Kaiane Aldorino crowned Miss Gibraltar 2009

All glitz and glamour of a beauty pageant was in evidence last night as Kaiane Aldorino was crowned Miss Gibraltar 2009 at the Alameda Open Air Theatre.



A veritable bevy of beauties paraded their undoubted talents in this ever popular annual Gibraltar event.


Other prizes went to:

Maxine De La Rosa – 1st Princess

Jordana Lavagna – 2nd Princess

Jair Azzopardi – Miss Catwalk

Tyrene Navarro – Best Interview & Miss Photogenic

Elke Hanglin – Miss Friendship

Acknowledgement

I am indebted to David Parody who very kindly sent me these images. More of David's great pics of Miss Gibraltar can be seen on his Flickr channel

Photo © DM Parody (http://dotcom.gi/photos).

In my Inbox today... An ode to politics

An ode to politics

I want a floating duck house,
I want to clear my moat,
I need to mend my tennis court,
That’s why I need your vote.

I have to build a portico,
My swimming pool needs mending,
My lovely plants need horse manure,
And the Aga needs much tending.

A chandelier is vital,
Mock Tudor boards are great,
My hanging baskets won awards,
And I’ve earned a tax rebate.

I need a glitter toilet seat,
My piano so needs tuning,
Maltesers help me stay awake,
And my orchard must need pruning.

I could have said the rules were wrong,
And often thought I should,
But somehow it was easier,
To profit all I could.

The public really have to see,
That the rules are there to test
And by defrauding taxpayers,
We were just doing our best.

The Speaker of the House has gone,
Our sacrificial beast,
But the public are still praying,
For our corpses at the feast.

What do the public want from us,
Those vote-wielding ingrates?
They really should be grateful
to be financing our estates.

The message is so very clear,
(we’re merely learning late)
That the British way of living well
Is to screw the bloody state.

Celebrating Gibraltar's dishes... Summer beauties and various delectations

As Gibraltar moves inexorably into its Summer season, I note with sad regret that I missed the Calentita Evening at Casemates last week... which I gather went down a treat... as it would do!

The Calentita is generally regarded as Gibraltar's national dish.

The Gibraltar Heritage page about the Calentita talks of the diverse origins of the population of Gibraltar and quite rightly states that this is "illustrated in the local traditional dishes".

When many of our visitors first arrive in Gibraltar they assume that the traditional Gibraltarian meals are much the same as anything that can be found along the south coast of Spain – after all we are only a short distance away. However, a closer look at our traditional recipes soon illustrates that this is just not so.

Often said to be Gibraltar’s National Dish, the Calentita's popularity is not only the exclusive domain in homes across Gibraltar, it is often also on offer at many official Government receptions for visitors.

This dish originates in Genoa and Liguria in Italy, areas from where many Gibraltar family origins can be traced. It is a kind of thick pancake, easily made from chickpea flour, mixed with oil and water and baked in a hot oven. In Italy (and other parts of the world including South America) it is called Faina or Farinata and there is a French equivalent in Nice.

The name Calentita derives from the Spanish word for warm, as it is normally served straight out of the oven. In the past it was sold in the streets - the last Calentita vendor, Paloma, is still remembered locally (including yours truly) - although it was most commonly prepared at home by those who owned their own ovens.

Since I missed the one in Gibraltar last week, I'm planning our own Calentita evening for family and friends! You might like to try it out for yourself... here's the Calentita recipe... it really is delicious!

Botanic Gardens prepares for Miss Gibraltar Pageant

In an email press release I received from the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens, more commonly known as the Alameda Gardens, they're looking ahead to the next item on the Gibraltar Special Events Calendar... and the organising of the Miss Gibraltar Pageant which takes place at the Botanic Gardens' Alameda Open Air Theatre next Saturday.

At a time when Gibraltarian beauty is celebrated, they are reminding us of the natural beauty of the venue in the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens, which they report has been "transformed into an enchanted forest" by the set designed by Urban Dance's Illumina, written and choreographed for the Theatre, so "the natural beauty of summer flowers must be highlighted".

The Theatre pond itself boasts the best display of water lilies for many years.

Also flowering at the moment in the Alameda is the stunning Australian Flame Tree, which is in bloom for only the second time in its life, as it only burst into flaming colour every five years.

In flower too are white and pink Oleander, turquoise-blue Jacaranda, sparkling pink bottle brushes and Albizzia and pale blue Cape Chestnut.

Most of these flowering trees adorn the Upper Walk of the Gardens and the little secluded area known as The Dell. They stand out beautifully against the greens of the evergreen trees, contrasting with the dryness of the summer on the ground.

While Gibraltar enjoys the Miss Gibraltar Pageant next week, the Botanic Gardens ask us not to forget the natural colours and beauty than can be found, all year round, in Gibraltar's beautiful Botanic Gardens.

