Manifesto 2019
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MANIFESTO 2019 Believe in a better way www.togethergibraltar.com TOGETHER GIBRALTAR Believe in a better way Election Agents: Odette Benatar, Nicholas Calamaro, John Calderon, Steven Gilbert Designed by Ivan Hernandez Published by Together Gibraltar: 230/6 Main Street, Gibraltar, GX11 1AA Printed by Easi Print, 101 New Harbours, Gibraltar GX11 1AA www.fsc.org Printed on 100% ecological stork.Chrlorine free. FSC certified. www.togethergibraltar.com #VoteTG #BeTogether #VoteWithHope CONTENTS MARLENE HASSAN NAHON 6 JOHN MONTEGRIFFO 40 Health 8 Social Services 41 Mental Health 11 Youth 42 Dementia 11 Drugs Policy 43 Foreign Policy 14 Civil Service 15 ERIKA A. POZO 44 Enhanced Democracy 17 Public Accountability 45 Employment 46 JACKIE ANDERSON 18 Education For Life 19 CRAIG SACARELLO 50 Housing For All 21 Environment & Energy 51 Sustainability 53 DANIEL GHIO 24 Animal Welfare 54 Culture 25 Sport 54 IT & E-Gov 26 NEIL SAMTANI 56 SIÂN JONES 28 Transport 57 Economy & Finance 29 The Port 60 Brexit 31 Infrastructure & Planning 60 Financial Services & Online Gaming 32 Urban Regeneration 61 KAMLESH KHUBCHAND 34 TAMSIN SUAREZ 62 Business & Commerce 35 Equality & Civil Rights 63 Tourism 36 Justice 67 Heritage 39 OUR AGENDA FOR CHANGE OUR PLAN TO TRANSFORM GIBRALTAR WITH OUR FOUR PILLARS REPRESENTING A MORE DIVERSE GIBRALTAR It is only by engaging with the community and promoting participation that the interests of the community can truly be represented. Together Gibraltar is a diverse group of people representing all sectors of Gibraltar, not the interests of a few. DEAR VOTER, You’re probably thinking: here we go again. for our membership and campaigning for funds. Another four years have passed, and it’s time for Without corporate backing, we have had less funds politicians to tell us how important we are. If in available than other parties. We have expressed power, they’ll brag about achievements and forget clear positions on difficult issues, which other to mention all their shortcomings. If in opposition, parties have shied away from in fear of backlash they’ll paint an ideal world waiting on the other side from certain voter demographics. of the ballot box. They’ll also tell you how much they love Gibraltar, how their blood flows red and white In politics being true to your values comes at a cost. and how we must all stand united, each to the beat But this is a cost we are willing to pay. of their own campaign tunes… If you do believe however, that experience and This year they’re also going to try to scare you not honesty is the most valuable quality, we have more than ever. They will try to make you afraid proved we have that too. Consider this: Together of change, push you into sticking with the status Gibraltar, in just 2 years and with one MP in quo by reminding you of Brexit; claiming it can only Parliament has already transformed our political be handled by those with their particular brand of rules of engagement more than any other party status and experience. has in a long time. We have opened up politics to higher levels of grass roots participation. We We’re here to tell you that politics is about hope. have propelled issues like gender equality, climate That if we work together, with honest dedication, we change and unfair representation to the centre of can aspire to something better. Don’t let them tell the political debate. We have highlighted how a you it’s impossible. Don’t let them convince you that toxic embrace between corporate interests and their way is the only way. government has created a corrupt system that monopolises opportunity. We are pushing parties We believe the most important value for a to become more representative, transparent and politician is honesty and Together Gibraltar democratic, raising the ethical standards for politics has invested enormously in this value from the in our community. If we can do this with one MP, beginning. We began our journey as a civil society imagine what we can do with 10. movement, inviting the entire community to discuss important issues and campaign for positive social With honesty and experience comes another change. Our membership voted to transition to fundamental political currency: Credibility. a party. We have carried out, for the first time in However, that currency rests exclusively in your Gibraltar, open and transparent primary elections hands. to select our leader and candidates. We said no to corporate donations and set up a crowdfunding This is the bit when we tell you how important you are initiative to fund our campaign, in order to keep (very) and we tell you how much we love Gibraltar corporate interests out of politics. We have spoken (we do, enormously); when we tell you how we have clearly about controversial topics, like women’s to