not and thinks the electorate are like the grotesques which appear in GSLP papers (tio Capote and Florntino Caleteno). This could make or break the party's election prospects are they sincere or more arrogant and out of touch than Caruana. More and more the PDP seems the only option. Avanti Azopardi!!!!!!!

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  17. @anon 14.33

    I agree and even more to explain.. Fabian Picardo, Michael Netto and another gentleman at Cafe Solo this lunchtime.. wonder what that was about?

    The GSLP have said that it was their idea to "harmonise" conditions including pensions of GDC employees with those of the Civil Service. I don't understand the difference between intergrating & harmonising? But I do know that in the 2007 GSLP Manifesto they not only promised to "harmonise" but also to backdate pension payments to 1996 if they were elected. So, what would happening now? If elected, will they keep to that manifesto promise which would mean millions to the tax payer...or perhaps they will have to drop the whole idea, if they are right and the GSD have in fact left the coffers empty!!

    Fabian meeting union reps in restaurant, at the same time roughly as Civil Servants get text messages to attend demonstration on Monday?

    Ch ch ch change......???

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  18. L.E.F. says,

    10 points for Mr Caruana and for all us Llanitos for his interview on Catalan TV and for defending our collective interest as Gibraltarians in front of the Catalan viewers.

    Unfortunately when the audience is the whole of Spain (especially the Spanish Governmnent) we are presented by the same Mr Caruana with Andorra style solutions or Cordoba Agreements or Tripartito etc.

    This is the problem .I am confused? I do not know what to believe.

    What is it that you are saying? Andorra, Independence, Self Determination, Colonial forever,British,Spanish,What?

    Well Mr Caruana what is it ? Do you advocate an Andorran model (to smooth our neighbourly relations)as a solution for me as a Llanito or do you really believe as you stated on TV and as I do, in my right as a citizen of Gibraltar to self determination in my homeland Gibraltar?

    Mr Caruana's intervention on Catalan TV makes me feel proud of being Gibraltarian. He reinforces my view that I have a right to my homeland. That I and my offspring can aspire to being what we truly are Lllanitos forever . That we are a community that must continuously strive until we are no longer a colonial people.

    These are the positive signals I captured from his interview. These are the things I always try to focus on. Even though I admit I have a negative outlook on Mr Caruana's GSD Government , I can also admit that his interview impressed me and I respect him for a job well done.

    It made me feel Llanito right to the bone and reinforce my views that we have much more in common than what keeps us appart.

    We are not GSD,GSLP,LIBERAL/PDP/INDEPENDENTS we are LLANITOS first and foremost. That is what unites us. Lets try and see beyond party colours.

    Hoever, I am not as enlightened as the party faithful so forgive me for not seeing the light. I believe that we all deserve the respect as the electorate to know what our Chief Minister really means.

    Was Andorra a slip of the tongue or is there something lurking in the shadows ? Is it self determination Visca El Barca style or full independence?

    Clarity please.

    Let There Be Light

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  19. vamo a ve si me aclaro...

    Buena Vista is to be developed by unknown investors pero la culpa la tiene Picardo y el GSLP!

    Picardo has lunch con Michael Netto y ahi mismo estan organising el civil service demonstration!

    como esta el rumour-mill hoy, noh?

    Mortero

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  20. Pa Mortero

    Noh...technicalli la culpa eh del GLP porke lo dijo Garcia, pero lo investors no son unknown hasta Hassan & Partners donde Picardo eh Partner !!!! ha esho un stamen en la chronic y GBC. Hablando malamente, el GSLP/GLP la han cagao big time con el scaremongering y lo del lunch, tu tiene rason, ma probable k estaban hablando de old time dancing...ahuuu me voy , mira pa riva .. otro cerdito volando !!!

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  21. The Civil Service is famous for its allegiance to the following:

    1. its pocket
    2. summer hours

    Not since Joe Bossano first came in and stopped the 'open-tap system' the AACR had managed the Civil Service with, has the GSLP ever had a place on that list.

    In fact, the civil Service has been ever-faithful to Caruana for many years, if it hadn't, they wouldn't have allowed a whole host of top posts to go to outsiders, without a single complaint, among many other injustices that they have suffered quietly over the last 15 years.

    So all those GSD supporters out there trying to blame the uproar the Civil Service is in now on Fabian Picardo, even going as far as saying he was organising the demonstration on Monday, think again.

