Jun 15 - Freedom Of The City For Sir Joe - Parliamentary Motion Passed
A Parliamentary motion to award Sir Joe Bossano the Freedom of the City of Gibraltar has been passed. Nine Government ministers voted in favour and Sir Joe and all opposition MPs abstained.
The GSD and Independent MP Marlene Hassan Nahon said Sir Joe deserved the Freedom of the City but argued that this should only be bestowed once he ceases to be a Minister or MP.
Here’s what the Chief Minister said earlier this afternoon in Parliament:
“Sir Joe Bossano's political trajectory is well known to everyone in this community.
“Yet for the sake of the record of Hansard, Mr Speaker, it is right that I should record some of what we all know so that it is known in perpetuity in the record of the proceedings of this House and in the record of the democratic proceedings of this Nation of ours.
“Joseph (Joe) John Bossano stands out as the longest serving Parliamentarian in Gibraltar’s political history.
“Indeed, it is said, one of the longest serving Parliamentarians across the Commonwealth.
“He continues to serve over an unbroken period, to date, of over 46 years.
“That longevity marks a continuous period of 8 years (1988 to 1996) as Chief Minister, almost 20 years (between 1984 and 1988, and 1996 to 2011) as Leader of the Opposition and, since 2011, as Minister responsible primarily for Economic Development.
“His contribution to the political emancipation and economic and social development of Gibraltar is as extensive as it is impressive.
“This record of public service extends beyond the political.
“He coupled entry into Parliament in 1972 with his role as a leader in the Transport and General Worker’s Union.
He was instrumental in organising and leading the campaign for parity of wages and conditions between the local workforce and UK based workers in a Gibraltar economy then dominated by the UK Ministry of Defence presence (employing over 50% of the labour force), notably in the former Royal Naval Dockyard.
“That campaign started in 1972 and was finally settled in 1978, despite constant and sometimes hostile opposition from the then UK Government, resulting in an end to long established wage discrimination.
“Mr Speaker I always find of great interest the declassified material of the 70s which reflects how the United Kingdom saw this firebrand of a politician who refused to be cowed and refused to take no for an answer!
“This contribution to trade unionism in Gibraltar between 1972 and 1988 is unequalled in terms of improving the well-being of the working and middle classes of Gibraltar.
“This extends beyond the parity issue as Joe’s work also secured better conditions of employment in both the public and private sectors for employees, both in negotiated settlements and in resolution of countless claims from aggrieved individuals in surgeries which required constant, daily attention.
“He never turned people down, attending to their problems at all times.
“Mr Speaker, that continues to be the case with Sir Joe holding clinics every weekend in his usual, selfless style.
“Joe Bossano managed that trade union role parallel to his earlier introduction to political life as a Member for Parliament.
“He quickly established a reputation for his interventions in the Parliament Chamber on economic and public finance issues.
“Indeed, in 1973, as a Minister in the AACR Government, you welcomed that – although from the Opposition benches opposite you – a Gibraltarian was able to deliver an in depth economic analysis for the first time.
“That reputation was enhanced and proven later when, after forming and leading his own political party, The Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party in 1976, he won the General Election in 1988 becoming Chief Minister.
“Straightaway, he introduced the formation of a Government comprising full-time Ministers, dedicated exclusively to the running of Gibraltar’s affairs.
“Until then Gibraltar’s administration had largely been governed on the basis of part-time Ministers. This change in the composition and style of Government was significant.
“Aside from elevating the role and commitment of Gibraltarian politicians in the running their country’s affairs, it was ushered at a time of massive change and challenge for Gibraltar.
“The frontier with Spain had been fully opened a few years earlier in 1985 coinciding with the closure of the Royal Naval Dockyard, then followed by its failing commercialisation.
“This resulted in high unemployment with all its social consequences and a pressing need for economic diversification.
“Gibraltar’s resources were extremely limited given its small land size, negligible lack of primary industry and limited scope for inward investment.
“Yet, as Chief Minister from 1988 to 1996, Joe Bossano transformed the economy. That alone is a manifestly remarkable achievement.
“With carefully managed land reclamation, a large infrastructure base was created resulting in new economic activity, attracting new commercial business.
“The public utilities were commercialised bringing in US/UK partnerships introducing higher technology and efficiency.
“This, in turn brought in new banking and insurance entities attracted by effective marketing of Gibraltar’s EU position.
“This was followed by the entry of major international gaming companies under strict licensing conditions.
“At the same time, part of the land reclaimed, funded by the profit of the other part sold for commercial use, was allocated for public housing development sold on a co-ownership basis.
“That scheme virtually resolved the chronic housing problem which Gibraltar had suffered for decades.
“This was boosted by the negotiation of a Lands Agreement with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 1995 which resulted in the transfer of MoD land and properties all of which were exploited for further commercial and housing development.
“The home ownership ratio of Gibraltar surged from 8% to over 50% during Joe Bossano’s tenure in office as Chief Minister with all the social and economic benefits which flowed from it.
“It is often said that, as a result, Joe created Gibraltar’s ‘middle class.’
“Having successfully diversified and strengthened the economy of Gibraltar, Joe Bossano turned his attention to the political and constitutional development of Gibraltar.
“He revived Gibraltar’s cause internationally.
“He took Gibraltar’s case “for decolonisation” and self-determination to the UN in 1993, a process which continues to date.
“This was supplemented with prolonged lobbying in the EU and the Commonwealth (notably through the CPA).
