La Linea mayor attacks Gibraltar over pensions issue

The announcement that Britain and Gibraltar are prepared to challenge any court action on Community Care has provoked a particularly strong attack from the mayor of La Linea Juan Carlos Juarez, describing it as 'vile' behaviour.

He sees it as a way of not giving due consideration to the request from the European Commission in respect of resolving the conflict.

Sr Juarez criticises the neighbourliness of Gibraltar, saying that Gibraltar wants one-way traffic for its benefit.

He further accuses Gibraltar of not wanting to give anything in return, even though he thinks that the EU formally requested in March that there be a solution to the pensions problem.

He considers it "insensitive and shameful" that Peter Caruana should have told them that the pensions issue was being considered in the tripartite talks and he was now said something else.

Spain wants to facilitate frontier traffic etc but London and Gibraltar simply want to prolong the decision on the pensions by going to court, perhaps in the hope that more pensioners will die.

In another statement yesterday, Sr Juarez urged that the question of the pensions should be the priority issue in the tripartite talks.

RESPONSE

*As is known, the EC sent a letter to Britain last March expressing 'serious doubt' about Community Care and alleging discrimination.

“Britain was given two months to reply. This is what is being done, in responding to the EC action.

If after receipt of the British opinion, the EC remains unhappy about the situation and resorts to court action, Britain says that this will be contested. Gibraltar Government agrees.

Complaining about anything Gibraltarian - even 'queso de bola'!

Once again, that paragon of Spanish political 'enlightenment', Rafael Estrella, shows his true colours, says the Voice of Gibraltar Group.

"In the same breath, he indulges in the now well-worn 'talante' but recommends that Gibraltar 'shifts' from the trade in tobacco and petrol.

Even the humble 'queso bola' got a mention," says VOGG.

They add: This gentleman believes that such trades are not 'a 21st century economic activity'. Then, what is?

The likes of him persistently complain about the Finance Centre, Bunkering, MOD shipping, even land reclamation and development.

Well, these and others, are what attract thousands of their fellow countrymen to queue up for work on The Rock.

So much so for Spain's reputation as a top-tier EU state.

OLD CLAIM

So Gibraltar is expected to move into the 21st century in all its activities, whichever these may be, says VOGG. In the meantime, Spain can continue to uphold its 18th Century sovereignty claim, which denies the 'llanitos' their right to self-determination and economic advancement.

Anyhow, it is El Quijote's 500th Anniversary and certain attitudes will never change.

"OVERAWED"

The group goes on to say: It will be recalled that many were overawed by Mr. Estrella's 'performance', some to the point of veneration, during his last visit to the Casino Calpe and other local venues.

Perhaps some of those star-struck pillars of the community, in particular, those who deal in the specified commodities, can now offer pertinent comment.

Alternatively, why not have him back and quiz him accordingly?

The Voice of Gibraltar Group says it will not hesitate in responding to all the diatribe that emanates from Spanish politicians, whatever their 'talante', tripartite talks, 'neighbourhood' process, regional cooperation, cross-border relations or the quest for Nirvana.

Not for the first time, Mr. Estrella's contribution is an insult to the intelligence of the Gibraltarians, or to put it colloquially, 'nos esta comiendo el coco', say Paul TUNBRIDGE and Julio PONS, spokesmen of THE VOICE OF GIBRALTAR GROUP agrees.

Gibraltar to play Monaco

Gibraltar is to play Monaco and the Amateur Football Alliance (UK) in the second edition of the Gibraltar Cup at the Victoria Stadium later this month.

The GFA says:..

"The Gibraltar Football Association is pleased to announce that the 2nd edition of the Gibraltar Cup will taking place at the Victoria Stadium between the 27th to 29th May, kick off for all matches being at 7.30pm.

