Wednesday 21 September 2011

The Importance of a Third Party

The recent frank interview of Keith Azopardi, leader of the PDP,  published in the Chronic raised, in my mind, a train of thought about the benefits that a "third party" brings to democracy. In the United Kingdom the Liberals have survived for scores of years without forming government, except, as now, in coalition. The question is why do third parties persevere? A related question is, do they add value to democracy? My view is that the value that a third party adds is tremendous and immeasurable. let us explore why.

Undoubtedly the main ingredient that a third party injects into the democratic process is the possibility of its election into Government or Opposition, if it presents a full slate of candidates. In this sense the description "third party" is a complete misnomer. The PDP is no less a political party and, at an election, offers voters no less than does the GSD and the GSLP/Liberal Alliance. The pejorative title "third party" is only earned or attributed to a party, usually, when it has no or a minority representation in Parliament. It is extremely possible that by electoral defeat, therefore, that either the GSD or the GSLP could one day end up as the "third party".

Frequently a "third party" will be a catalyst for innovative or different policies that the mainstream parties can and do adopt on an assessment of electoral popularity and opinion in relation to these. The most permanent and current example is electoral and parliamentary reforms. In fairness, it has been the PDP who have been constant on that issue. It has put forward concrete proposals, irrespective of whether one agrees with all or some of them or seeks more reforms. It is now that the GSD and the GSLP have been spurred into action on this subject. In this way a "third party" helps to advance wider political arguments and debate of important and relevant issues and helps to innovate.

In addition to increasing the choice for electors, a "third party" fills the vacuum that can and on occasion is left behind by the demise of a party. In the past parties in Gibraltar have disappeared only to be replaced by quickly cobbled together groupings of individuals. These groups have evolved into the semblance of being  political parties. Disorganised parties are not the best way for a democracy to function. The internal democratic machinery that acompanies a party is part of the democratic process. Albeit that such machinery is not compulsorily imposed by law, internal democratic procedures for selection of executive bodies and candidates for Parliament are an integral and important part of democracy.

The ability of the members of a party to call its leaders to account is equally so. This is more prevalent in some parties in Gibarltar than others. If internal party democratic accountability is lacking, the authority of any one individual within a party may develop to an unhealthy level. Such power within a party has wider consequences in a political system so lacking in checks and balances.

The existence of a "third party" also means that there are persons who have been engaged in the cut and thrust of politics for a period of time. They thus have experience, albeit limited because many will not have been MPs, of what it is to be in politics. Additionally their interest in politics will have led them to understand the intricacies and foibles of parliamentary procedures.Some knowledge of the political and governmental process is a must for a democratic society to continue functioning and to evolve.

A "third party" also offers the possibility of a hung Parliament. However remote this possibility may be in the existing electoral system, there would be no possibility at all were there were to be  no "third party". Just the existence of this possibility improves the democratic process because it incentivises the man stream parties to scrutinise their own policies carefully and consequently to fine tune them in the context of the policies and arguments of and stimulated by the "third party".

Additionally, a "third party" provides a home for voters disaffected with the mainstream parties. The votes gained by a "third party" evidence this disaffection and spurs on the renewal of the policies of all the parties. By offering an alternative a  "third party" also mitigates the growing "tribalism" that is prevalent in Gibraltar as between the two main parties, the GSD and the GSLP/Liberals.

All in all, my conclusion is that the PDP, in Gibraltar, should be encouraged and incentivised so that it will continue to enhance the democratic process by its very existence. I hope and trust that it will get enough support to encourage its continued existence and that it will persevere, irrespective of the election result that it achieves. The PDP have a place in Gibraltar and it is a continuing place. Just its very existence enhances the democratic process substantially and helps the evolution and maturity of Gibraltar as a political entity. I wish it well at the forthcoming election.

