A Dark and Cloudy Dawn but with a Small Hope of a Ray Of Light

In my last post I talked of a new dawn. In the first paragraph, I gave examples of a few positive signs but I am not so naive, as someone suggested, as not to know that there are also some dark clouds hiding the rising sun. In my post "Depersonlised Comments to Improve this Blog", posted on the 1st May 2011, I anticipated the controversy that the electorate will be faced with at the forthcoming election.

I wrote : "My personal sadness is that the risks of the personal circumstances of anyone elected to the office of  Chief Minister having an adverse effect on Gibraltar are heightened by the democratic deficit that exists in Gibraltar. The very fact that our electoral system results in the election of a presidential style Chief Minister magnifies that risk, should the person offering himself or herself for election to that office be found to be wanting. If the electoral system was reformed to elect a truly representative government from amongst whom a Chief Minister would emerge, the risk would be somewhat diluted."

The essence of my point is that those who stand for election need to carefully consider their respective personal circumstances and ensure that these will not impact on the reputation of Gibraltar. I cast no stone but already we have the challenger to the post of "president" of Gibraltar being questioned in his first interview on GBC about certain professional issues that he faces. I do not castigate GBC for bringing these issues to the fore. I applaud Gerard Teuma for his incisive and hard hitting interview. He has set a new standard for interviews on GBC. GBC now needs to maintain that style and standard for every interviewee, whatever his office or post. GBC's much criticised independence and credibility, going forward, depends on it doing so.

The electorate has the right to know about anything that might impact on the ability of any candidate to properly undertake his or her duties as an elected representative, especially if the candidate is putting himself forward as a potential Chief Minister. The media has a responsibility to inform. In the same post from which I have already quoted above  I also wrote "The present electoral system converts the 10 votes that each voter has into one vote for a president who is known as the Chief Minister. This fact alone militates to comparisons  being made as between one potential candidate for the post of Chief Minister and another and criticisms of each." This is exactly what has happened. Mr Picardo was asked about certain professional issues that he faces; in part defence he retorted by making certain assertions against Triay & Triay, pertaining to a period during which Peter Caruana was a partner.

Unfortunately for Mr Picardo there is no comparison between the cases he was quizzed about and the matter that he alluded to relating to Triay & Triay and so to the Chief Minister. I fully stand behind, support and repeat the statement, issued by No 6, that Mr Picardo's assertions on the Necora case are untrue and false. The circumstances of where Mr Picardo finds himself professionally are completely different and the cases involving him are still ongoing. He also said that Triay & Triay lost its libel case against a newspaper in Spain. This statement by Mr Picardo is not accurate.  The Necora case  involved the arrest in Spain of a Gibraltar lawyer who had no connection and had never had any connection with Triay & Triay. Mr Picardo should, as a lawyer himself, know that repeating statements that have been already found to be defamatory is itself defamation.

The theory that I have been preaching for a long time is that the confrontational style of politics that play out in Gibraltar do not improve Gibraltar; that this style is partly caused by the electoral and parliamentary system that Gibraltar has; that, consequently, one route by which it can be alleviated is by electoral and parliamentary reform. It is a theory that most politicians have discussed, accepted and consequently promised reforms to change the system for at least the last 35 years, which is the time that I have been politically aware in Gibraltar. None have progressed the issue, save that, thankfully, the 2006 Constitution was drafted in manner to allow for such changes to be enacted by our Parliament. I would have preferred these matters to have been resolved and included in the Constitution, leaving within the Constitution sufficient flexibility for future improvements, but it was not to be. 

Now, at long last, we have the GSD Government inviting the GSLP Opposition to achieve reforms as a matter of urgency. Now we also have the GSD Government publishing an outline of its proposals and inviting the GSLP to make suggestions. This may be a ray of light in an otherwise cloudy dawn. I know that there are skeptics that do not believe the reforms will actually come about. I am optimistic and refuse to be a skeptic on this issue. I am not prepared to believe that the two mainstream parties will be so cynical as not to progress the promised reforms. The electoral reaction to that would be too vociferous. The loss of trust and confidence in the system of government too great. The repercussions serious, in this age of internet freedom and communication.

Time will tell whether the GSD proposals go far enough. They are certainly a start. They do not deal as yet with details, such as the electoral system or the issue of  direct representation of people in Parliament. The GSLP may wish to make suggestions in this regard. We will see. I hope and trust that the issue will be fully aired and debated and that the reforms will be robustly democratic whilst balancing the need for the ability to govern not to be seriously compromised. However, if reforms are to be implemented there must be legislation before the next election, otherwise the window of opportunity will close.

One important facet of democratic government is inclusion. Inclusion helps to avoid confrontation. It helps to attract more participants. It will help to ensure that a void in government does not result. It will ameliorate the possibility of scandal affecting Gibraltar adversely. Gibraltar's success and administrative and territorial integrity are best safeguarded by ensuring good governance. The chances of good governance are enhanced by the greater participation of people and also by systemic checks and balances. Any reforms should bear these considerations in mind.

Reforms should enable more people to involve themselves in politics at an earlier age, encouraging candidates to get involved at an early age will ensure that experience can be gained and continuity of government secured. I would hope that reforms would also encourage consensus in the manner in which Gibraltar is governed. All existing parties adhere, in the main, to the centre ground of politics. It should not be difficult after any election for those elected to join together to govern in a government of unity. I do not have the depth of knowledge of political theory to design a system that will deliver these ideals but it cannot be beyond the wit of those learned in this subject to be consulted to design a custom made system to work in a place like Gibraltar for its best advantage. I urge our politicians to seek advice. There is no shame in that.

How can the electorate help? Easy, do not block vote for parties. Even though I have decided not to stand for election, for the present, the strategy that I have proposed in the past still stands. Use your 10 votes wisely. Look at each individual candidate. Analyse his or her character. Decide on his or her salient political characteristics;  believe me, in both parties there are those who lean more to the centre right and those who lean more to the centre left. Try and understand who each is as an individual. Then vote for those you consider to be the best and most suitable candidates, ignoring the party acronyms beside their respective names. If no party gains a majority so be it. Let them sit round tables behind closed doors in smoke filled rooms (possibly not smoked filled any more) and negotiate a package of policies and measures that will benefit Gibraltar. They know they can do it just force them into it. Gibraltar will be radically changed for ever and for the better if this is achieved.