Sep 13 - ERG Urges UK Government to Consider George Cross for Gibraltar
Equality Rights Group has welcomed the positive response given to a Parliamentary Question at Westminster tabled by MP Oliver Colvile, a supporter of the George Cross for Gibraltar campaign, regarding the award.
‘Government Commons Speaker Leader Andrew Lansley confirmed his prior awareness of the Campaign, adding that the British Government will be giving careful consideration to this honorary award for Gibraltar,’ Chairman Felix Alvarez added.
“It is good to see that, at such an early stage of the Campaign, the matter should already have risen so high on the British Government’s agenda, and that all the hard work done so far has paid off. Nonetheless, we are fully aware that there is a long way to go still. We therefore approach this embryonic stage with cautious optimism, and a resolve to continue campaigning and pressing all the necessary buttons for the eventual success of our core goal,’ he added.
‘While the key goal of the Campaign is evident, the collateral benefits of continuing to raise awareness of Gibraltar through media and political exposure are not to be sneezed at. There will be views on one side of the debate as well as the other. We and the UK Friends of Gibraltar group have fully planned and taken into account this aspect as part of our target goals , and foresee that the matter can only gather positive momentum for Gibraltar within the UK.
‘Whatever the eventual initial response from the Cameron government when it comes, the matter is out of the bag and cannot be avoided at parliamentary or other levels any more either in Britain or elsewhere. We are prepared for all eventualities, and will remain flexible in achieving the goals we have set, which is the formal recognition of Gibraltar and its People for their long history of service and courage. A dignity the People of the Rock have fully deserved over many centuries,’ Mr Alvarez ended. ‘We look forward, in due course, to the Union movement joining the Campaign – and to Government’s and Gibraltar political parties' support, however discretely as may be necessary.’
