Last week the GSD held their AGM where the executive voted on the Life Membership of the Party Executive on  former Leader and Leader of the Opposition Daniel Feetham. 

A statement from the GSD follows below:

The GSD AGM on Thursday night saw a night of internal democracy with elections to its Party Executive, a Motion for  the Life Membership of the Executive and the Party Leader laying out a transformative vision for a brighter future. 

GSD Leader, Keith Azopardi, set out the GSD’s Vision for Change– a vision to make Gibraltar proud again. In it he called  for a Gibraltar of fairness and opportunity for all, where no-one is left behind and where there are robust controls on  waste, abuse and corruption. 

He said: “We promise you the hope of the change that Gibraltar needs. A beacon of hope on the issues that matter to  you – a brighter future for you and your families. We are excited to deliver that change… We cannot wait for an election  that transforms that clamour for change into a reality so that finally we can get Gibraltar back on track. I have never  been more determined to achieve that change – to finish the journey we started those years ago.” 

Mr Azopardi highlighted the Openshaw Report findings and the Principal Auditor Report as well as the Government’s  reaction to both events. Those separate cases show a GSLP Government that is out of control. The McGrail Inquiry has  shown the inability to navigate conflicts of interest and the grossly improper action of the Chief Minister now condoned  and backed by all Ministers. The way they handled the Principal Auditor’s Report shows a Government intolerant to  criticism from a respected senior civil servant only because he was doing his job and had highlighted legitimate  questions on financial transactions. There are insufficient controls on waste and abuse. While people struggle, special  interests run uncontrolled. All this matters because it cheats the citizen of resources that could provide more for them and their families. 

In his speech Mr Azopardi set out a vision for a modern Gibraltar: 

“…which is fair; where there is opportunity for all – not just the privileged few. A Gibraltar which doesn’t leave people  behind. A Gibraltar that takes care of all its people –not just some of the people.  

A skilled, technologically advanced Gibraltar – with a long-term vision for our future. A strategic social, economic and  urban development plan for the future. A secure Gibraltar where you can feel safe and our essential services and Police  are valued and respected again.  

A place where our people can live and afford to live; where your civil liberties and rights are protected. A place where  Gibraltarians overseas can return safe in the knowledge that this will always be their home and they will not be priced  out of a return to their birthplace.  

A Gibraltar that carefully navigates the post-Treaty future; that retains its unique sense of identity and culture within  a wider British, Commonwealth and European family of nations. A Gibraltar that is free to make its own decisions, run  its affairs and which we call our own. A Gibraltar that we can all be proud of again.” 

In his contribution Damon Bossino highlighted a number of failings of the Government touching also on the GSLP  Government’s broken promises on Housing given the massive delays in promised housing projects like Bob Peliza Mews and Chatham Views that are likely to be completing well over a decade after they were promised. Mr Bossino  also touched on the opaque transactions being structured from Savings Bank monies.  

He added: “We will remind them of the white elephant that the Rooke Nursing Home is fast becoming, after an  investment of £38M …We will remind them of the millions of pounds that are being lost to the public purse due to rental contracts entered into as a result of moving Government departments from Government owned premises to  private properties like at Queensway or Leanse Place… We will remind them of the lack of forward planning. We see  this in the area of special needs where St Martin’s school was built too small, where there are still no firm commitments  on a new St Bernadette’s and no real strategy for elderly care.”  

On the night GSD Members overwhelmingly backed the Motion to confer Life Membership of the Party Executive on  former Leader and Leader of the Opposition Daniel Feetham KC which was proposed by Mr Azopardi. 

Mr Feetham said: “I’m rather lost for words on this. It is a great honour which means a lot. I am very grateful to Party  Members who have come out in numbers to back this proposal and also to the Executive for supporting the proposal.  I will continue my role in the Executive providing advice as necessary on the big issues of the day.” 

The result of the second round of GSD Executive Elections was that the following eight candidates were elected: Elliott  Phillips, Robert Azopardi, Nick Cruz, Julian Celecia, Sean Ballester, Jamie Rocca, Brian Richardson and Nuhaila Mkerref.  They will join those elected in Round 1 in March together with MPs and the small number of co-opted and Life  Members in the over 30-strong Party Executive. 

Mr Azopardi said: “I congratulate those elected after this process and thank all who came forward to stand at these  elections and were, on this occasion, unsuccessful. I am grateful to all candidates for their support and dedication to  the GSD and the movement for change that we have built. These contested elections, once again, show the vibrancy  and dynamism of this Party and the desire to get involved. As Executive elections are now not next due till 2028 this  will be the body that will be in place when the next general elections are called. We are excited to continue our work  with this refreshed Executive to achieve change at the next election.”