More photographs of most of these trees and other flowers can be found on the Gibraltar Botanic Garden website.

Update - Sunday 28th June 2009

You can see the result of the Miss Gibraltar pageant, including more images and links here

Bossano tells UN committee 'Spain is stuck in a time warp' on Gibraltar

Last week, at the United Nations Special Committee of 24 on Decolonisation hearing, the Special Committee took up the question of Gibraltar once again.

As usual, the representative of Spain opposed any attempt to remove Gibraltar from the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories undergoing decolonization, and reiterated the Spanish Government’s wish to renew "conversations" with the United Kingdom on the future of Gibraltar.

Reiterating Spain’s full commitment to the decolonization process, he stressed the particular prominence of the question of Gibraltar, which concerned two member States of the European Union and allies within the North Atlantic Treaty. The situation of Gibraltar undermined Spain’s "national unity and territorial integrity".

In reply, the Committee also heard from Joe Bossano, the leader of Gibraltar's GSLP/Liberals Opposition parties who was a Petitioner for Gibraltar.

Now... I don't often agree with Mr Bossano... in fact, very rarely... but I have to say, in the speech he gave to the UN Committee hearing, he is spot on and I couldn't agree more with everything he says! In particular, I agree with him on the anachronistic 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, which to my mind should long ago have been consigned to the dustbin of history... and about Gibraltar's already established (the UK Government agreed this in 2007) de facto decolonisation of Gibraltar. Well done Joe... you old Walrus!

Mr Bossano, who turns 70 this month, said his hoped for ruling by the UN Committee of 24, accepting Gibraltar's decolonisation and removing it from the list of the 16 remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories, would be the best birthday present he would have ever received. I do wish they would grant him his wish... and Gibraltar its own aspirations!

The Leader of the Opposition Joe Bossano, said that in terms of the Territory’s decolonisation, Spain was "stuck in a time warp", expecting Gibraltarians to accept that their rights as a people should be measured by the yardstick of the Europe that had existed in 1713 rather than by the human rights values of 2009. Spain had used the spurious claim that a territorial dispute doctrine invented by the Special Committee overrode the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, covenants on political and social rights and long-established international jurisprudence on decolonization and self-determination.

This year, instead of demonstrating respect and support, Spain had challenged the sovereignty of Gibraltar’s territorial waters, he said. Spain’s position that Gibraltar could not have territorial waters, which were not provided for under the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, was wrong under international law. In the past, Spain had respected Gibraltar’s territorial waters on the median line in the Bay of Gibraltar and the three miles off the coast, including the zone adjacent to the isthmus not covered by the Treaty. It had not attempted to apply Spanish law to vessels anchored in those areas.

Spain had previously demarcated the flight paths over Gibraltar’s waters to and from the local airport, which were followed by aircraft not permitted to use Spanish airspace, he noted. This year, however, Spain had claimed responsibility for the environmental protection of Gibraltar’s waters, which it had been unable to deliver. Spain had also made a number of incursions into Gibraltar’s territorial jurisdiction, forcing the United Kingdom, as the administering Power, to take action to protect the sovereignty of Gibraltar’s waters, as required by the Territory’s Constitution.

He said that, having accepted that Gibraltarians were a separate people from those of the administering Power, as required by resolution 1541 (XV) principle (IV), it was not for the Special Committee to arbitrate, mandate or establish a doctrine as to the appropriate relevant monarch for Gibraltar. The monarch’s identity was irrelevant for the purpose of eradicating colonialism. Decolonization could only happen when the peoples of the Territories’ exercised self-determination. Without the Gibraltarians, there would be no colonial relationship to correct, but only an uninhabited piece of land subject to a territorial dispute.

He said Spain had used false arguments to pursue its case, relying on the natural special relationship it enjoyed with some of its former colonies for support. The Special Committee’s Spanish-speaking members should acknowledge and accept that they had more in common with Gibraltar than with Spain in terms of commitment to decolonization and the right to self-determination, regardless of Hispanic cultural affinity. The Special Committee should conduct an assessment of the constitutional changes in Gibraltar, in line with its duty to monitor progress in the Territories towards self-government. The United Kingdom had claimed that Gibraltar’s new Constitution made for a non-colonial relationship with the United Kingdom; the Special Committee’s report to the Fourth Committee should comment on that change instead of once again deferring the matter for another year.

Noting Spain’s position that Gibraltar should revert to Spanish rule while retaining all the privileges it currently enjoyed as a Non-Self-Governing Territory under British rule, he said that flew in the face of the Special Committee’s decolonization mandate. Gibraltar would not cede to or share with Spain one inch of land, one drop of territorial water or any airspace whatsoever. The Special Committee should consider the question of Gibraltar as it would any other Non-Self-Governing Territory and not allow itself to be led astray by the misguided, self-serving arguments of Spain, whose sole objective was to replace the United Kingdom as administering Power.

