GSLP/Liberals Manifesto 2015 the strongest foundations for your future www.strongestfoundations.gi This manifesto does not contain every commitment we have made in press releases and direct communications with organisations, and to which we remain committed, as space does not allow us to include everything. Wish lists from associations etc. are being answered directly in writing and those responses are binding on the parties also. All developments illustrated in this Manifesto are artists’ impressions and all will be subject to open and transparent tendering procedures and final geo-technical surveys. An interactive version of this manifesto is available on the following websites: www.strongestfoundations.gi www.gslp.gi www.liberal.gi On those websites you will also find the spoken word version of this document for the visually impaired. Our Electoral Broadcasts are also available there with sub-titles for the hearing impaired. ALL technical designs and architects drawings (which are not already in the public domain, free from copyright) included in this manifesto have been paid for and are the property of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party and the Liberal Party or are the property of third parties who have specifically authorised us to use them. Unlike the GSD in 2011, we are not including here any designs which are the property of the Government of Gibraltar. We could not be prouder that this manifesto has been designed and printed in Gibraltar by Gibraltarian talent and printers. Thank you to all of you who have been involved! Design: Stephen Perera Election Agents: Allan Asquez, Joseph Baldachino, Peter Cabezutto, Dennis Cardona, Joe Cortes, Jane Webber: Watergardens 3, Suite 16, Gibraltar. Troy Jeffries, Lyana Armstrong, Leslie Bruzon: 95 Irish Town, Gibraltar. Published by the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party, Suite 16, Watergardens 3, Gibraltar and the Liberal Party of Gibraltar, 95 Irish Town, Gibraltar. Printed by the Gibraltar Chronicle Printing Ltd, Unit 3, New Harbours, Gibraltar CONTENTS TELL ME ABOUT...FABIAN PICARDO ............................13 TELL ME ABOUT...ALBERT ISOLA ...................................59 THE PUBLIC SECTOR .........................................................13 THE GIBRALTAR GAMING PROPOSITION ..................59 STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY ...................................15 FINANCIAL SERVICES ........................................................60 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS .........................................16 TELL ME ABOUT...GILBERT LICUDI ...............................65 TELL ME ABOUT...JOSEPH GARCIA...............................23 EDUCATION .........................................................................65 DEMOCRATIC & PARLIAMENTARY REFORM ............23 NEW EDUCATION POLICIES ...........................................68 LAW & ORDER .....................................................................77 TELL ME ABOUT...JOE BOSSANO ..................................27 THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC PLAN TELL ME ABOUT...STEVEN LINARES .............................81 2015/16 -2019/20 ..............................................................28 ART & CULTURE ..................................................................81 VOCATIONAL APPRENTICESHIPS & TRAINING ........32 PLANNING & HERITAGE ...................................................81 SPORTS AND LEISURE ......................................................88 TELL ME ABOUT...PAUL BALBAN ...................................35 YOUTH ..................................................................................91 TRAFFIC, PARKING AND TRANSPORT .........................35 THE PORT .............................................................................38 TELL ME ABOUT...SAMANTHA SACRAMENTO .........93 SOCIAL SERVICES ...............................................................93 TELL ME ABOUT...JOHN CORTES ..................................41 DISABILITY ............................................................................94 HEALTH .................................................................................41 EQUALITY..............................................................................94 ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................46 TOURISM ...............................................................................96 PROTECTING OUR SENIOR CITIZENS..........................98 TELL ME ABOUT...NEIL COSTA .......................................51 HOUSING ..............................................................................99 BUSINESS & COMMERCE ................................................51 4 ...the strongest foundations for the future Personal message from Fabian Picardo My dear friends, of education and the objective accountability of that sector. It also means ensuring our children get the nutrition they Thank you so much for having trusted us to “make the need whilst in school. change” 4 years ago. We really did usher in a positive “New Dawn” that has transformed Gibraltar for the better. In particular, it means that when we are faced with choices between building new schools or electing to spend taxpayers My own life was turned upside down from the moment I was money on a new football stadium, we will always choose to sworn in as Chief Minister in December 2011. A few months invest in the infrastructure of education and allow the GFA later, my first son was born. Earlier this year, my second to take the funds UEFA is offering for the sporting facility. son arrived. Now, as the proud parents of two Gibraltarian children, my wife and I care deeply for the future of our small And you will also see how we are planning for the short, but proud Nation. I know you all do too. If there is one thing medium and long term. We are not just looking out for today we all have in common in Gibraltar, whatever side we are on without a thought for tomorrow. In fact, our obligation is as politically, it is our love of our homeland. much to protect the interests of future generations of our people as it is to protect the interests of current generations With my talented and dedicated colleagues in the GSLP/ of Gibraltarians. Liberal Government, we have worked every hour available in order to make good the commitments we made to That is why everything we do is carefully designed to improve every aspect of life in Gibraltar. We have put promote and progress our interests as a people. every effort into it. You can now see for yourselves that we We would never risk the safety of any resident or group meant it when we said we would promise only things which of you or the financial health of our Nation. Anyone who we could deliver. says the opposite can unfortunately only be described That is why you know that you can trust us to run Gibraltar as lying. Not one of the ministers in the GSLP/Liberals honestly, efficiently and prudently for the next 4 years. administration would ever support an LNG facility if it were even slightly unsafe. It is true that some of you were not sure about our team in 2011. You did not know whether you could trust me to fill If you do not want to believe politicians on the issue of the the big shoes of former Chief Ministers. Some of you had safety of LNG and the SHELL built and operated storage been concerned by the scaremongering of our opponents. facility at North Mole, then look at the statements from THE world recognised experts at the Health & Safety Laboratory. Yet now so many of you tell me that you have seen we are They were clear and explicit in saying there is no risk or doing a good job of administering the affairs of ‘Gibraltar Plc’ danger to any resident in the area of Waterport Terraces or and that you want us to continue to do so. Thank you for Harbour Views from the LNG facility. These experts even recognising both our efforts and achievements. said that they would happily live closer to the LNG plant And thank you for picking up this manifesto to read about than the current residential areas allow for. the plans we now propose for the next 4 years in the growth Moving to this new, clean fuel to produce power is not of Gibraltar. These are the best ideas proposed to you at this something we would have done if we were not totally and election. completely 100% satisfied that it is entirely safe. Believe me We have given a lot of thought to the things that we when I honestly say that I would rather lose an election by propose to you in this blueprint for the next 4 years in the 100% than risk the life of any Gibraltarian. development of our small but proud Nation. Yet our opponents still insist in raising fear in people. These plans are very carefully costed. I guess they think that is the only way that they can try to You will see that we make detailed predictions about the carve out one or two more votes. I think it is unscrupulous growth of our GDP, the growth of our reserves and the to try to win votes by frightening people with unscientific anticipated further reductions in our debt. Our opponents nonsense. do not have the credibility to do that. At the end of the day, each one of you has to ask yourself, You will also see fascinating plans to positively transform do I believe self-interested Daniel Feetham and Trevor education in our Community. Investment in our schools is Hammond, or do I trust the objective and qualified experts essential if we are to give our children the service that they from the Health & Safety Laboratory of the UK and the deserve and should expect from a prosperous Community