GSLP-Liberals-Manifesto-2019

to develop and expand the role of
Gibraltar House in London. The team
there have served Gibraltar very well
during the intensity of the Brexit
negotiations. It will remain the main
point of contact on the ground with the
Government of the United Kingdom
and for quiet diplomacy with other
Governments and High Commissions.
Gibraltar House in London will also
remain the link between a GSLP/
Liberal Government in Gibraltar and
our many friends in the UK Parliament.
We will work hard to build upon the
solid support and respect that Gibraltar
commands at Westminster.
RELATIONS WITH THE UK
GOVERNMENT
Relations with the United Kingdom
Government are better than they
have ever been before, despite the
strains and challenges posed by
Brexit. There is now a friendly and
fluid working relationship between
the two Governments, driven by
personal contacts at a political and
at an official level. The end result is
that there is a genuine understanding
of the concerns that Gibraltar
may have on a given issue and a
genuine willingness to assist. That
close relationship is symbolised in
the successive video messages of
support delivered by three UK Prime
Ministers to the people of Gibraltar
on National Day.
A GSLP/Liberal Government will
continue to work closely with the
United Kingdom across the board
in order to progress the wishes and
the best interests of the people of
Gibraltar.
UK PARTY CONFERENCES
A GSLP/Liberal Government will
continue to attend the conferences of
the main political parties in the United
Kingdom.
Gibraltar traditionally attended the
Conservative and Labour conferences
only. This was extended to the
Liberal Democrats after the Coalition
Government and after the 2016
referendum to the Scottish National
Party and the Democratic Unionist
Party we well. These conferences
provide a unique opportunity to lobby
decision-makers across the political
spectrum and our attendance has
proved its worth to Gibraltar in the past.
DEVOLVED ADMINISTRATIONS
A GSLP/Liberal Government will also
continue the engagement with the
Devolved Administrations.
This contact was almost non-existent
before the Brexit referendum. There is
scope to learn from and cooperate with
each other particularly in areas like
health and education. Fabian Picardo
and Joseph Garcia, as Chief Minister
and Deputy Chief Minister, have met
both the First Minister of Scotland and
of Wales as part of that engagement.
SMALL TERRITORIES
We have already commenced contacts
and exchanges with other small
territories, particularly in Europe.
The GSLP/ Liberals believe that we
have much to learn from each other’s
experiences and from the common
challenges that we all face. This work
will continue.
JUNIOR POLITICAL OFFICERS
A GSLP/Liberal Government will give
young people who are interested
in international relations and in
promoting Gibraltar, the opportunity
to serve their country as a Junior
Political Officer either in London or in
Brussels.
The role will provide invaluable
experience in the world of politics and
diplomacy with the opportunity to
attend meetings, produce papers and
report to the Director.
The intention is that this system should
be in place in early 2020.
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA
US CONGRESS
A bi-partisan resolution supporting
Gibraltar has been tabled once again in
the Congress of the United States of
America. This recognises the long and
historic relationship between Gibraltar
and the United States and our right to
determine our own future as a British
Overseas Territory.
A GSLP/Liberal Government will
continue our positive work with our
friends in the US Congress. We will
continue to encourage Congressional
visits to Gibraltar and will work for a
closer relationship between Gibraltar
and the United States of America.
US REPRESENTATIVE
The post of Gibraltar Government
representative in the United States of
America was established by a GSLP/
Liberal Government. We believe that
it is important to have a Gibraltarian-
American advocate for our cause. This
has worked extremely well and will
continue.
GIBRALTAR-AMERICAN COUNCIL
The GSLP Liberals will continue
to welcome the work done by our
friends in the Gibraltar-American
Council. We will keep them abreast
of developments whenever we are in
New York.
INTERNSHIPS IN WASHINGTON
Over 100 young people from Gibraltar
have so far benefited from internships
organised by the GSLP/Liberal
Government through the Washington
Centre. We intend to continue to
offer this incredible opportunity to
our young people who become great
ambassadors for our country while
they are there and indeed even after
they return. This may be structured
differently going forward.
THE COMMONWEALTH
The GSLP and the Liberal Party, in
Government, intend to increase our
engagement with the organisations
and the Member States of the
Commonwealth. Gibraltar is a proud
part of the wider Commonwealth
family and we share common values
and traditions which are important to
us all.
The flag of the Commonwealth will
replace the flag of the European Union
in the event that we leave the EU.
We will organise an annual visit
by students from Gibraltar to the
organisations and institutions of the
Commonwealth that are based in
London.
We will continue our discussions
with the Commonwealth Enterprise
and Investment Council in order to
determine the best way in which to
...aspire to the best Gibraltar
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