You can hear the two speeches in full on this video:



Excellent... well said Joe!!

Frankly... whether the UN do the right thing or not... I really don't care. In my opinion, this Committee long ago lost any credibility on their genuine search for fairness and justice... but it would be nice if they did finally accept Gibraltar has been decolonised and removes us from the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories!!

In my Inbox today... Did you hear the one about the Bristol Zoo Car Park Attendant?

In my inbox today... the apparently true story and 'bit of a wheeze'... concerning a Car Park Attendant at Bristol Zoo.

An email currently circulating, tells the story as follows:

Outside Bristol Zoo, there is a car park for 150 cars and 8 coaches. It was manned by a very pleasant attendant with a ticket machine charging cars £1 and coaches £5. This parking attendant worked there solid for all of 25 years. Then one day... he just didn't turn up for work!

"Oh well", said Bristol Zoo Management, "we'd better phone up the City Council and get them to send a new parking attendant..."

"Err no", said the Council, "that car park is your responsibility"...

"Err no", said Bristol Zoo Management, "the attendant was employed by the City Council... wasn't he?"

"Err NO!"

Sitting in his villa in Spain, is a bloke who had been taking the car park fees, estimated at £400 per day at Bristol Zoo for the last 25 years!!

Assuming 7 days week, this amounts to just over £3.6 million... Fanbloodytastic!!

Nice story huh? Would that it were true! Unfortunately... it isn't!

According to snopes.com, this tale is "purely the stuff of fiction rather than fact".

The Bristol Zoo says it has never experienced any confusion over parking attendants, and that it has several attendants and more than one car park, none open to coaches. Moreover, in response to Snopes.com inquiries about the tale, a Bristol Zoo representative said:

We have had numerous similar enquiries lately but I can assure you that this rumour is not true.

A version of this story also appeared in the Bristol Evening Post back in 2007 but it was as part of a feature on urban myths published to coincide with April Fool's Day, not as a reporting of a real-life event.

Sad... I'd like it to have been true!

Bristol Zoo

Bristol Zoo Gardens is a 12 acre site in Clifton that is run by the The Bristol, Clifton and West of England Zoological Society Ltd.

Awarded ‘Zoo of the Year 2004’ by the Good Britain Guide, Bristol Zoo Gardens has a continuous reputation for excellence, innovation, and dedication to conservation. It’s the fifth oldest zoo in the world and the oldest outside of a capital city, and a long established major tourist attraction in Bristol.

There's no such thing as bad publicity! I bet though... that the carpark attendants at Bristol Zoo these days... are absolutely fed up of being asked... if they work for the Council, the Zoo... or themselves!!

Gibraltar European Parliament Election results announced

The Gibraltar Chronicle has just reported the result of the Gibraltar European Elections 2009.

Local Returning Officer Melvyn Farrell declared the Conservative Party has secured majority support from Gibraltar voters in this year’s European elections, obtaining 51.93% of the votes on a disappointingly low turnout.

The Labour Party achieved the second-largest number of votes with 18.53% with the Liberal Democrats, which included Gibraltarian Jonathan Stagnetto in its lineup, coming a close third in the count with 17.71% of Gibraltar votes.

Low Turnout for Gibraltar

Just 7,166 Gibraltar voters cast their ballots in the election this year, representing only 35% of the electorate. This percentage turnout is below the turnout of 39% in the EU Constituency of the South West region, (which includes Gibraltar and the Scilly Isles), as a whole. The figure is also well below voting turnout in 2004, the first time that Gibraltar participated in European Parliament elections. That year, Gibraltar’s turnout was far higher at nearly 58%, well above the EU average.

Read more on the Gibraltar European Election 2009 result here.

In my Inbox today... How SOME men amuse themselves Tesco Shopping!

In my Inbox today... proof of what can happen if a wife or girlfriend drags her husband or boyfriend along shopping!

This letter was actually (apparently) sent by Tesco's Head Office to a customer in Oxford :

Dear Mrs. Murray,

Whilst we would like to thank you for your valued custom and use of the Tesco Loyalty Card, the Manager of our store in Banbury is considering banning you and your family from shopping with us, unless your husband stops his antics.

Below is a list of his actions over the past few months all verified by our surveillance cameras:

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's trolleys when they weren't looking.

2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5 minute intervals.

3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to feminine products aisle.

4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official tone, 'Code 3' in housewares... and watched what happened.

5. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

6. September 15: Set up a tent in the outdoor clothing department and told shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring sausages and a Calorgas stove.

7. September 23: When the Deputy Manager asked if she could help him, he began to cry and asked, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'

8.. October 4: Looked right into the security camera; used it as a mirror, picked his nose, and ate it.

9. October 10: While appearing to be choosing kitchen knives in the Housewares aisle asked an assistant if he knew where the antidepressants were.

10. November 3: Darted around the store suspiciously, loudly humming the Mission Impossible' theme.

11.November 6: In the kitchenware aisle, practised the 'Madonna look' using different size funnels.