    If anybody has cocked this up, its the Government and his best friends, the Union heads, who have failed to consult the Civil Service and, in their arrogance, expected them to accept whatever the 'All-knowing' had decided was best for them.


    El Mono Amedio

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  22. Mortero you have not followed what has happened. Wake up man! The GSLP says that the developer of Buena Vista is unknown and then it turns out that the developer is a client of Fabian's law practice so he was not unknown after all at least not to the leader of the GSLP. Mortero, look, of you dont mind being taken for an ape that's fine by me but do not expect evryone else to be a sucker.

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  23. hmmm interesting stuff !! I have just been on a Facebook closed group page, were two well known GSLP activists have just , in the last 2 or three minutes plastered their propaganda, one making a statement and the other asking everyone to attend the Civil Service Demo on Monday, rumour ay Mortero?

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  24. anon @ 23:26

    Ya me entero...

    The Government capotea el tema de lo investors, y eso esta bien, con eso nos conformamo.

    The GSLP saca un press release questioning the choice of developer, y ahi culpan ello por que Picardo should know everything about every client, the firm he works for has. Por que the firm es chiquita y tienen 4 cliente y medio na ma!

    Yo ne se de ti, anon @ 23:26, but I think ke el ke tiene un cuento aqui is the GSD y el ke se lo esta tragando, ere tu!

    Mortero

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  25. anon @ 23:39

    el civil service demonstration no estaba en el plan del Chief, noh?

    like 'el mono amedio' says, pa ke el civil service se heche a la calle to complain against Caruana, tiene ke esta la cosa pretty bad.

    es ma faci to say ke otro tiene la culpa, than to admit ke la habei liao big-time!

    Mortero

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  26. Isn't it a pity that when Caruana talks to the Gibraltarians, in Parliament and on GBC he rarely offers the same conciliatory tone and gentleness, positive attitudes and openess, inclusiveness and understanding, respect and airs of true statesmanship and diplomat, human rights and democratic champion of minorities, ect... like he does to his Spanish audiences?

    Local 'enemies' that he's got to attack and bury if they're not in line but foreign and Spanish friends he's convincing to give the Andorran model a try that he'll afterwards sell as 'free' hot cakes?

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  27. Devils Advocate...

    Dear Robert,

    I would be grateful if you could please initiate a debate on the the state of the Unions. Somehow I believe this will be an interesting topic.
    It appears that the demonstration involving both Unite members and GGCA members concerns a loss of confidence in the current unions representatives
    and their lack of consultation with regards reforms to be introduced within the civil service.
    Could it be due to their political tendencies I wonder?
    Certainly this must be a topic to debate, certainly one where I feel the dirty linen can be aired.

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  28. What a coincidence that the facebook group concerning the demo on Monday is inaccesible.

    Political sensorship once again!!! Blocked server access to the address centrally. Well done Gibtel.

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  29. Heard the latest?

    Isobel Ellul-Hammond has officially announced on facebook that she is de-activating her page.
    She claims that she has no time for it.

    Eso, o she's spilt the beans once too many y el Caruana se a mosqueao con ella?

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  30. What I find most amusing about the Civil Service reforms is that all the onus appears to be on what goodies civil servants will get out of the deal. (Tampin`s refferal to civil servants as the CM`s employees on Newswatch was quite a hoot too - I thought the civil service boss was the Chief Secretary!)Not much has been heard, however, on what tax payers might expect in return other than public offices remaining open through lunch. The Govt would do well to publish what benefits are in it to the tax payer.

    Where`s the Tax Payers Alliance when you need it ????

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  31. anon 9 April 2011 00:12 the Governor was treated on his first day in Gibraltar and in Parliament to Caruana's rants and bad manners

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  32. The GSD new recruits have disappeared from the front line, leaving behind the most ardent of supporters to fight the cause & defend the Almighty one.
    What a sad day for politics in Gibraltar!
    What happened to the promise of freedom of speech & their insistence of being their own person & not giving in to the will of the Emperor?
    Furthermore, if this is before the election, one shudders at how controlled they will be as Ministers, and what spineless puppets they will be!