The order of the matches will be as follows:-

(a) Friday, 27th May Gibraltar v Monaco

(b) Saturday, 28th May Amateur Football Alliance (UK) v Monaco

(c) Sunday, 29th May Gibraltar v Amateur Football Alliance (UK)

The Amateur Football Alliance was established 98 years ago, it is affiliated to the English F.A. and its leagues are made up of purely amateur players from the length and breadth of England. The Monaco Football Association was established in 2000 and indeed played against Gibraltar its first international match. Its players are also amateurs.”

Gibraltar-licensed PartyGaming considers conclusions of review

PartyGaming Plc announced in January that it was undertaking a review of its strategic options.

This review has now been completed.

PartyGaming is pleased to announce 2004 revenues of $602 million (unaudited) and EBITDA (before share option expenses) of $391 million (unaudited).

The Group has also announced the appointment of Michael Jackson, currently Chairman of Sage Group plc, as non-executive Chairman and of Brian Larcombe, formerly Chief Executive Officer of 3i Group plc, as non-executive Deputy Chairman.

The Group is now considering the conclusions of the review in conjunction with Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein (“DrKW”).

GROWTH

Richard Segal, Chief Executive Officer of PartyGaming said: “The financial performance of PartyGaming is a clear reflection of the growth in the online gaming market and specifically online poker. PartyGaming was one of the earliest entrants into this global industry and the Group’s ongoing investment in its organisational and IT infrastructure, customer service, marketing and payment processing have created the foundation for the Group’s growth to date.

Any future decisions will be based upon PartyGaming’s record of strong profits growth and significant cash generation.”

Regarding the appointments of Michael Jackson and Brian Larcombe, Richard Segal added: “I am delighted to be announcing the appointment of two highly experienced businessmen as our Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

Their credentials and reputations speak for themselves and the Group considers itself fortunate to have recruited such highly respected individuals.

“The Group is already benefiting from their wise counsel and guidance.”

ONLINE

PartyGaming (formerly iGlobalMedia) is a leading e-gaming company which owns a number of online poker, casino and bingo brands.

It is licensed and regulated by the Government of Gibraltar, where the Group has its headquarters.

PartyPoker.com is the Group’s flagship brand, and accounts for the majority of the Group’s revenues.

Launched in August 2001, PartyPoker.com is the world’s largest online multi-player poker room.

COMMUNITY CARE: Britain to challenge any court action, but will the EU position change?

Britain is prepared to challenge any court action on the question of Community Care - but will the EU change its position?

That is the crux of the matter as the chief minister returned from talks with officials at the Foreign Office in London.

Mr Caruana has described the meeting as "very constructive and successful", but this is because both governments "agree substantially on the nature and basis of the response to the European Commission letter."

It means, therefore, that there has not been full agreement and what are the differences have not been explained.

"SERIOUS DOUBT"

The EC wrote to Britain (as the member state responsible for Gibraltar) on 21 March saying that "serious doubt" remained in is mind related to Community Care's nature, and alleged discrimination.

The Commission gave the UK a deadline of two months to submit its observations.

The deadline will be up next week, and hence the urgency of the meeting held in London.

What the EC is saying is that it wants Britain to allay the "serious doubts" it has over Community Care.

This is indeed a serious matter. If those doubts persist, legal proceedings may ensue.

"The Commission may, if appropriate, issue a Reasoned Opinion on the matter," said the EC letter. "If in the future the Commission should decide to challenge the legality of Community care payments, the UK would defend such challenge," said the Gibraltar government. As in the case of the finance centre, this is the least anyone would expect.

But a cloud of uncertainty remains over whether or not the EC is going to change its position and accept that Community Care can continue.

"TOTALLY CONVINCED"

The Government says that for its part, "it is, and will remain totally convinced, of the legality of Community Care payments."

That is to be expected to be the case, as otherwise it would not be backing it.

But the central issue is not that, but what the EC thinks about it.

The EC's current position is that it has "serious doubts" - and now it is up to the British and the Gibraltar governments to convince the EC that the Gibraltar position is the correct position.

The Gibraltar government says that it will "fully support" the decision of the Trustees of Community Care to continue such payments regardless of any political or legal challenge that may emerge.

Everyone in Gibraltar is indeed behind Community Care. There is no doubt about that.