12. November 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed, yelled' PICK ME!' 'PICK ME!'

13. November 21: When an announcement came over the loudspeaker, assumed the foetal position and screamed 'NO! NO! It's those voices again.'

And; last, but not least:

14. November 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited a while; then yelled, very loudly, 'There is no toilet paper in here.

Eric Idle gets his tongue around the Penis Song (Not the Noel Coward Song)

Whiling the time away on this rather dull and rainy Sunday evening... ahead of the announcing of the EU election results tonight, browsing round my Facebook, I came across this gem posted by one of my friends there. Since I haven't posted many 'Funnies' lately I thought I would share it with you here!

The 'Penis Song' (Not the Noel Coward Song) is a song originally from the Monty Python film The Meaning of Life and released on the album Monty Python Sings.

In the film, it is sung by Eric Idle at a piano in the persona of a Noël Coward-style lounge singer, hence the sub-title of the song 'Not the Noel Coward Song.'

Beginning by addressing his audience, the singer says:

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Here's a little number I tossed off recently in the Caribbean!"

This initial innuendo is the opening gambit to the series of euphemisms that follow... alluding to male genitalia. The overall message of the song appears to be summed up in its opening line:

"Isn't it awfully nice to have a penis?"

Naturally, I'm thinking it is... it is!! Ha ha!

Here's the video - Hope you enjoy it!



More info at 'Penis Song' (Not the Noel Coward Song) - information from Wikipedia

Disappointing predicted turnout in Gibraltar Euro Vote 2009

I am rather disappointed to read the predicted low turnout in Gibraltar, of around 35%, in its second ever participation in a European election.

Reading Brian Reyes' report in today's Gibraltar Chronicle is depressing and sad, especially after the right to vote in EU parliamentary elections, which Gibratar did for the first time ever in 2004, was so hardfought for... and only achieved after a EU court ruling!

In his Chronicle report, Brian Reyes says Gibraltar’s electorate "appeared to be largely indifferent".

"Throughout the day there was slow activity at the 12 polling stations around town, a trickle of voters compared to the last EU election in 2004.

Outside the polling stations, the police officers on guard duty looked bored. Inside, the civil servants idled the hours away and looked relieved whenever a voter stepped in.

The polls were open until 10pm and a surge in numbers was possible. But as this edition went to press, the indication was of a markedly low turnout by Gibraltar standards."

As polls closed at 10pm last night, the Chronicle reports just 7,166 voters had cast their ballots. That's only around 35% of eligible voters and well below the previous election in 2004, when the turnout was around 57%, a figure that Gibraltar has been proud of as it is significantly higher than the average turnout across Europe, which stood at just over 45%, for the 2004 elections.

The Chronicle reports that the ballot boxes are now securely locked up at the Supreme Court. They will remain there until Sunday evening when the votes will be counted, following the conclusion of all voting across Europe. Gibraltar’s results should be officially announced late on Sunday night, 7th June.

I'm hoping even with the low turnout... that the LibDems will still nevertheless, produce a good 'showing'... fingers crossed!

Footnote on being the 1st

Speaking about the LibDems, as regular readers of my blog will know, I have much enjoyed supporting Jonathan Stagnetto (seen casting his vote yesterday on the picture right - courtesy of Panorama), who is the first Gibraltarian to stand for election under the Liberal Democrats list in Thursday's vote. He is however, the second Gibraltarian ever to stand for election in a European Parliament vote, and I much enjoyed helping him with his campaign in a small way, with a little contribution helping to run his Facebook Group.

I was therefore interested to see this headline in Panorama: First Gibraltar candidate in a European election casts his vote for mainstream party. Not exactly a very clear headline (nothing new there from Panorama) or possibly accurate... but I do know what they mean... I think!

The Panorama report pictures Jonathan Stagetto voting and describes him as "the first Gibraltarian candidate to stand in a European Election with a mainstream party".

"Standing for the Liberal-Democrats, Jonathan Stagnetto - member of the Liberal Party of Gibraltar - was making local history as he cast his vote."

As Brian Reyes (journalist for the Chronicle and blogger) himself pointed out to me recently, when I first started excitedly blogging about Jonathan Stagnetto's standing for the LibDems in Gibraltar's Euro vote, he was not THE first Gibraltarian to stand for one of the main parties, in a Gibraltar (or any other) European Parliamentary election. That credit goes to Lyana Armstrong-Emery, who stood for the Green Party in the 2004 Euro vote. By most people's yardstick, these days, the Green Party IS 'one of the main stream parties' albeit not one of the 'big three' but it cannot be dismissed as a minor party any longer. Obviously I don't know what their vote will be in this election as yet... but I suspect it will be significant. Enough to be regarded as a 'main stream party' anyway!

