A final statement from the PDP in which the party explains its decision to end its involvement in local politics: "...the reality is that many people have sacrificed enormous amounts of time and other resources over 7 years without significant electoral progress and after 3 elections, it is clear that our current political system makes no room for a 3rd party, however well delivered or received is their message. The PDP have never sought to be a pressure group and in the circumstances, the executive have by overwhelming majority recommended to its membership that the party be wound up with effect from the 31st August 2013."

The full statement is as follows:

The executive of the PDP met on the 22nd July 2013 to discuss the outcome of the recent by-election held on the 4th July 2013.

It is clear that the turnout of the by-election, at 46% of the electorate, was low both by comparison to the previous by-election held in 1999 where it was 48% and the expectations given by both parties represented in Parliament which contested the election. The party suspects that part of the reason was the fact that this by-election was in July and, by its nature, was not determining who would govern Gibraltar during the next few years. However, the PDP also suspects that part of the reason was the fact that, despite the efforts of all candidates to talk about the issues and avoid what has become the common currency of Gibraltar politics, namely negativity, the reality is this election very quickly became a theatre of accusation and counter-accusation. The PDP believes that this unhelpful engagement turned people off voting and it came as no surprise that there was both a low turnout and a considerable number of blank votes. Moreover, the almost extreme and tribal approach to issues, including those relating to the “Debt Debate” and the Sunborn Hotel project, polarised those who did vote to vote for the two main parties.

It should concern both the GSLP/Liberals that in essence only 23% of the electorate voted for the Government and equally the GSD, with just over 18% of the electorate having voted for them as an alternative. The PDP believes it is not a proud day for any political party, including the PDP, that there was such a low turnout irrespective of the nature of the election and the time of year.

The PDP hopes that all politicians and would-be politicians reflect on this result and do what they can in the future to engage the electorate in a more positive democratic process and work together constructively to encourage higher future turnouts. Particularly in the face of the latest hostilities from Spain’s PP Government it is vital that we unite where possible as division can only assist those who would see us harmed.

The PDP feels this can only be achieved by focussing on policy and not on personalising issues. The party believes Gibraltar as a whole would benefit by a more moderate and measured approach, where differences are rightfully aired so that there are alternatives, without the acrimony that seems all too evident between the main two political parties. This objective, the PDP believes, should be foremost in the minds of those who the Chief Minister invites to form part of the select committee tasked with considering possible parliamentary and democratic reform.

However, notwithstanding the concerns about turnout and the nature of politics in Gibraltar today, the PDP makes no excuses whatsoever for its poor showing in what was a very accurate poll. In fact, arguably given the PDP’s message since its inception for constructive and moderate politics, the negative engagement by Government and Opposition during this election should have increased the possible vote for the PDP. It did not and no spin can ignore this reality.

The PDP and its leader received very positive reaction during the by-election campaign and since about the nature of its campaign and its efforts to introduce a more united, a more mature and a more moderate politics into Gibraltar. Most of the comments encouraged the PDP to continue its existence and is very grateful for those kind comments. However, most positive reaction was coupled with an explanation as to how, irrespective of the campaign, the voter has always voted one way or another and felt unable to change their votes.

The PDP felt it had a good campaign and that its candidate and leader, Nick Cruz, was constructive, clear and certainly did his best for the party.

In the previous two elections, specifically in 2011 under its previous leader Keith Azopardi, the party also felt it had campaigned well and that the party’s candidates did their best in all aspects.

In the circumstances, the only sensible conclusion is not to make excuses but simply to recognise that despite its efforts and the considerable sacrifice, the party, under the leadership of former Leader Keith Azopardi and current Leader Nick Cruz, has been unable to alter voting patterns significantly over 3 different electoral tests over 7 years.

Nick Cruz and other senior party members made it clear during the campaign that in the context of a change of the political landscape, which occurred with Sir Peter Caruana’s decision to step down as leader of the GSD and more specifically in the context of a by-election, this was the perfect electoral test. Mr Cruz described this election as “D-Day” for the PDP and that in the absence of significant progress, he and the Party would have to consider their future. Mr Cruz on the night of the election recognised that 7% of the popular vote was progress on previous results, but not a sensible platform to lead to Parliament and ultimately Government. Moreover, in the context of a general election there was a real risk that the vote would polarise in a manner to reduce that support, an opinion which the PDP executive echoes.

The PDP was established by the current and previous executive to offer Gibraltar an alternative across a range of policy areas from a fresh new perspective. These policies were often visionary, aspirational and not constrained by historical party constraints or limitations. The PDP’s policies have often found resonance in the evolution of policies of the other parties. The clearest example of this was the PDP’s flagship policy on Democratic and Parliamentary Reform. Before the party’s creation in 2006, the need for reform was hardly discussed or recognised. It is significant to point out that style of government dominated the last General Election, featuring in all the parties’ manifestos and that action has been taken by the current Government, in the form of the Commission on Democratic and Parliamentary Reform, and in the establishment of a cross party Select Committee. The PDP is proud to have led the equality debate, specifically with regards long term residents such as the Moroccan community. It is pleased that its position on the economy and specifically the need to reduce corporate tax to 10% and personal tax reflected in its 2007 manifestos, have been adopted. It has raised the profile of the education agenda, and the question of Government priorities. It has led the way on possible constitutional reform and has proffered licencing solutions to the fishing dispute that are now Government policy. The PDP, despite not achieving electoral success, has often led constructively and others have followed.

However, the reality is that many people have sacrificed enormous amounts of time and other resources over 7 years without significant electoral progress and after 3 elections, it is clear that our current political system makes no room for a 3rd party, however well delivered or received is their message. The PDP have never sought to be a pressure group and in the circumstances, the executive have by overwhelming majority recommended to its membership that the party be wound up with effect from the 31st August 2013.

The party will, as a last series of steps, write to the Leaders of the other political parties and offer to explain any of its policies; ideas should those parties feel that this would be of any benefit to their own policy development. It will donate all current party funds after settling all outstanding obligations to local charities through a donation to next year’s GBC Open Day.

The executive would like to take the opportunity to express its heartfelt gratitude to the following:

The PDP’s current and past members;

The PDP’s activists;

The PDP’s supporters and voters during the last 3 elections;

Those past and present who have contributed their time and financial assistance to the PDP political project;

The Media who have allowed the PDP to convey its message;

The current and past Governments and Opposition and the GSLP/Liberals and GSD  for their engagement in the political process; The unions and commercial bodies and the numerous associations and bodies that have given their time to the party over 7 years to assist the formulation of the PDP’s policies;

The Governors past and present and the members of the FCO that have interacted with the PDP;

The electorate generally for having at the very least listened, irrespective of whether they felt they could give their support;

Lastly and importantly the families of those involved in the PDP who have supported those involved unreservedly.

Finally, the PDP encourage all its executive and members to maintain their interest in local politics and remain involved in the process to whatever degree they can in order to continue to convey its constructive message after the dissolution of the Party. This will be the last PDP press release. Thank you.