It would be a wholly unacceptable situation if a body like Community Care were not allowed to provide a household cost allowance to residents of Gibraltar.

At the meeting in London, Mr Caruana was accompanied by chief secretary Ernest Montado and the director of the Gibraltar office in Brussels Michael Llamas. They met with officials from the Foreign Office and legal advisers from the FCO, the Cabinet Office and the department of Works and Pensions.

"The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the content of the UK government's response to the letter received from the EU Commission which invited comments as regards Spanish pensions and Community Care," said a statement.

We are in, says Junta; You are out, says Gib Govt

by Our Political correspondent

The next meeting under the tripartite process is to take place in late May. Or in June. It depends who you listen to.

The Gibraltar government talks of late May, but the Spaniards talk of June. What is certain at this point in time is that no date or venue has yet been fixed!

As regards a venue for the main trilateral talks, they ought to be held in Gibraltar if the talks are truly trilateral. They cannot be held in Spain and in Britain only. It is something the Gibraltar governent should take a stand on.

JUNTA

Meanwhile, a Junta spokesman has said: We are in! But No.6 Convent Place has explained that: They are out! It all depends what each is referring to, it seems.

If you thought there was a trilateral process only you are wrong. That's what No.6 said yesterday. There are two separate processes.

PROCESS NUMBER ONE: That is the 'Cooperation Committee', otherwise known in Spanish as the 'Comision Mixta de Colaboracion'. This was established between the Gibraltar Government and the Mancomunidad de Municipios. The Gibraltar Government would have no objection of the Junta getting involved at that level of things. It must not be forgotten that the Junta thinks that the Mancomunidad has no competence to get involved in some of the things they have been getting involved in, which adds spice to it all.

PROCESS NUMBER TWO: Now, that's something else. This process, says No.6, is between the Governments of Spain, Gibraltar and the United Kingdom...in that order. And to make it clear to the Junta, they add: This process does not envisage the addition of any further parties.

IN FULL!

In case it makes things any clearer, this is the full text of a statement issued yesterday by the Gibraltar Government. Read it carefully:

"Following recent commentary in the Spanish Press the Government would like to remind people that formal dialogue with Spain currently takes place under two distinct and separate processes.

"The first, is the Comision Mixta de Colaboracion, which was established between the Gibraltar Government and the Mancomunidad de Municipios del Campo de Gibraltar, relates to cross border dialogue. Although established between GoG and the Mancomunidad, the Gibraltar Government would welcome the participation in that Comision Mixta by the Junta de Andalucia. Although this matter has not been formally considered or agreed by the Comision, the Gibraltar Government would certainly support it and agree to it if it is proposed.

"The second, distinct process of dialogue is the Tripartite Forum. This process is between the Governments of Spain, Gibraltar and the United Kingdom. The Agreement establishing it does not envisage the addition of any further parties.

"No date or venue for the next meeting of the Trilateral Process has yet been fixed. The three parties are presently considering the possibility of a meeting in late May.

"In the meantime, and contrary to some reports, the work of the Trilateral Process has not been suspended during the UK elections. Work has continued in relation to telephones and the Airport."

The suspense heightens...

It takes Spain 20 years to plan 'red' and 'green' channels at the aduana

It has taken the Spanish Government 20 years to plan 'red' and 'green' channels on their side of the frontier.

They first said they would do this prior to the re-opening of the frontier in 1985, to the extent that such signs were painted on a placard in the aduana. But in practice, everyone crossing the border was deemed to be 'red'.

Now, the idea is that if you have something to declare you go through the 'red' channel, and if you don't, you go through the 'green' channel.

Such a system has been in operation on the Gibraltar side at all times.

Matters concerning the frontier were discussed last week at a meeting in Madrid attended by representatives from Spanish customs, National Police, Civil Guards and the Interior ministry. They plan to reduce or to eliminate the unecessary crossing times affecting everyone crossing the frontier.

It has long been suggested by Gibraltar sources that the answer to the delays is to have more points of entry and exit, as well as more personnel.