So, either way, whether Panorama meant the 'first Gibraltarian candidate in a European election' or standing for one of the 'main parties' in a European election... I would have to dispute that... especially after their journalist colleague picked me up on it. In my defence, I did know Lyana had been the first ever to stand... only in my excitement... I forgot! Perhaps Panorama have made the same mistake? Then again, I might be 'splitting hairs'... Funny though!

Follow the EU Election Results

You can follow the European Election and view the results as they are announced here: BBC NEWS | Special Reports | Election 09

Gibraltar voting today in European Parliament elections

For the second time in its history, Gibraltar is today participating in elections for the European Parliament.

Over the next few days, some 375 million voters in 27 countries will go to the polls across Europe.

Gibraltar is part of the South West England Region constituency which also includes the Scilly Isles.

Writing in the Gibraltar Chronicle today, Brian Reyes reports the polling stations in Gibraltar opened early this morning and will remain open until 10pm tonight.

He recalls how Gibraltar had to fight hard to win the right to vote in European elections. The first time it did so was in 2004, when 57% of voters turned out to cast their ballot papers and included the first ever Gibraltarian, Lyana Armstrong-Emery who stood for election for the Green Party.

That percentage was significantly higher than the average turnout across Europe, which stood at just over 45%.

There are 20,413 eligible voters on the Gibraltar electoral register and officials are hopeful of a high turnout today.

"Despite high-profile canvassing by many candidates over recent weeks", writes Brian Reyes, "yesterday on Main Street there was none of the fevered discussion associated with a general election".

There was a general air of indifference, though some voters were passionately discussing – often in close detail – the pros and cons of voting for any particular party or candidate.

For many voters, the EU election presents them with a confusing array of choices.

At the polling station today, voters will have to pick from a list of 16 parties and candidates that campaigned in the South West region of the UK, the Scilly Isles and of course, Gibraltar, which has been visited recently by the 'big guns' from most of the main parties, including, Douglas Hague for the Conservatives and Simon Hughes from the Liberal Democrats.

Graham Watson MEP, who has been relentless in his support for Gibraltar and its interest in the Strasbourg Parliament during the last five years, particularly on human rights and the environment, also visited to support his local Liberal Democrat colleague and candidate, Jonathan Stagnetto (on the right of the picture with Graham Watson), the only Gibraltarian standing for this election.

It is largely due to Mr Watson, with his support for a Gibraltar candidate, that Gibraltar has its own Gibraltarian representative, in Jonathan Stagnetto, who is standing within the list of the only major party that has shown this important initiative on Gibraltar's behalf.

Some of the other candidates, says the Chronicle report, will be well known to everyone, including the three main UK political parties, while others may be more obscure. Still others will be known for different reasons, including one independent candidate Katie Hopkins who is an English Reality Television contestant, businesswoman and journalist, best known for her 2007 appearance on the third UK series of TV reality programme The Apprentice.

The South West/Gibraltar region has been allocated six MEPs, reduced from seven seats at the last election. The voting system is based on proportional representation and voters must pick just one choice out of the list of 16 on offer.

The party or independent candidate with the most votes will win the first of the six seats.

The subsequent seats will be allocated using a quota system designed to give a chance to parties or candidates with a smaller voter base than the main contenders.

The more seats a party wins, the harder it is to gain extra seats.

That means that the overall allocation of seats is more proportional to the number of votes received.

Parties have presented up to six candidates and each of the seats they win will be allocated in running order.

That means, writes Mr Reyes, "that candidates at the end of their respective lists – for example Jonathan Stagnetto, who is standing with the Liberal Democrats and is the only local candidate – are highly unlikely to win a seat". Quite so... but you never know!

Although the voting is taking place in Gibraltar today, the ballots will not be counted until Sunday evening and the results will not be known until later that night.

Meanwhile, the Gibraltar Government yesterday evening issued a statement that calls on voters in Gibraltar to "participate in the elections by casting a vote".

"In the Government’s view, people in Gibraltar should vote for the party that in their judgement and opinion, is best for Gibraltar, our sovereignty, self-determination and EU interests. This requires an assessment of past record, as well as, the commitment as a party to uphold Gibraltar’s interests in the future."

To my mind... no question who that might be. The Liberal Democrats win hands down... all due to the great work Graham Watson the LibDem MEP has done on Gibraltar's behalf at the European Parliament!

I have much enjoyed supporting Jonathan Stagnetto, helping his campaign on his Facebook Group. In a 'thank you' note to the Group last night, Jonathan wrote:

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for the tremendous support that you have all given me as the only candidate from Gibraltar contesting these European elections.

It has made life much easier for me to know that so many of you actually took the time to sign-up to this Facebook Group in support of my campaign.

I would also like to thank the Liberal Democrats for having included me on their list. They have shown that only a visionary political party like the Liberal Democrats had the courage to make a commitment of this type and at this level. I have no doubt that this decision to include a Gibraltarian in their list has made these elections more relevant to Gibraltar. It has proven the Liberal Democrat commitment to Gibraltar, particularly that of current MEP Graham Watson and his team.