67 comments:

  1. The problem is that Keith openly admits that he left the GSD because he did not want to be associated with the Feethams' labour party. I suppose Keith thought the LP to be working class! So the PDP could be said to be a GSD splinter group who would likely go back to the GSD if there were a hung parliament. Discuss

    ReplyDelete
  2. Except for a very few people everyone in Gibraltar whether from the left or the right is working class. I think the same applies to the PDP and even Keith whose council estate accent often pops up in the middle of his amusing barrister's drawl ("Look James...") but the question still remains why was Keith Azopardi so anti-Feetham that he left the GSD when Daniel feetham came in. That really needs to be clarified.

    ReplyDelete
  3. RV

    I disagree in part (splitting hairs).

    The description of the PDP as the third party is not a complete misnomer (term that suggests an interpretation known to be untrue...Wikipedia).

    The PDP as an active political party is the third party by virtue of appearance, i.e. GSLP are the first, GSD the second and therefore PDP the third!

    However I do agree that come election time the PDP will just be another party with the same aspirations to govern as the other two and should therefore no longer be considered nor referred to as the third party. At the starting blocks, all political parties should be considered equals. Whether they then become the “third” most voted party is yet another matter. But I do agree with you that a “third” or even fourth party at election time provides alternatives which can only be healthy for our democracy.

    I wish them well too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rober

    I agree with your conclusion that the PDP, in Gibraltar, should be encouraged and incentivised so that it will continue to enhance the democratic process by its very existence. However, it is up to the PDP to aggressively convey what it stands for which will give it the encouragement and incentive of the electorate.

    I paid a visit to the PDP website and read the "2011 Budget Reaction by the PDP Leader" just to refresh my memory. I could not help thinking, that whether I agree with some of his objections or not, he does appear to have a thorough understanding of the economy.

    Remember Bill Clinton in 1992:-
    "It's the economy, stupid".

    I wish them well too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Im sorry but if I remember correctly Azopardi left 'porque no podia con el Chief Minister'. I think the Feetham excuse is a convenient one, and quite frankly it says a lot, about Azopardi, -exploiting a handy scapegoat in order to mask his true reason for leaving the GSD.
    Furthermore, Keith Azopardi would have been wrong to make such an assumption given how much Feetham and his ministry have done for Gibraltar.

    ReplyDelete
  6. maybe we should ask Keith why he left the GSD and let him set the record straight once and for all.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous at 01:20

    In his interview he clearly said that the reason was the merger of the GSD with the Labour Party and the inclusion of Danny Feetham in the election line up.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Why don’t the GSLP/libs and PDP just form an alliance and put us all out of our misery?

    A strong team of individuals ready to take on the job is what I think most of us want. All parties are just scurrying around trying to find candidates to fill in the gaps and the problem is painfully obvious as not one party has come up with a line up yet.

    For crissakes there is a lot that needs changing and updating – leave the political ideologies for next time, no one really cares it’s passe.

    There is much to be done NOW.

    ReplyDelete
  9. "the question still remains why was Keith Azopardi so anti-Feetham that he left the GSD when Daniel feetham came in. That really needs to be clarified"

    Clearly he left because Danny coming in as Deputy Leader of the 'merged' party, or so Keith thought, would have scuppered Keith's chances of becoming Leader. The only surprise was that Joe Holliday threatened to resign if he, and not Danny, was made Deputy. That effectively scuppered both Danny's and Keith's chances of becoming Leader, which is what both desperately wanted. Unlikely as it seemed at the time, Joe is now looking increasingly as Peter Caruana's successor for the leadership of the party in four years' time.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dear Robert,

    Checked my twitters and panorama states an election called before Xmas?

    Was this confirmed during an interview yesterday by Spanish media??

    ReplyDelete
  11. You say: "In (Keith Azopardi's) interview he clearly said that the reason was the merger of the GSD with the Labour Party and the inclusion of Danny Feetham in the election line up", but with respect that does not explain anything. What did KA think was so awful about the Labour party and / or Dan Feetham?. As I recall the people in the labour party were all upstanding Gibraltarians and DF was also a succesful lawyer whose party got a very creditable 8.3% of the vote in the 2003 election compared to the PDP's own 3.8% in 2007. I am sorry but if Keith wants to be taken seriously he is going to have to come clean on his break with the GSD. His supporters deserve clarity and the electorate also.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anon@11:54

    Do you honestly believe that the electorate, other than those contributing to this blog, give a damn about the whys and wherefores of the KA, JH and DF affair? That is all history now.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anon at 15.30. They say that those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat its mistakes. That is why if the Gibraltarian electorate is not the bunch of twits that many would like them to be they will want to know how those who now want to represent and lead them have behaved in the past. Keith Azopardi's departure from the GSD is still not clear. He needs to make it clear if he wants our vote and does not think us a herd of easily led morons and pillocks.