Escalation of MOD dispute: Unions serve legal claim on MOD

In an escalation of the MOD dispute, the unions yesterday served a legal claim on the MOD. The unions involved were the TGWU/ACTS and Prospect.

The unions say they have been forced to seek a court remedy because the MOD has "improperly persisted in contractorisation."

The MOD are also accused of failing to comply with terms of its employees' contracts.

The MOD also wishes to limit its consultation to implementation of contractorisation and no more, say the unions, in effect seeking to turn the unions into their own members 'willing executioners'.

This is THE FULL TEXT of a statement issued by the unions:

This morning, in an escalation of the dispute over contractorisation, a legal claim was served on the MOD by TGWU/ACTS and Prospect.

The Unions have been forced to seek a court remedy because the MOD has improperly persisted in contractorisation by:

(a) failing to provide sufficient and accurate information at the right time; and

(b) by refusing to engage in real and meaningful negotiations starting when plans for contractorisation were being put together and continuing throughout the process the MOD’s actions have been in breach of sections of the Employment Ordinance giving effect to European law rights of workers in the context of the transfer of an undertaking, as well as of constitutional and human rights which protects the employees.

In addition, the MOD has failed to comply with terms of its employees’ contracts. Those contracts incorporate a process of consultation which the MOD is obliged to follow, instead it has sought to bypass it.

The MOD wishes to limit its consultation to implementation of contractorisation and no more, in effect, seeking to turn the Unions into their own members “willing executioners”.

It is the Unions’ firm stance that they will not be unlawfully co-opted in this way and that the MOD will instead be made to do its duty under the law.

The Unions emphasize that the failure to inform and consult property has already given rise to real detrimental effects on some of the employees and, if left unchecked, will go on to do more.

The Unions are asking the court to impose a remedy which will cause the MOD to:-

(a) Stop the contractorisation;

(b) Withdraw the letters it has sent to employees telling them that their jobs are ‘in scope’ to be transferred to a contractor (often, in breach of the Employment Ordinance, at a lower grade than the one they are currently at) and all other communications relating to contractorisation;

(c) Go back to the very start of the whole process and involve the Unions throughout in seeking ways to achieve the efficiency outcomes it is looking for.

It is still open to the MOD to acknowledge its mistake and do what the laws says it should, without the wasteful expense of a court trial.

The Unions invite the MOD to see sense and to go back to working together. In that way, gains might be achieved which will be benefit the MOD, its employees and the economy and people of Gibraltar as a whole.

Bank building evacuated in bomb scare

by PANORAMA reporter

A bag containing rubbish was the source of a bomb scare yesterday afternoon, which led to the building housing the Royal Bank of Scotland and other businesses having to be evacuated.

The bag was found outside the building, said police. No one claimed ownership, so it was treated as suspect.

Normal procedures were adopted. The bank building was evacuated, roads were closed and the anti-bomb team attended. The bag was blown up.

The whole episode lasted around two hours.

Police cars were alerted and diverted to the scene of the suspected bomb. They went to the area at great speed.

There were long traffic queues, but in the end it was just a scare. Just as well.

Gibraltar will have to show its teeth to the MOD, says Opposition spokesman on employment

The MOD's deductions from employee's wages for their support of the demonstration held on 1st March has led to a reaction from the Opposition.

"Frankly the attitude of the MOD is unacceptable.

“The people who demonstrated did so out of a desire to protect their jobs and livelihoods.

The demonstration was designed to impress the workers' strength of feeling on the visitors to Gibraltar who are responsible for the ongoing process of contractarisation," said employment spokesman Fabian Picardo (pictured).

He added: "To deduct an hour's pay from the workers for defending their jobs, and thereby in effect expressing a desire to see a continued, strong MOD presence on the Rock, is simply astounding.

If what the MOD is trying to do is pick a fight by behaving in this manner, they may yet live to regret it.

"It is becoming increasingly clear that Gibraltar is going to have to show the MOD its teeth.