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  33. It’s all very well to create the illusion of being individuals capable of forming their own opinions and thoughts without getting permission from party HQ to say anything on a given subject matter, but it’s sad to see that when push came to shove and the difficult questions started coming out they took the easy route of pretending they don’t exist by effectively ‘covering their eyes’ as opposed to tackling them in an honest and frank way which could have possibly earning kudos with an undecided voter.

    Instead they’re treated to more of the same “I know my place” stance from the soon to be GSD shadow ministers.

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  34. Anon @ 00:45

    I find it very dooubtful that Gibtelecom would be an accessory to online censorship, despite who the Chairman is. It would be a complete scandal that would have very serious ramifications for the Govt. and Gibtelecom if it were proved to be the case.

    If they dared to do that, I personally would make sure that subscribers could access the content through other means.

    John Dory

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  35. The Government wants to reform General orders and remove the final salary pension schemes due to the financial burdens this imposes.

    My suggestion is show by example and place youselves ministers on the wonderful Government 2 contributory pension scheme.

    I bet that move was not included in your revamp of general orders. lololol.

    Hypocrisy to the fullest!!!!!

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  36. El tio del capote9 April 2011 at 18:16

    Sorry but on a day when we know that four Ministers rebelled against the CM on the age consent got it right, how do you say they simply know their place? What about opposition members who voted against reduction of homosexual sex to 16 when they must have known the present position is unconstitutional just to exploit divisions within the government on this issue. None of them, costa, licudi, liberal Garcia or we occupcentre left ground Picardo, showed any courage at all to break rank.

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  37. Hey at least we will Bossano as a back seat driver making sure his successor doesn't do anything crazy. His own words Robert.

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  38. devil's advocate makes sense, Robert, perhaps there is a need for a piece on the state of the unions so that our views can be aired

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  39. Devils Advocate...

    Dear Robert,

    I have noticed that you appear to have excluded a comment I made earlier with regards the purpose of the demonstration to be held Monday 17.30 Hrs.

    Apologies if there was any content that could have caused concern.

    However I do believe that it is important that the public are aware as to the true purpose behind such a demonstration.

    That is to say that the demonstration is a democratic opportunity to display their discontent with regards the poor representation obtained from paid Union Officials and a show of no confidence towards those paid officials (both UNite and GGCA).

    As suggested both by myself and anon 19.35Hrs earlier, perhaps the state of the Union is is a topic worth debating.

    I would appreciate your independent opinions on both the state of the local Unions and their performance/function throughout the last few years; especially since you have now entered the poitical arena.

    Devils Advocate
    A Union Member

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  40. Devils Advocate...

    Dear Robert,

    I have noticed that you appear to have excluded a comment I made earlier with regards the purpose of the demonstration to be held Monday 17.30 Hrs.

    Apologies if there was any content that could have caused concern.

    However I do believe that it is important that the public are aware as to the true purpose behind such a demonstration.

    That is to say that the demonstration is a democratic opportunity to display their discontent with regards the poor representation obtained from paid Union Officials and a show of no confidence towards those paid officials (both UNite and GGCA).

    As suggested both by myself and anon 19.35Hrs earlier, perhaps the state of the Union is is a topic worth debating.

    I would appreciate your independent opinions on both the state of the local Unions and their performance/function throughout the last few years; especially since you have now entered the poitical arena.

    Devils Advocate
    A Union Member

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  41. Hi Devils Advocate

    Your previous comments contained certain suggestions about people that I could not publish.

    My problem with the Union issue is that I simply do not have the knowledge or information to write on thus subject.

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  42. What is to question about the performance of the union when they get concession after concession from Government? Is it that they are not under the thumb of Bossano? No doubt Bossano would like to be the back seat driver there as he will be in the GSLP.

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  43. venga robert

    ahora me quedo ma tranquilo que no te olvidate de mi ne era nada persona!!!

    pero tu sabe que lo que dije llevaba razon...aunque tuviera tu miedo que te mandaran un pape de corte!!!

    creo que ere un tio shulo con un par de bizims


    Paca Garse

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  44. interesting, devil's advocate.

    Today I have posted a comment referring to the unions, and it hasn't been allowed by Robert. However much I read over it, I cannot see anything libellous in it but trust in Robert's far superior experience in these matters.

    Have we finally come across a taboo subject?

    Its your call Robert - you're the boss!