    ReplyDelete
  14. 16.42 It is unfair to imply that only KA thinks that we are a herd of twits, morons and pillocks. the fact is that most politicians do :)And we prove them right by block voting every four years :(

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anon@16:42

    The one thing that we can learn from history in this context is that Keith Azopardi left the comfort of a party in government and in which he was a minister and formed his own party. That to me means that he has the courage of his own convictions.

    ReplyDelete
  16. now, now, I heard the interview on GBC the night before last, and the CM was quite categorical in his vagueness when asked about the date of the elections. I very much doubt, the following day he would spill the beans in an interview on one of the Campo radio stations.

    This is not the way our illustrious leader operates, his people come first!

    So settle down now and lets stop the scaremongering - next thing we'll hear is 'que esta mas palomo que nunca' or that 'nos trata con un desprecio total'!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Keith Azopardi left the GNP, the party he stood fir ekection with in 1992, because Dr Joe Garcia would not step aside as leader, he then joined the GSD and stood for election with them in 1996. He stood down in 2003 because Peter Caruana would not step aside and waited for an excuse to leave the party to form his own outfit. The excuse wad Danny Feetham in 2005. He is the only person to have stood for election with three different parties. Last year he gave an interview intimating he was in discussions with both other major parties. My bet is he will go back to the GSD, which is very odd given that he has made more Bossanesque statements over the past 4 years than Bossano. But hey that's politics I suppose.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Come on at 3.7 per cent at the last election, which was the worst result for a third party in history, a vote for the PDP is a wasted vote. Your blog does more to raise awareness on important issues. We don't need the PDP for that. Azopardi has no charisma and has a serious disconnect problem when it comes to connecting with ordinary people.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a poor excuse this Feetham thing is. If he left because of that he lacks the courage to lead Gibraltar.

    ReplyDelete
  20. The interesting thing here is the rise of Joe Holliday. If it is true that this is PRC's last election then the future of the GSD appears to be big Joe.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Azopardi bores me to sleep! Holliday bores himself to sleep! and the thought of Caruana winning again gives me nightmares!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lol at the comments that Azopardi founded a party going up against Caruana and Bossano as an easy way into power :D

    ReplyDelete
  23. I was left speechless by El Tio del capote's scandalous allegation that Peter Richard Caruana abhors calentita. I have never heard of a more low down piece of poltical dirty tricks. Caruana must come out publicly to counter this otherwise he will be fillet steak after the November election. If this dirty propaganda campaign next we will be told that Picardo does not know the words of "Llévame Donde Nací", that Keith Azopardi did not find the play "Gibbovision" funny and that Charles Gomez sings like Niña Pastori.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anon at 00.34 the problem with Azopardi is that he thought that because he had been deputy CM and Labour had obtained 8.3 per cent, he could make the break through. He over rates himself and anyone that knows him, knows that to be true. As for leaving the GSD, at the time he said the merger would fundamentally change the character of the GSD because it would have inevitably led to labour members taking control of the GSD in due course and their policies where not compatible. Far from having courage he lacked the balls to stay and fight that outcome. He also had a swipe at Caruana that not enough was being done for housing and on other issues. Now it is obvious he wants to return to the GSD because the word in the street is feetham will not stand for election, which is a shame because he has shown more dignity and courage than 10 of Azopardi.