“The workers and the unions can count on us in the Opposition to do whatever they think is necessary to protect their jobs."

PHOTOS

The fact that the MOD has been photographing the demonstrators also attracted a comment from Mr Picardo who stated: "As for the photo-graphing of protestors, that is really no more than a transparent attempt to intimidate the demonstrators. In this respect I think that the MOD is really "losing the plot".

What threat is it anyway to the employees to photograph them as protestors when it is proposed that they are soon to be sacked from the MOD?

The fact is that it is the MOD that must understand that it and its officers in Gibraltar are the ones under scrutiny - not the men and women of the workforce that are properly and lawfully defending their jobs," he said.

ERODED

And added: "The MOD has to realise that it is doing business in Gibraltar subject to our trade union legislation and not in the UK where union rights have been substantially eroded.

The sooner that the defence establish-ment here wakes up to that the better! Our message to the MOD is clear - you can photograph the workers as much as you like, but we are watching every move you make!"

Political pandemonium provoked by PANORAMA POLL

Yesterday's PANORAMA public opinion poll has caused a major stir in political circles - pandemonium as someone put it!

A PANORAMA poll was first to detect that the GSD had overtaken the GSLP - that was ten years ago, five months ahead of the 1996 election which the GSD actually won. Since then, all polls had put the GSD ahead. Now, for the first time in a decade, it is the GSLP/Liberal Alliance that overtakes the GSD.

GSD popularity had gone down from 58% to 51% when comparing the last two general elections. There is now a further downtrend of 7% as predicted by the poll.

REACTIONS

Questioned by GBC, Opposition leader Joe Bossano said that the poll results would not change the way they conduct themselves in opposition and would not stop them highlighting the government's shortcomings.

The results, he added, "vindicate entirely" the Opposition's criticisms that the Government has no mandate to implement increases which include water and electricity charges. People should have been told that Government was facing a deficit during the election campaign and in the 2003 manifesto.

Had the increases been announced then, the GSD would not have got into Government.

For his part, Labour leader Daniel Feetham told GBC that "people will decide at the next general election and not in a poll."

'MERGER'

Christine Podesta reported on GBC last night that there have been "plenty of rumours of a merger between Labour and the GSD, with the Labour leader Daniel Feetham having gone to the UN with the Chief Minister twice. The rumours could further be encouraged by the fact that Labour has been very quiet, in fact inactive, over the past months."

UPBEAT

Reacting to its showing of 2.7 percent in the PANORAMA poll, the Reform Party said it was actually quite cheerful. "One way to look at it is that it's the best score we've ever had to date. In fact, it's more than twice the percentage we've ever had before in any local opinion poll or actual House of Assembly election " said Party Leader Lyana Armstrong-Emery.

In a statement yesterday, she added: "Therefore, if anything, we're twice as optimistic and twice as determined today as we were yesterday.

In politics being right is ultimately more important than being popular of course but we're heading in the right direction to be both!"

Oil search in the Strait

A Spanish oil company, Repsol, has been given permission by the Spanish government to start drilling for oil in the strait of Gibraltar. This will begin next month.

The principal area for the oil exploration is that near Alboran sea which is not far from Gibraltar.

Jorge Saez, who is responsible for marine ecosystems for a Cadiz ecology group, has told the newsagency Europa Press that the Spanish environment ministry should put an end to this plan by prohibiting Repsol from proceeding with the oil exploration. His objections are prompted by what he terms are threats to marine life.

Chief Minister in London for pensions talks

Community Care on agenda

The Chief Minister left Gibraltar yesterday evening for discussions at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about the British Government's formal response to the European Commission's recent letter inviting the UK to comment on its observations on the nature of Community Care payments.

A statement from No.6 Convent Place added: "As the Government said last week, the EC Commission has not, at this stage, made any ultimatum or initiated any legal proceedings relating to Spanish pensions or Community Care. If such proceedings materialise in the future they will be robustly resisted by the appropriate parties."

The Chief Minister is accompanied by Chief Secretary Ernest Montado and returns today.