    Anna Conda

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  45. The Union is not a taboo subject but I will avoid as best I can publishing allegation against individuals even if they are unnamed because they could be identified. Please let us try and restrict debate to issues. I really do not want to debate personalities if I can help it i.e. who has lunch with who or who might be doing something for a job or position. This is dangerous stuff and conclusions drawn may be way off the mark!

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  46. Devils Advocate..

    Dear Robert,

    such comments as in the past are very neutral and none commital when discussing controvercial issues.

    However if you are to enter the political arena and to be considered do you not think that your current perception is to be of value?

    Also in reply to Anons comments 21.00 Hrs such comments are void of any true substance worth debating.

    Devils Advocate..

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  47. Devils Advocate

    I have to admit that from where I sit and from what I have read the Civil Service seems to have obtained a good package. I may be totally wrong but it is for those who are making the case against it to clearly and simply explain what is wrong with it. I do not see that this has been done. You are welcome to do it here but without personlising it to what you may believe individuals may be receiving personally out of the deal, none of which I can prove or give any credence to.

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  48. that's all very well robert, but you did allow anon @19:53's comment yesterday afternoon.

    Anna Conda

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  49. Anna Conda

    Lunch yes but not about personal advantages to boot ...

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  50. Still no explanation from Fabian Picardo of how HIS PARTY could come out publicly saying that a client of HIS FIRM was unknown. "Don Pepe" has just posted in Vox repeating that Fabian's firm's client was unknown. Fabian needs to do something to control this otherwise many are going to think that he has no repect the intelligence of Gibraltarians. Not a good way for an asopiring CM to go about things.

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  51. To the anonymous who suggested that censorship might be another CIR Core Principle, the answer is NO but what I cannot afford is to be sued for defamation for which I am personally liable ... that is the only reason that I do not publish certain comments.

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  52. The woman's association, having grudgingly accepted the Court's decision on the age of consent, is now fighting for the legal age to be raised to 18 across the board and wants to continue collecting signatures in support of this.

    Perhaps, they should instead concentrate on standing outside the new toilets on friday and saturday nights, which according to the talk among the youth is that these have become a very clean and convenient place to have an intimate moment (or 20 minutes for that matter) for either a cheap 50p or daylight-robbery 1 euro, a go!

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  53. Anon 10:58 I concur!!

    I have had heard many a youth stating such a thing. Word on the street is "nike pa un quicky"!

    16 year old girls on Friday nights possibly fuelled by alcohol and drugs (both types of abuse are on the rise in Gibraltar) will now have easily accessible (not to mention cheap) accommodation to engage in acts of a sexual nature.

    16 year old gay or "confused" teen boys will also be granted with such stated means.

    I am well aware of the notion that “if you want to do something you will find a way of doing it”. But how many of us have thought when “under the influence” that something was a GREAT idea when in reality it was not? And in hindsight the next day has regretted these actions.

    The Government of Gibraltar is not only changing the law to encourage such situations but also providing the facilities!!! Unbelievable!!

    Or at least this is how I perceive it to be so.

    The GSD Government is turning our Gibraltar into a right MESS!!

    How much more will we have to pay as a community for this “prosperity” and “progression” of ours that the GSD Government so blatantly reminds us of on a daily basis? I shudder at the thought!

    K

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  54. Special K is on yet another rant. This latest anti GSD spin is quite possibly the most comical of all from our very own in house commentator extraodinaire. que peligro de tio.
    What's the GSLP line on age of consent? Last I heard they were on the fence on that too and waiting to see which way to go. Best to be non committal afterall the constitution fiasco blew up in their faces.
    Veremo ve por donde salen con el civil service although I gather they are working on it already. Nothing like a demonstration or the advent of strikes to rally support. Let's hope they get sufficient support or this too may explode embarrassingly in their faces.

    On a final note, let it be known that after 15 years and four lost elections, it is admirable that Joe is stepping down like any normal leader after four losses - oh wait a minute it the first time on any democracy I know that this is happening, well at least he is allowing new blood oozing with aspiration, new ideas, a vision, direction and prepared (like new labour did under Blair) to stir the party - oh wait a minute, he's come out in the Paranoia saying he's sticking to all the core party principles that have clearly bit worked for them.
    Who is really leading this party ? Food for thought.

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  55. Robert, if you feel the civil service have been dealt a good deal, perhaps you could write something simple along those lines, and allow them the opportunity to speak up and defend their position. I'm sure there is much more here than meets the eye and they too need a safe environment such as this one to air their views.