    ReplyDelete
  25. what we tend to forget is that in real terms the pdp is the fourth party,the liberals,might find that the ever growing gslp membership might one day want to do away with the liberal alliance.Why not?........they apear to have more than enough member coming forward to contest the elections.The gslp policies are voted by the membership,and the liberal are not gslp members.
    One wonder if the liberals and gslp lined up a full squad for the elections whether the gsd and liberal would become the opposition,should the gslp win.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Let's not waste anymore time on Azopardi. It is obvious he has been looking for a way to do some kind of deal with either the GSLP or the GSD and neither one has taken the bait. The real issues at the next election are not going to revolve around parliamentary reform or democracy or anything like that. It's going to be about trust. Can you trust Peter Caruana or can you trust Fabian Picardo?

    ReplyDelete
  27. Did someone say Feetham leaving the GSD lineup? Heavens! He jumps ship from the GSLP, he jumps ship from his own Labour Party and he now jumps ship from the GSD. Este tio que tiene pinchos en el culo?

    ReplyDelete
  28. Gianni at 17.54 you got it wrong. The electoral test is not trust Caruana or Picardo. It is "continue trusting" Caruana as against taking a chance on Picardo.

    LLanitos don't play dice with their future, Gianni.

    El Montarik

    ReplyDelete
  29. "Do you honestly believe that the electorate, other than those contributing to this blog, give a damn about the whys and wherefores of the KA, JH and DF affair? That is all history now." Yes, Anon, it is history; but history is very relevant to trying to predict what will occur going forwards. That's what political analysis is all about. "Now it is obvious he wants to return to the GSD because the word in the street is Feetham will not stand for election." Don't think Keith wants to return to the GSD but an alliance with the GSD 'a la GSLP Libs' might well be on the cards for the next election. The word is also that Danny will not stand unless Joe H is dropped from the lineup and Joe is highly unlikely to want to step down now that the GSD leadership is at long last within his grasp. Remember that Joe H told Peter C he would resign if Danny was made Deputy Leader instead of him. That would have brought down the Govt and triggered a by-election as the GSD had a majority of just one seat at the time in the former House of Assembly. With Danny leaving, the GSD have reportedly been trying to persuade
    a certain young(ish) lawyer to stand for election as a future leadership successor to Joe H. It will be interesting to see the GSD's general election line-up as an indicator to the future of the party. Peter C is determined to prevent the GSD going the way of the AACR and is working hard at succession planning behind the scenes. The Keith factor and the possibility of a GSD PDP alliance at the next election makes things even more intriguing.

    Original Gianni

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sorry is Original Gianni suggesting that JH could be Gibraltar's CM???? I think that Orig Gianni has been watching too many Christian Santos farces or has a screw loose!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anon at 22.05 don't you think if someone knifed you in the back in front of your children you would be entitled to call it a day? come on please.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Asi que gana el GSLP. Esta gente don't have a clue! El Azopardi positioning himself to jump back with the GSD. El GSD que parece on a self destruct mission with pajas mentales about Joe Holliday on his White charger saving the day. What a disaster. Can't wait for election day for a new Dawn.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Are you seriously suggesting the GSD are so desperate that they are looking to do an alliance with the PDP? I now know who will win the next election lol.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Wow original Gianni, do you think that is why his imperial majesty is delaying calling an election? Because he is negotiating a deal with the PDP?

    ReplyDelete
  35. What nobody understand is that there is no incentive at all for the GSD to strike an electoral deal with the PDP. Azopardi does not have a popular following to speak off and even if Feetham is leaving the GSD government, the new stable of GSD candidates will throw up a successor. In the meantime, Joe Holliday is a super-experienced man who can steward the party during a transition.

    One final thing. Did the GSD ever see Fettham as a successor? Something tells me not.

    El Montarik

    ReplyDelete
  36. This thread has caused me to re-think things somewhat. Up until now I thought that Caruana and Picardo were pains in the ars*, but the thought of Holliday and Azopardi being our top politicians in the future has made me reconsider. If JH and / or KA led us, the work of generations by Hassan, Peliza, Xiberras, Canepa, BOSSANO and CARUANA would be undone. For better or for worse these men have allowed Gibraltar to punch well above our weight and have made us into an effective city state. I can see people like Feetham and even maybe Picardo or Garcia continuing that legacy but I honestly feel that neither businessman Joe H or ex-consultant Keith A have what it takes to be Gibraltar's standard bearers. A CM Keith or Pepeito would consign Gibraltar to the position of La Linea (but without Gemma Araujo's good looks and charm)or Santa Margarita.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Chris@00:14

    Chris

    I agree with you entirely. I would not be surprised if Mr Feetham withdrew from politics even if only for a time given the trauma that he and his family have lived through.