"CONDEMNS"

Last Friday, the Government issued a Press release condemning both the GSLP Opposition and the Mayor of La Linea for their "manipulative and misleading use of the Spanish Pensions issue for political purposes at the expense of unnecessary anxiety (in the case of the GSLP) and false expectation (in the case of the Mayor of La Linea)."

On his return from Brussels the Mayor of La Linea had said: - "The ultimatum extended to Britain by the European Commission in March expires in a fortnight. The deadline referred to the need to modify current legislation on Gibraltar's social assistance payments considered discriminatory to Spanish workers because of the residency required."

Sr Juarez could not have been told this by the EU Commission, because it is simply not true, said No.6.

"DOUBTS"

It added that on 21st March 2005 the European Commission had written to the British Government saying that "serious doubt" remained in its mind related to Community Care's nature as a "social advantage linked to the worker's conditions" and alleged discrimination in relation thereto.

The letter invites the UK to submit its observations on that issue within 2 months, as required by EU procedure. This expires this week. The letter then goes on to say that after examining these observations, or if no observations have been submitted within 2 months, "the Commission may, if appropriate, issue a Reasoned Opinion on the matter".

Go-ahead given for MOD healthcare contract in Gib

The MOD is expected to let the contract for building a new Integrated Health Facility at Devil's Tower Camp in August so that building work can get underway as soon as possible. It is aimed to have the new facility up and running by autumn 2007.

The new healthcare facility will bring the current capabilities at the Royal Naval Hospital and the Joint Medical and Dental Unit under one roof. It will also mean that the current buildings are expected to be handed over to the Government of Gibraltar as soon as practicable once the new building is fully operational.

Commodore Allan Adair, Commander British Forces Gibraltar has welcomed confirmation of the go-ahead.

"This is not only good news for our people based in Gibraltar but for the entire population," he said. "The Royal Naval Hospital and the Joint Medical and Dental Unit have served us well but it makes more sense to be able to have both capabilities in a single Health Centre under one roof. This means that we can release the existing buildings to the Government of Gibraltar and is welcome evidence of our continuing operational commitment to Gibraltar."

GSLP/Liberal Alliance ahead in dramatic poll result

If a general election took place today it would not be won by the GSD. That is the dramatic result of a public opinion poll organised by the daily PANORAMA.

The poll puts the GSLP/ Liberal Alliance ahead with 48.7%, with the GSD trailing behind with 44.1%.

The poll confirms that any election today would again be a two-horse race, with both the Labour and Reform parties not in the running.

Labour secures Just 4.5% while Reform are at 2.7%.

The poll was carried out over the last 10 days using the same scientific methods that have been used in PANORAMA polls for nearly 30 years, since we pioneered opinion polls in Gibraltar. We are therefore confident that it represents public opinion at this point in time. With a sample of around 1,500 used in a large country like the

UK, our 500-plus returns are more than enough to ensure accuracy.

Our public opinion polls have correctly forecast the winners of all elections held since 1976, acquiring a reputation and prestige for accurately forecasting trends and events.

The present poll records a swing away from the GSD of 7% when compared with the 2003 general election, held just 18 months ago. It records an upsurge of nearly 9% for the Alliance.

Third parties often do much better in an opinion poll than in an election proper when the question of polarisation sets in. The poor showing of Labour and Reform means they would have to climb a very high mountain to get anywhere in electoral terms.

Passing or permanent?

When a PANORAMA poll comes up with a dramatic result, there is a tendency for some of those adversely affected to express disbelief - but the poll is later proved right!

At the time when our first poll was published in 1976 ahead of a general election, there was a strong body of political opinion suggesting that the AACR were about to get ousted. Our poll, however, said the AACR would win - and they did win!

Two years before the GSLP took over all the seats in the Opposition a PANORAMA poll had already predicted that they had become the second political force. At the time a party called the DPBG had 6 seats in the Opposition and the GSLP had just one. When the election came, the DPBG were indeed wiped out of the House of Assembly and the GSLP gained all seven seats.