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  56. El kaelan es comico. The law says you have to treat everyone equal and the judge says that means reducing the age of consent for homosexuals to 16. That is Caruana's fault despite Caruana fighting the reduction tooth and nail. Now he says Caruana is encouraging gay 16 year olds to have sex in recently installed public toilets by the fact of installing them and allowing a judge to reduce the age of consent for homosexuals! Very clever. Viva el GSLP Kaelan.

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  57. Interesting to note the number of GSD supporters that have come out of the woodwork to pounce on Kaelan's post as opposed to addressing 11:03's well written and articulated piece.

    I imagine it’s because it’s easier to instigate a mud-slinging match than it is to actually discuss and address difficult issues.

    Carry on criticising the GSLP’s leadership circumstances, it’ll all be for nought if at the end of the day its leader proves himself to be capable and competent on the merit of how he presents himself to the electorate once he is officially APPOINTED as its leader.

    I suggest you concentrate on arguing your own corner as opposed to trying to put down anyone else in the event the above does come to pass.

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  58. Anon 18:35 and your point is? You see apparently it seems that ou the GSLP are allowed the democratic luxury of a right of reply or a right to pose an opinion. I think in the case of yourself and Special K it is the right to firstly re-read the incredulous comments of desperation followed by a giggle, then full blown laughter which is closely followed by a realisation that people actually do think this way, then worst of all the worry that some might actually believe it, in this case that the GSD has come up with a plan to cunningly allow 16 yr olds a venue for sex in hygienic conditions - priceless!!
    I look forward to more rants.

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  59. 18:51, my point is that it would seem that from the comments arising from this blog entry alone that GSD supporters would rather respond to a comment that has a poor footing in reality as opposed to one that comparatively must have had a lot of thought put into it which would be a lot harder to debate and argue (Kaelan, I’m sorry I do agree with some of your other thoughts and opinions, but to say that the GSD purposefully installed these toilets and reduced the age of consent in order to somehow turn Gibraltar into a further mess is a stretch too far. I do agree that it does seem that many young people are using the facilities in the manner in which you describe though).

    It is clear that GSD supporters would not agree with Kaelan’s views with regards to the public toilets, but I think everyone would agree that it would be more interesting to see what a GSD supporter's opinion is as to the piece that 11:03 had written.

    The fact that they have not done so and they have instead chosen to use Kaelan as a scapegoat representative of the entire GSLP and its views is disappointing (as is their reliance on the crutch of criticising the GSLP’s leadership situation.)

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  60. Can't find 11:03.

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  61. when the GSD have no argument, they ridicule instead.

    I believe Kaelan to be his own man, and brave enough to comment, in his own name, his true and honest opinions. I also believe he has a lot of respect for many politicians across the board, and is not a blind-GSLP supporter (as the GSD would put it).

    He is certainly anti-GSD and perhaps the GSD 'if you're not with us, you're against us' attitude erroneously brands him as GSLP.

    We do have to take into consideration however, that some weeks back, the GSD tried to woo him, even including an opportunity to meet the Chief, and it clearly didn't work. Its understandable why now the backlash on Kaelan from the GSD is so strong and vitriolic!

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  62. Anon 19:07. Thank you for clarifying that Special K is not the GSLP mouthpiece. I can rest easy. Now all we need to worry about is Fabian....;)

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  63. Anonymous at 19:23

    11:03 posted on the 8th April ... scroll up.

    Anonymous at 19:37

    I think you will find that the GSD has much, much more to worry about, even the CM admitted as much on Catalonia TV when he said after 15 years in government he had to contend with everything his government has promised and not done.

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  64. Very good observation 19:35.

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  65. Anon 19:35. Wow! That was great. Me emocionao y to. The violin trick is always a good fall back option, a little early but expected nonetheless. But best of all is the reference to Special K's respect for politicians including GSD - brilliant! Keep it coming man.

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  66. anon @ 19:47

    QED!

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  67. Robert, I believe the CM did more than admit to a difficult election, at one point, the interviewer refers to a September election!

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  68. Once again my comments have been taken out of context.

    Please note I never implied that the GSD Government had done these actions purposely, at least I hope they didn’t!