I urge all of you who are eligible, to go out tomorrow, Thursday 4th June and vote Liberal Democrat!

Hopefully this campaign can prove to be the prelude to greater Gibraltarian involvement in Europe and a greater participation in future European elections.

Thanks again for your support!!

I think Jonathan has fulfilled his wishes. He has conducted a very dignified campaign and, in my somewhat biased view admittedly, I think he has "made these elections more relevant to Gibraltar". It's certainly proven the Liberal Democrat's and Graham Watson's commitment to Gibraltar, that's for sure.

For myself... it has been a pleasure and a privilege to help, albeit in a small way and I offer the Liberal Democrats in Gibraltar and Jonathan Stagnetto in particular, my very best wishes for the future, whatever the outcome is in Sunday's result!

You can follow the Election and view the results when they are announced here: BBC NEWS | Special Reports | Election 09

Duff refuses to answer questions on being British

You may have read my post a couple of days ago, where I laid into my incumbent LibDem MEP, Andrew Duff (the 'Old Duffer'), in the East of England EU constituency, about his apparent anti-British, anti-democratic and anti-Gibraltar stance.

My discovery of his attack on Gibraltar and how proud Gibraltar was when celebrating 300 years of being British, calling it "tawdry nationalism", incensed me. I am particularly aggravated by his support for Spain's continual bullying of Gibraltar and his disregard for the freely and democratically expressed wishes of 30,000 European British citizens!

This put me in a bit of a quandary as to who to vote for today. To resolve my quandary I contacted Linda Jack (who is listed 2nd in LibDem East of England list) and she, unlike the 'Old Duffer', had the courtesy to reply... in fact within about half an hour.

This is what Linda Jacks had to say on being British:

Where I stand on Britishness. Like you I have served in the armed forces and continued to serve my fellow citizens in public service since.

I consider myself patriotic, if elected I will not only be representing the interests of the East of England but also the nation as a whole. Because of my commitment to my country I am also committed to seeing the success of the EU, we truly will be "stronger together". I am certainly not a little Englander, and frankly, like many of my fellow citizens would not be here at all if it hadn't been for cross European immigration!

There is much to do to reform the EU to make it more democratic and effective - to ensure it truly upholds the very values expressed in the Lisbon Treaty.

That's good enough for me... and I thanked Linda for her candid, courteous and prompt reply. She WILL have my vote!

I AM still very pissed off with Duff

As for the 'Duffer'... I am still very pissed off with him... especially since he has not had the courtesy to reply to my two emails and various Tweets on Twitter!

Clearly... he does not want to answer... or considers he can avoid answering my questions without regard for me... or for the electorate. That in itself says a lot about him!

I shall continue to pursue him for an answer on where he stands on being British.

With this in mind, I have contacted all the local newspapers and one or two of the nationals too... (not my comic but The Sun likes a good rant about EU anti Britishness so I included them!) hoping to interest them on the news... that Andrew Duff evades the straight question on where he stands on being British... and why does he negate the rights and freely and democratically expressed wishes of 30,000 European British citizens!!

Does Duff support 'Britishness' and the British in East of England EU election and Parliament... I don't think so!

I was going to be voting for the LibDems in this week's Euro Elections... but now I'm not so sure. One thing I AM sure of... I won't be voting for the 'old Duffer'!!

As my regular readers will be aware, I have been supporting the efforts of Gibraltarian Jonathan Stagnetto, who is standing for election, under the Liberal Democrats list in Thursday's vote for the European Parliament in the Gibraltar, the Scilly Isles and South West England Region constituency.

But I actually don't live in that constituency. My constituency, since I live in the wilds of East Anglia, on the Suffolk / Norfolk borders, is in fact the East of England, a constituency which, I am delighted to say, is yet another where the Liberal Democrats are in a good position to gain a second seat in the European Parliament at the election this Thursday! For this long standing LibDem supporter, that's good news!

The door-to-door campaigning is intensifing across the region and I recently duly received my expected leaflet from our LibDems and our incumbent MEP, Andrew Duff, who is as it happens, also Leader of the Liberal Democrat European Parliamentary Party.

Now, I have to admit, while I follow UK politics quite closely, when it comes to Europe, like many of us, I'm afraid I find myself yawning regularly and getting quite irritated, not to say concerned, by the way we are relentlessly relinquishing our (Britain's) legislative powers, now about 75%, to the European Parliament.

In short, I'm afraid to say, I find myself more and more in two minds about the whole issue of our participation in the European Union.

In principle, I'm all for a free trade market, as the old EC was intended, which I voted for in 1973. As far as peace, security and stability is concerned, I do believe the European Union, by and large, gives Europe a better chance for this to prevail... than otherwise would be the case.