    I never expected him to return to politics after the incident. That is to be admired regardless of one's political allegiance.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Montariik the GSD will die with Caruana at this rate. Joe Holliday esta, whether rightly or wrongly, quemao and who are the people you talk about throwing up a successor? Picardo, Garcia, Azopardi, feetham ..... They have all been in politics for many years and cut their teeth. What unknown are you going to pop out of a hat? Unless a deak can be struck with azop you will die. I think you are right about one thing, Feetham was a duck out of water in the GSD. Although he has done a super job the GSD is controlled by web of very close family and other interests with right wing leanings ........

    ReplyDelete
  39. El style deal Montarik es como el Ghost. Como se pegan palo entre ellos!

    ReplyDelete
  40. As others have already mentioned Feetham is more than fully entitled to give the upcoming electoral term a miss on the basis of what happened to both him and his family.

    I imagine that not having him in the line-up will be another blow to the floundering GSD and that the party will go the way of the Dodo after they (in all probability) lose the upcoming election.

    I hope that if Feetham does return to the political area thereafter he does so as the leader of a new party.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Anon @24th Sept @ 22.05

    I dont think Feetham had 'pinchos en el culo'. As I remember it was more like an 8" knife in his back and two further stabs in his leg....

    Pinchos en el culo would have been a treat for Daniel and his entire family on the day!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Anon@11:17

    That was almost an obituary of the GSD and an incineration of Mr Holliday's political future.

    As for a successor, you are right, Mr Picardo, Mr Garcia and Mr Azopardi have been in politics for a long time. The electorate is, therefore, fully aware of their failings as well as their strengths. I do not know why you included Mr Feetham in that list.

    As for the next leader of the GSD: 'Cometh the hour, cometh the man' or 'woman' (lest I be accused of being sexist).

    ReplyDelete
  43. Anon@12.03
    Your incineration comment: if you play with matches you do get burned! Independent audit.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Anon@12:21

    Independent Audit?

    What on earth are you suggesting?

    ReplyDelete
  45. I think Montarik is right the future lies with Rafael Benzaquen, Luis Momtegriffo, Isobel Ellul, Selwyn Figeras and Damian Bossino..

    ReplyDelete
  46. anon@13.04

    G-d bleeding help us!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Anon@13:04

    I agree the GSD newcomers could bring a new blood infusion to Gibraltar politics.

    Who is George Mascarenas anyway, sounds like a blast from the past.

    ReplyDelete
  48. With all due respect to the others, Isobel Ellul-Hammond is the only name in that lineup that's going to be catching any votes.

    I imagine that’s going to be the case as long as the others allow themselves to kowtow to our glorious leader who’s seemingly unprecedented unpopularity is surely going to cost the GSD this election (in addition to the cack-handed manner in which the party as a whole has handled the propaganda side of their campaign).

    ReplyDelete
  49. Anon@13.48 I agree, the future of the GSD is Rafael Benzaquen with Luis Montegriffo of power to the people fame as his deputy.

    ReplyDelete
  50. 13.03: "Rafael Benzaquen, Luis Momtegriffo, Isobel Ellul, Selwyn Figeras..."sounds like PDP light although I agree that Damon (for that is his real name) Bossino has excellent prospects.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Peter Caruana desperately needs the PDP's 3-4% of the vote if he is to have any hope of staying in power. I would therefore be very surprised if he were not trying to broker a deal behind the scenes to try and secure that extra 3% via an alliance, merger or other sort of deal which could make all the difference, even though he knows that Keith will strike a hard bargain. Yes, Keith and Nick's PDP will agree to 'merge' with the GSD, just as Labour did before them; but Peter must pledge to hand over the leadership of the merged party to Keith half-way through the next term. And Keith will insist on having that pledge in writing. No Granita pact. Even with the extra 3-4% Peter could still lose but it has to be worth the gamble if he really wants to stay in power.