Two months before the 1988 general election we forecast a landslide win for the GSLP, ousting the long-established AACR from power. And it happened - we said they would get 57% of the votes, they got 58%!

In December 1995. five months before the 1996 general election, there was another dramatic result when our poll showed that the GSD had overtaken the GSLP, which at the time enjoyed 73% of the votes. When the election came, the GSD won!

PROTEST...

Today's poll comes up with another dramatic result, which some people might find difficult to accept. Certainly, we are convinced the poll result is an accurate reflection of public opinion at this point in time.

Some will ask: Is it a passing or a permanent protest against the GSD?

It is evident that there are a number of important issues causing increasing concern, which poll participants have themselves identified.

CONCERN

They can be summarised as follows:

1. THE SPANISH QUESTION, and fears of the possibility of concessions on matters such as sovereignty or the airport,linked to tripartite talks

2. LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSES, with concern that expensive bouses keep being built for the rich and for outsiders, but no affordable houses for the average Gibraltarian and other residents.

3. COST OF LIVING going up, even essential commodities including water/electricity etc, making it increasingly difficult to live in Gibraltar and for businesses to be able to remain competitive with Spain, compounded by economic problems.

4. AUTOCRATIC STYLE OF GOVERNMENT - on this point harsher words are being used by poll participants to put across the public perception.

A myriad of diverse issues of concern appears to be generating new thinking and establishing new standpoints, with the poll translating all this into a protest vote against the GSD to the extent that the poll predicts a loss of majority for them if an election took place today.

Politicians and others will ask: Is this a passing protest or a permanent protest? Time will tell.

Will Alexander be great for Gibraltar?

by JOE GARCIA

Battered prime minister Tony Blair has axed Dennis MacShane as Minister for Europe as part of his government reshuffle. The new Minister for Europe is Douglas Alexander, who has been a Foreign Office and DTI trade minister.

Will Alexander be great for Gibraltar?

That is the question most people here will ask, with the joint sovereignty plan promoted by the Blair/Straw/Hain triumvirate still fresh in most peoples' minds.

The joint sovereignty plan has not been killed off and remains in a Foreign Office pigeon hole. However, if the likelihood of it being revived in the short term was seen as a non-starter by UK sources before the election, such a possibility is now further discounted given the reduced Labour majority in the new parliament.

With a majority of 66, it only takes 34 rebels to vote against the government and successfully stop any unsavoury deal.

SUPPORTERS

Thus, Labour's reduced majority increases hope for Gibraltar's cause. Friends and supporters like Lindsay Hoyle, Andrew Rossindel and Simon Hughes have been re-elected.

However, the principal pro-deal ministers remain in the Cabinet, so Gibraltar must not drop its guard.

There is also the internal strife over Blair's future as prime minister, with Chancellor Gordon Brown poised to take over at some point in the new parliament.

This is not to say that a Brown-lead government would be more sympathetic to the plight of the people of Gibraltar.

The new Europe minister Mr Alexander is a protege of Gordon Brown. They have known each other since their student days in their native Scotland.

"In a sign of the Chancellor's renewed influence, Mr Alexander will be attending the weekly Cabinet meetings" said a report.

But it all depends on which side of the political fence one is in to see things differently.

Said another report: "Putting Douglas Alexander into cabinet has in effect tied the Brown camp to the outcome of next year's EU constitution referendum - thwarting the hopes of some backbenchers that if the government lost it, Blair would have to resign early."

REFERENDUM

As Europe minister Mr Alexander's main job is seen as campaigning to win the EU referendum.

Mr Alexander was returned with a sizeable majority at his Paisley constituency. But already in the 2001 election he had played a leading role in delivering Labour's second general election victory, his intellect and presentational skills being noted.

He has been a high flyer. He first secured a government post after the 2001 election in trade and industry, becoming the youngest minister. He has also been minister of state in the Cabinet Office.

His interest in politics goes back to the days, in 1990,when he started to work as a researcher - for Gordon Brown.

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