“Progressively, he achieved constitutional change with a de facto transfer of powers and responsibilities from HMG to the Gibraltar Government, enshrined later with the new 2006 Gibraltar Constitution.
“In doing so, and in opposing and form of discussion or negotiation with Spain, he became, single handedly, the driver for Gibraltar remaining staunchly British to this day.
“In terms of social and welfare development, Joe Bossano introduced a system of universal pension provision through the creation of Gibraltar Community Care, employed the long-term unemployed (considered unemployable) in Government subsidised Community Projects and introduced free scholarships for all students securing places in the UK and other Universities.
“If his current role as Minister for Economic Development, including employment until recently, he has introduced employment schemes which have virtually eliminated unemployment in Gibraltar and separately attracted significant inward investment into Gibraltar.
“Joe Bossano is a selfless man totally dedicated to Gibraltar.
“This involvement in the political life of Gibraltar is not a career.
“It is a full-time vocation in life, working seven days a week, all year.
“He has never sought any financial gain beyond his salary.
“Indeed, his tenure as Chief Minister in office was also marked by his insistence in freezing the salaries of Ministers throughout the eight years he was in office.
“He is unrivalled in his record in Parliament.
“But more importantly his record in promoting and securing the economic and social development and well-being of the people of Gibraltar, against difficult change and challenge is outstanding.
“No other Chief Minister or politician who has previously served Gibraltar in the modern era can be credited with such achievements.
“This citation is not written in preparation or anticipation of Joe Bossano’s retirement from public life.
“Joe Bossano repeatedly claims he will be standing for election until the age of 90 (he is 77). All those who know him well have no doubt that, nature willing, he will do it.
“It may seem an obsession in life but it underscores the unconditional dedication of the man to his people.
“The best recommendation for this honour may come from Joe Bossano’s principal political opponent of the last thirty years, Sir Peter Caruana QC, from his last Budget Speech, where he said (quoting from Hansard, consolidated text, 24th June 2015, p 2, line 15 onwards):
“Mr Speaker, during these 25 years most of them spent as Chief Minister, but eight or nine of them in the no less worthy role of Opposition Member of this great institution I have of course seen much change and my principal political rival, except in the latter years, the current Chief Minister was of course Joe Bossano.
Joe was, I have to say, a formidable political opponent. Formidable but always engaging and I am glad he is not in this House yet today to hear that, because I suspect he is not one taken for being eulogised and probably would enjoy them even less coming from me.
But nevertheless I think it is appropriate to mark at the end of my parliamentary career that for many of those years I have had opposite me not just a formidable partisan political rival, but also a rival who himself contributed much to the Gibraltar that we all enjoy today and whose own political career will, when it concludes, I think, stand amongst the great ones in Gibraltar’s politics.”
“I have no doubt, Mr Speaker that I will have said some things in presenting this motion which will not be agreeable to members opposite.
“But the statement I have quoted from Sir Peter, I also have no doubt, be one with which members opposite in the GSD and even the most die-hard anti-Bossano voter will agree.
“Sir Joe Bossano is a GIANT of our political life and therefore of this life of this Parliament and its predecessor House of Assembly.
“He is in no mood to retire and the party that he led from 1977 to 2011 is in no mood to see him retire.
“And the fact is that he is still as able and as agile in mind as he was in 1973 when he first made that speech on the Appropriation Bill that was a substantive contribution on economics from a Gibraltarian in this House.
“Indeed, Mr Speaker, if ever there was in my view, a man who will die with his boots on, and has no desire to retire or give way, it is Sir Joe Bossano.
“This is a man to whom any award to be bestowed on his retirement is surely an award to be bestowed posthumously.
“And as those of us who know him know that what matters most to him in his life is his family and Gibraltar we will no doubt all agree that he should have the recognition of his people, the recognition of Gibraltar, in life.
“In that way he will have an acknowledgment from friend and foe of the work that he has done. Acknowledgment of the effect on the lives of all of us of that dedication.
“From the students who have degrees and careers due to his change of the scholarship rules, many of us sitting in this House as a result.
“From the elderly who receive the Community Care cheque.
“From the families that have been built by Gibraltarians in the affordable, 50/50 homes he built from 1988.
“From those members of the Trade Union movement who he has tirelessly represented.
“From all those who have ever relied on Calpe House as a home away from home in London when they have been ill and needed a place to stay.
“And from every worker in our economy since the late seventies when the battle for parity was one.
“Every single person, Gibraltarian or otherwise, who has worked in our economy, has owed the size of their wage packet to the architect of the victory of the battle for parity.
“And finally, Mr Speaker, also acknowledgment and recognition from those of us who are proud to call Gibraltar British and who history will show, owe a huge debt of gratitude to the man who saw the Foreign Office coming.
“Whether in Strasbourg in 1977, in Lisbon in 1980, in Brussels in 1984 or on the airport in 1987, they were never able to get one past Sir Joe.
“Finally, Mr Speaker, I think all of us probably also has a story of friendship or other relationship with Sir Joe.
“I have not wanted to dwell on my personal relationship with him in presenting this motion which will for posterity reflect the reasons why this House should bestow on his our highest Civic Honour.
“But it would be remiss of me not to say record this, from the Leader of the House to the Father of the House, from one Chief Minister to a predecessor, from one Leader of the GSLP to its founder and the custodian of its ideological core.
“Without his help, his guidance and his support, I would not have had the honour of holding the offices I hold today.
“For all of those reasons, Mr Speaker, the last of which might not find much favour with Members Opposite, but something I am sure they will forgive him, I commend the motion in the terms I have earlier set out to the House.”
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