But I do have a problem with the way the EU is slowly being pushed more towards a 'Federal Europe'. I do also have a problem, as I already said, in the way Britain is relinquishing it's own legislative powers and I definitely have a problem as to how much it all costs.

Now you might wonder, since I feel like this, the party I should be voting for is UKIP right? Wrong!! For me, UKIP are a single issue party. I rather like old Nigel Farage. He is a very persuasive speaker... though I do wish he would stop interrupting people constantly on Question Time!! But Farage is just about all UKIP have going for them.

Over the years, the Liberal Democrats' passionate support for the European Union and the single currency has not exactly seduced British voters.... myself included. But... as the LibDem Euro Election manifesto says, Stronger Together, Poorer Apart - On balance, I have to agree! I think Britain does benefit from membership of the European Union, as do we as European citizens... but there are many things I would like to see changed and reformed, not least many aspects of the Lisbon Treaty, which I must say I have a great deal of respect for Ireland, for having kicked it into touch. I probably would have voted the same... if only we had been given a referendum as promised! I still live in hope, but since we haven't been given the chance, what I am saying is, that we have to remain in the game, but change some of the rules!

Now... getting back to the East of England and my incumbent MEP Andrew Duff. Here, I have another quandary!

This business of us voting in Euro Elections get murkier and more complicated by the second... as if things, issues, weren't complicated enough already!

I like much of what Andrew Duff says. For instance, he highlights the anger we all feel about the Westminster expenses scandal and says this "is turning into a more serious effort to engage with the political reform agenda that Liberal Democrats have advanced for years", and I would agree, that's good.

He also says the "huge challenges posed by the financial turmoil, economic crash, climate change and international insecurity make a powerful case for a stronger and better European Union"... and I'm with him on all that too.

"Liberal Democrats believe that Britain has a choice between being stronger together in Europe, or poorer apart"... Yep, I said so myself earlier!

I also agree with this, from Mr Duff:

"We are well known for getting things done in our county councils, and for providing real opposition at Westminster. As leader of the Lib Dems in the European Parliament, I am helping to ensure that Europe delivers benefits for our region, our country and the wider world.

Voters would be wise to avoid single issue parties which have no answers to the big political agenda.

I hope that the nationalists and isolationists are heavily defeated in the East of England. It is frankly a disgrace that we have had two UKIP MEPs for the last five years who have been either useless or embroiled in corruption scandals.

As people react against failing Labour and avoid a Tory vote that would further marginalise the UK in Europe, they are turning to the Lib Dems.

Engaging with the electorate we find encouraging support."

Yes, well all good so far.... Mr Duff was more or less guaranteed my support... until I started delving further and I came across this little rant by my LibDem candidate for Europe... denigrating my homeland of Gibraltar!

Andrew Duff's Affront to Gibraltar

It seems that our Mr Duff's "serenity" was impaired during a week's holiday in Andalucia back in 2004, "by a series of front page press photos of Geoff Hoon".

Mr Hoon was, at the time, the UK's defence minister, and the picture that so discomfited Mr Duff was of Mr Hoon "looking as smug as can be, seated next to an over-dressed senior naval commander", at a military parade during Gibraltar's Tricentenary celebrations, which included a visit of support by Princess Anne.

Well, I don't mind Mr Duff having a go at Geoff Hoon... but I do mind and I take great offence at the tone of the rest of what he wrote and had published in the Liberal Democrat News on Fri 13th Aug 2004, particularly, his very disparaging and insulting remarks aimed at the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar:

The jolly occasion was mounted to celebrate the seizure of the fort by an Anglo-Dutch fleet on 4 August 1704 - a relatively minor incident in the War of the Spanish Succession (between the Habsburgs and the Bourbons). Ten years later, at the Treaty of Utrecht the Rock was assigned to Great Britain.

Both the War and the Peace were controversial. The reaction of William Penn, the English Quaker, was to campaign for the convening of a 'sovereign or imperial Diet, a Parliament or State of Europe' in which rulers would bury their differences and arbitrate disputes. Yet even today, despite the vindication of the Enlightenment in the constitution of the European Union, Gibraltar is left behind as the last colony in mainland Europe.

Nobody would deny Gibraltarians a party. But the smugness of Mr Hoon, the military nature of the event, and the tawdry nationalism that pervaded the event have caused the Spanish, who are a courteous and anti-militaristic people, to seethe. Spain well knows how the genius of European integration works on the side of liberty, democracy and human rights. The Spanish are right to castigate a British government which completely failed to use the Gibraltar anniversary as an opportunity to advance the social, economic and cultural integration of Gibraltar with its Spanish hinterland. It is bad enough that the nationalists have defeated Foreign Office attempts to open up the question of sovereignty. It is worse to learn that this government will not accept the request of the new Spanish government to use the EU to soften their border dispute. It is shameful to see 21st century Britain celebrate the military occupation of the territory of an EU partner. Down with Hoon! Up with Penn!

