By Mark Montegriffo

The past seven days have been full of shocks in the political world. From the unprecedented decision by the Gibraltar Social Democrats Opposition to vote against the Appropriation Bill, the withdrawal from the party whip by Lawrence Llamas and his subsequent resignation from the GSD, and now Daniel Feetham’s stepping down as GSD leader. Opposition politics appears to be in crisis.

Feetham’s emotional press conference was indicative of the struggles of opposition politics and the strains that it almost inevitably causes on one’s personal and professional life. He faced the media with courage and dignity as someone who had the guts to take on perhaps the toughest challenge in local politics in recent memory. Leading the GSD after 16 years of success under Sir Peter Caruana would have been a poisoned chalice for anybody and Feetham discharged the role with a noble and selfless bravery at the best and worst of times. This is something one must admit regardless of their position on the political spectrum or feelings of his leadership style.

Daniel Feetham led as Daniel Feetham – a fighter come rain or shine. He dared to be a Daniel. He was instrumental in shifting public finances and transparency back into mainstream debate at a time when this discussion is more crucial than ever. This, one imagines, will be his legacy as GSD leader, and one that any politician would be immensely proud of.

With an admittedly tough few years as leader, Feetham withstood heavy criticism and several resignations. It is safe to say that he fought through these criticisms out of duty to the party, even when it might have put others at risk. Politics is everywhere but that does not mean that politics is the be all and end all. His heartfelt admission that family now comes first is one that most people with political lives are forced to accept, as Damon Bossino did when he withdrew from the line-up before the 2015 election.

There is no shame in this realisation; quite the opposite. At this time, I look back at the night of the GSD leadership election that the two fought. I remember vividly being at the Horseshoe with a couple of friends and both of them before the vote was about to take place in the GSD headquarters. I do not doubt that Feetham knew that he was giving up so much in taking on the role as leader, certainly way more than I would have been able to figure out back then. But he took it on regardless because the duty for Gibraltar and the party was too high to ignore. It is a shame that Feetham steps down without having led the GSD to an election victory, but it would be a further shame if he were to step down from parliament altogether as he has been an invaluable contributor to the House for a decade. I wish him and his family the best.

It would be irresponsible, however, to let pass under the radar quite what this stepping down means in political terms for Gibraltar. There is currently, in no uncertain terms, a crisis of opposition. Roy Clinton takes an interim leadership role but without an elected leader and with a diminished slate of seats in the House, the Opposition is stripped to its bare bones. Now Independent MPs Marlene Hassan Nahon and Lawrence Llamas are for the moment without a political home and machinery, something they need to find or create sooner rather than later. As things stand, the main beneficiary of this is the GSLP/Liberals and Fabian Picardo. Opposition forces must mobilise with haste if any credible challenge against the Government party is to be launched with a view towards the next general election. Any unnecessary long-term fragmentation will do a disservice to the strength of Gibraltar’s democracy if it leads to a Government with a virtual free hand in all aspects of legislation and policy.

With the political climate in the context of Brexit, the public finances debate and an Opposition in flux, the need for constructive and bold voices has never been more imperative. Just as Feetham stood up and made himself be counted when he decided to put his name for leadership of the GSD in 2013, now the individuals that are going to play pivotal roles in our politics for years to come must stand up and be counted themselves. Out of this instability in Opposition politics must come a reinvigorated, inspiring and unifying way of doing politics; credibly and indefatigably challenging the Government of the day on the core issues that are perceived to be holding Gibraltar back and how we can take Gibraltar forward. Without this new movement, opposition politics will not be steered in a new direction.