    Orig Gianni

    ReplyDelete
  52. With all due respect the GSLP line-up sounds pretty dire.. . . Joe Cortes, Norbert Borge, and George Mascarenhas. I wonder what motivates each individual candidate...? It sounds to me that the motives vary from having an axe to grind, seeking personal glorification, and reliving past glories.

    And who said policies should come before people?!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Sam, with all due respect perhaps you should wait until the GSLP executive decide who will be representing the GSLP in the next election and not make assumptions based on an individual's desire to being taken into consideration.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Sounds like you've got your own axe to grind Sam :)

    ReplyDelete
  55. Can someone enlighten me as to who Damian or Damon Bossino is?

    ReplyDelete
  56. Original Gianni you seem to have the inside track. Can I ask you what would happen J. Holiday in that scenario? Is he part of the agreement?

    ReplyDelete
  57. PELLLLEAAASE! What claim has Keith Azopardi got to be CM? Caruana made him his deputy because after having had to deal with a Big Beast like Peter Montegriffo Caruana needed a mouse. What is Keith known to have done during his 8 years in government? If Keith lets on that he will rejoin the GSD the PDP's vote will evaporate. Also you lovely people obviously know who Rafael Benzaquen, Luis Momtegriffo, Isobel Ellul, Selwyn Figeras and Damian Bossino are but I don't and neither do any of my friends. With an election a matter of weeks ago should n't these hidden giants of Gib politics make themselves known as Robert Vasquez wisely suggests? I agree that the GSLP line up of old codgers is dire but at least Joe Cortes, Nobby Borge and George Mascarenhas are all well know in town. Finally I agree with anon at 08.43 that Pepeito Holiday as Chief Minister would make be go directly to Madrid to propose terms of surrender to Rajoy. Truly the world has gone completely mad!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Selywn and Isobel would do very well but Luis power to the people is a complete liability. Benzaquen and Bossino I do not really know. I think the latter is a young lawyer with Isolas.

    ReplyDelete
  59. I think there is mainly speculation in many of these comments.

    Damon Bossino is a lawyer at TSN. He was at one time with the GNP/Liberals.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Of course its speculation you fool! In the absence of clarity from the politicians what else the f*ck should we do but speculate?

    ReplyDelete
  61. Don't mention it, you are welcome!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Bossino really is the GSD's great hidden secret weapon. He is intelligent articulate lacking in the arrogance of many of those who are attracted to politics and he is a strong Catholic. Caruana really does need to start promoting Damon soon. Get him into the debates quick, his skills will soon wow the electorate. Compared to Bossino Picardo will lose much of his lustre.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Anon@17.11 mas pajas mentales! If the GSD rely on an unknown lawyer as their secret weapon you are done for. You really are scraping the bottom of the barrel. First it's Pepe Holliday saving the day, then it's Pepe Holliday backed up by a group of unknowns and now the saviour is Bossino. What planet are you on?

    ReplyDelete
  64. This reminds me of Sir Joshua Hassan's immortal words when he was told Joe Gingle was standing with the GSLP in 1980 "who is Gingle!".

    ReplyDelete
  65. Anon@17:11

    I hadn't noticed Mr Picardo's lustre.

    ReplyDelete
  66. I can just hear Hassan's unforgettable voice: "Quien es este Gingell?" in reference to Joe Gingell who stood for election for the Gibraltar Democratic Movement in 1980 and later wrote "Gibraltar and Evacuation". In fact I remember my grandfather telling how when Mr. Hassan (as he then was) joined Albert Risso's AACR in the early 40s the general comment was "Quien es este Hassan". Yesterday's non-entities are tomorrow's "entities" so let us give everyone who stands for election in November a chance. Let us listen to what they have to say, quiz them thoroughly and investigate their backgrounds and histories so that we elect the best people. And for pity's sake STOP BLOCK VOTING fellow Gibbos you are making twits of yourselves.

    ReplyDelete