stand united and vote with courage, hope and reproductive freedom, while other parties sat on the ambition, not with fear, and when we remind you fence. We have printed a fraction of the manifestos that we have worked tirelessly, carried ourselves that other parties have printed, because the with honesty, and proved our capacity to environment truly is one of our priorities. We have transform politics in Gibraltar for the better. tried to lead by example, every step of the way. We ask you, dear voter, to invest the currency And it has been a tough journey. Every single one of you hold in your hands in politics of honesty and these choices has made our work more difficult and participation. Don’t let them convince you that there demanding. We have had to work harder, reaching is no other way. Believe in this community. Believe out to the community, creating democratic tools in a better way. 5 MARLENE HASSAN NAHON FOREIGN HEALTH POLICY MENTAL DEMENTIA HEALTH CIVIL SERVICE ENHANCED DEMOCRACY 6 A JOURNEY TO A BETTER DEMOCRACY Gibraltar is a special place. A crossroads for civilisations spread opportunity, diversify our economy and create through the ages, it has accumulated a wealth of clean and modern power structures. history and culture that very few places in the world can match. Greeks, Phoenicians, Visigoths and Romans all I only know one way to address this problem, and that passed this way, leaving testimony of their appreciation is through better representation. And it’s not just me of this unique enclave. Once Moorish, then Spanish, who believes this; countless studies show that the best now proudly British, Gibraltar has had two constants way to fix inequalities is through better representation - throughout its history: our beautiful rock and the diversity case in point being Gibraltar´s equality agenda which, of culture happening around it. in a male dominated parliament, lags decades behind other western countries. People want a government that Our community is a faithful reflection of this rich and shares their values and priorities, that goes out of its way diverse heritage, where people of all denominations to listen to the members of the community. That is why live in peace and harmony. Creeds and traditions are I am proud to stand for election in a slate of 10 diverse expressed freely, cultures shared, languages spoken individuals; five men and five women that represent and merged. Our national identity is one that embraces many of the social and cultural sensibilities that make up those with diverse cultural roots, and our rock provides our community. refuge for all those who bring joy and prosperity to our people. We now ask you, the citizens of this proud and diverse community, to help us take an important step in this Yes, Gibraltar is plural and diverse, with one exception; voyage. Our vision is one for a green, fair and democratic its politics. Gibraltar. A sustainable Gibraltar, free from corruption and nepotism, where everyone, not just an elite, has We live in a time of change, particularly in the world of access to opportunity. politics. I’d go as far as to say that politics has become a dirty word which people treat with disdain. I believe this is Socially, we’re already an example of respect and a problem we have to tackle immediately, by reinstating tolerance. Now it’s time to create a Gibraltar that is an the links and affections once connecting politicians example to the world in the levels of democracy, social to the people they represent. We need to do this fast, justice and transparency of its politics. because when people don’t believe in their politicians and institutions, the rules that guarantee our peace and This is our political manifesto and these are our way of life can be undermined. candidates. Our slate combines outstanding professional competencies with diverse experience of the lives of If politics becomes an affair only for an elite, people working Gibraltarians. We ask you to vote with hope and become disenfranchised, feel disconnected, uninformed not with fear. We can make change happen if we work about governmental action and unsure of their ability together. to make a difference. Within that dynamic, anger, polarisation and inequality grow, and our capacity for Sincerely, positive social change disappears. This is happening in Gibraltar today, where Parliament has been taken over by an elite of corporate lawyers. The dominance of this demographic has brought with it not only disproportionate growth for a particular segment of our economy, but also a transformation of our political Marlene Hassan Nahon system. Parliamentary proceedings have taken on the form of courtroom exchanges, and the language has become less accessible to those not legally trained. This makes public scrutiny harder and pushes ordinary citizens away from politics.