Gib Opposition Leader Pushes For Recall Of Parliament

by Robert Lee, Tax-News.com, London

06 August 2002

Leader of the Opposition in Gibraltar, Joe Bossano recently urged the government to recall Parliament in order to present a united front across the political spectrum with regard to the partial Anglo-Spanish agreement on sovereignty.

Criticising Chief Minister, Peter Caruana for a perceived failure to adequately involve his political rivals in the formulation of a response to Jack Straw's announcement of last month, Mr Bossano argued that:

'Mr Caruana says the eight government members have an electoral mandate to make a judgement as to what is best for Gibraltar. We do not question this. But equally, the elected Opposition has the same mandate and the same responsibility. Where we disagree with his judgement we have a duty to you, the people, to say so and put forward our alternative.'

The head of Gibraltar's Labour party, and the Gibraltar Socialist Liberal Alliance (GSLA) also accused Mr Caruana of stalling over the Rock's own constitutional proposals, alleging that since the Anglo-Spanish negotiations began in earnest: 'he has refused to press ahead with our New Constitution, acting like a rabbit frozen in the headlights of the new Anglo-Spanish deal. His excuse for not acting has been that the UK would 'high-jack' our new constitution and incorporate it into the deal with Spain.'

In a statement released last week, Mr Bossano argued that the action plan produced by the Gibraltar government does not go far enough, and stated that:

'As Leader of the House Mr Caruana should recall our Parliament and we should carry a strongly worded motion rejecting any sovereignty concessions with Spain agreed beforehand by consensus. The meeting should be just for this purpose with no other business, to show a united front against the Straw Proposals and we should do this without delay.'

The Opposition leader also called for the possibility of further public demonstrations to be considered, and urged the government to make clear to the UK that no Spanish military presence will ever be tolerated on the Rock.

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