Sep 24 - Chief Minister Hosts Farewell Dinner For His Excellency The Governor Sir James Dutton
The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo hosted a farewell dinner for His Excellency the Governor Sir James Dutton and Lady Dutton at the Rock Hotel last night. Here is the full text of his speech:
Your Excellency, Lady Dutton,
Your Worship,
Members of Parliament,
Ladies & Gentlemen,
I know that I will speak for all of you when I say that this is a sad day for us all.
Jim and Liz have made many friends amongst us.
We will all miss them tremendously.
I have enjoyed Jim’s time with us and I know he has enjoyed it too.
He has been a source of wise counsel on many occasions and our differences of opinion have been few.
Indeed, I have no compunction in telling you that more often than not, behind the scenes, the position of the Governor and the Chief Minister on issues of an international dimension have been entirely identical.
Even on what some think are vexed Constitutional matters, we have both developed a very clear and common view of what the 2006 Constitution means.
Taking tea with the Queen each week is one of the perhaps more pleasant duties that the British Prime Minister fulfils.
In Gibraltar, taking lunch with the Governor each week is an equally pleasant convention that does not feel like an obligation when you have the good company of someone like Jim Dutton to enjoy.
The fact is that few will get to see the many matters on which Sir Jim has made a real and substantive contribution behind the scenes.
But I can tell you that in terms of security planning we have been able to make serious and positive progress in what we might refer to as “Quadripartite Talks” between the Convent, No6, the Police and the MOD.
Those eventualities that could occur where our law enforcement and security services might need to work together have been very well developed between us.
All of us hope such scenarios never play out.
But that work has been nudged along and enriched by the deep experience of such matters which Jim has brought to the post of Governor of Gibraltar.
He has also been a strong allay and defender of Gibraltar’s cause and has demonstrated what I might best describe as “positively Gibraltarian” frustration at some of the developments that have unfolded in his time here.
So for that reason, I know that we have definitely got under his skin and that this Rock and its people will be a permanent feature of Liz and Jim’s lives even after their departure.
In fact, I was very moved by Liz’s remarks to me last week when she told me that has made such strong friendships here that she expects to be back very soon indeed.
I do hope that is the case.
Gibraltar has long enjoyed a romance with the Royal Marine’s and Jim Dutton’s appointment as Governor rekindled that relationship.
Thank you Jim for having made the relationship stronger with your involvement in the Royal Marine’s fundraising charities, especially on the occasion of the Regiment’s three hundred and fiftieth anniversary.
They will always be very welcome here, on the Rock that is proudly represented on their cap-badges.
Finally, ladies and gentlemen, when Governors leave Gibraltar, the People will always want to reflect their affection and gratitude for their service with a gift.
Choosing the right gift is never easy.
So I hope, Sir Jim and Lady Dutton, I hope we have found something that will be a fitting reminder of your time here.
This is a fabulous newly completed painting of the front of the Convent by Michelle Stagnetto which I have no doubt you will treasure.
On behalf of all of Gibraltar, its People and its Government, thank you sincerely for your service amongst us and your friendship.
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