    Furthermore I NEVER stated that I had a problem with the new “age of consent” legislation for homosexuals. What I DID state was the following:

    “16 year old girls and boys (gay or otherwise) on Friday nights possibly fuelled by alcohol and drugs (both types of abuse are on the rise in Gibraltar) will now have easily accessible (not to mention cheap) accommodation to engage in acts of a sexual nature.”

    This was all in reference to the new toilets. Where exactly in my last post do I disagree with such stated legislation? Or imply that the GSD Government had done these actions purposely?

    My oh my!! The GSD aficionados must REALLY dislike me now. They seem to be so adamantly set in discrediting ANYTHING that I post that they will stop at nothing to do so. Including blatantly twisting my comments beyond recognition even though they are there for all to see! Well done you are truly making Caruana proud :)

    I will like to add though that I do get along with many GSD supporters and think highly of some of its elite members, yet (obviously) not all. Unfortunately I believe that the CM controls each and every one of them, moulding their contributions accordingly in order to subsequently strive for his own vision of an “improved” Gibraltar. A vision I happen to strongly disagree with.

    Finally please note I am currently NOT part of the GSLP/LIB network so cannot understand why I keep being associated with them.

    Ps – I know this is going to seem bang out of order but has anyone contemplated the idea that these new toilets could be seen as potential “hot spots” for rapists. Mock me if you wish but there has also been an increase in the number of rape cases as of late. Personally I am concerned.

    K

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  69. Kaelan

    despues del almuerzo de gora, you should have seen this coming ;)))))almeno ke pagara tu?

    i for one enjoy your style and objectivity, even though it can be a bit boxer style at times....keep the posts coming...almeno no tiene pelo pa ke se te caegan de stress!

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  70. Claro que page yo :) Faltara meno :P hahaha

    Ya!!! hahahha Pelo poko se me va caer ya!!

    On a different note... for all those who have provided positive feedback, THANKYOU :)

    K

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  71. And the winner is...................................................................Special K with, wait for it.........." new toilets could be seen as potential “hot spots” for rapists".

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  72. anon @ 21:47

    the new toilets are a waste of tax-payers money and are ripping off whoever pays in euros.

    try ridiculing this statement instead!

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  73. annon 21.47

    why ridicule? why not seriously think about what Kaelen's just said? it's not that far fetched an idea you know...from where i stand he is not pointing the finger at anybody, just merely trying to be devil's advocate.

    Paca Garse

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  74. Anon 21:47 its "funny" until it happens to someone you know.

    Food for thought.

    K

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  75. Anon 21:47

    Its "funny" until it happens to someone you know.

    Food for thought?

    K

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  76. The GSD providing raping venues by installing new toilets. Brilliant. Maybe that can form the subject matter for a Picardo press release to go along side the Buena Vista one .... Avanti el GSLP.

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  77. I see the GSD cavalry pick and choose the comments to ridicule, ignoring the ones they have no explanation or defence for!

    I suppose it is easier to poke fun at 'he who refused the hand of control' than to defend £1.75 million of tax-payers money on 7 toilets!

    carry on as you are, you are doing Caruana proud!

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  78. It amazes me that Special K has turned the issue of public toilets to potential rapist hotspots... what is he on?? Has he lost the plot??? Maybe if they wear a "I am a llanito" t-shirt they won't be raped!!
    Carry on Special K, you just keep dragging LLW more and more into the realms of comedy and stupidity!

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  79. Hi All

    all of you keep talking about 16 year olds, gays, sex, alcohol, drugs, sex in public toilets etc.... what the hell are 16 year olds doing out at 2-4 o'clock in the morning, drunk etc as stated??? They are still minors and the parents are still reponsible for them... I blame the parents not the Government!!!

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  80. anon @ 15:54

    Go ahead blame the parents, I do too, but the problem remains, in fact, on Friday nights, the 16 year olds complain about the 12 year olds in Casemates, and furthermore, I think you'd be surprised at the family background, surname, social class, etc of some of these children!
    If you don't believe me, go down to Casemates on a Friday night and see for yourself!

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  81. annon 15.35

    y sigue con el special k leshe!!

    do you not realize that you are able to take the p..s simply because he posts under his real name? you and I choose not to....so by all means make fun of his comments if it makes you happy, but not him!

    seguro ke tiene mas c.j.nes que all of us that post as annon's!!

    paca garse

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  82. Paca garse :)

    Thanks. But don't worry I'd rather me hated for who I am than loved for who I am not :)

    K

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