Well... I'll tell you what you insulting 'old Duffer'... what is shameful is to see a British LibDem MEP supporting Spain against the wishes of 30,000 British people in Gibraltar!!!

Up with British Gibraltar! Down with stupid old Duff!

Gibraltar is left behind as the last colony in mainland Europe? Hmmmm!! Well I hope Mr Duff did not miss the news of the referendum approving Gibraltar's new Constitution in 2006, which de facto, by an act of self determination, decolonised Gibraltar.. even though the UN is having some difficulty coming round to that realisation!

"Tawdry nationalism that pervaded the event" that caused the Spanish, "who are a courteous and anti-militaristic people, to seethe"??? ha ha!! Courteous and Anti militaristic? Yeah... just as they are showing with their recent transgressions of Gibraltar's British sovereign territorial waters! Great courtesy that!! Don't make me laugh Mr Duff!!!

How about this one... it really takes the biscuit!

"The Spanish are right to castigate a British government which completely failed to use the Gibraltar anniversary as an opportunity to advance the social, economic and cultural integration of Gibraltar with its Spanish hinterland. "

So... Duff... you clearly do not believe in democracy eh? I mean, why take into account the freely and democratically expressed wishes of the huge majority of Gibraltarians, who in at least three referendums (referenda if you like) since 1967, have consistently and unequivocally expressed the wish to remain British! Nothing to do with the UK Foreign Office! Gibraltar says so... that's the freely expressed wishes of 30,000 European British citizens... which you are rudely brushing aside... as if they don't matter. Why... just to have a go at Hoon? Hmmmm!!

Mr Duff... your experience of the Spanish... clearly does not extend as far as mine does (or indeed of Gibraltarians who know the Spanish for what they really are)! Your view is obviously formed and restricted to nice holidays sunning yourself in Spain or from the diplomatic confines of a sterilised and hypocritical European Parliament who is continually sucking up to Spain... while they mug us for all it!s worth, for endless EU funded projects... which no doubt Mr Duff you helped to approve!

I wonder if in the intervening years, since he wrote that in 2004, has Mr Duff reflected on his rather anti Gibraltarian (if not anti British) views?? I would suspect not!

So Mr Duff... one simple question... what's wrong with being British?

Here's another, when it comes to supporting Britain in Europe... or other European countries such as Spain... who can the electorate look forward to you supporting... that of the British interest or Spain's??

So now what? Who to vote for?

Well, after I discovered this little gem from our great European... who finds a problem with being British... and with democracy, there's no way I'm going to give him my vote!

Trouble is... Duff or no Duff... I still want to support the Liberal Democrats as I've always done. What a quandary!

Oh... but hold on... Linda Jack is also standing for the LibDems and she has a good chance of becoming our second MEP in this week's elections in the East of England. Hmmmm... I wonder where SHE stands on being British and on democracy!??

It appears that the Lib Dems need only a 3% swing on the 2004 result to win two seats in the European Parliament this time around. Well, I'll have to check her out now before I decide who I give my vote to... as I'm damn sure I'm not ever going to vote for this old Duffer again!

But Mr Duff... really needs to state clearly where he stands on being British! Does this 'old Duffer' support Britain and Britishness... in the EU... or not?? The East of England electorate... should really be told!!

As for me... I am even more confused than ever! I've written to Linda Jack, asking her to answer the same questions I've posed to Duff! Watch this space!

Update - 4th June 2009 - Election Day

As I said above, I contacted Linda Jacks and she, unlike the 'Duffer', had the courtesy to reply... in fact within about half an hour. This is what Linda Jacks said on being British:

Where I stand on Britishness. Like you I have served in the armed forces and continued to serve my fellow citizens in public service since.

I consider myself patriotic, if elected I will not only be representing the interests of the East of England but also the nation as a whole. Because of my commitment to my country I am also committed to seeing the success of the EU, we truly will be "stronger together". I am certainly not a little Englander, and frankly, like many of my fellow citizens would not be here at all if it hadn't been for cross European immigration!

There is much to do to reform the EU to make it more democratic and effective - to ensure it truly it upholds the very values expressed in the Lisbon Treaty.

That's good enough for me... and I thanked Linda for her candid, courteous and prompt reply. She WILL have my vote!

I AM still very pissed off with Duff

As for the 'Duffer'... I am still very pissed off with him... especially since he has not had the courtesy to reply to my two emails and various Tweets on Twitter!

Clearly... he does not want to answer... or considers he can avoid answering my questions without regard for me... or for the electorate. That in itself says a lot about him!

I shall continue to pursue him for an answer on where he stands on being British.

With this in mind, I have contacted all the local newspapers and one or two of the nationals too... hoping to interest them on the news... that Andrew Duff evades the straight question on where he stands on being British... and why does he negate the rights and freely and democratically expressed wishes of 30,000 European British citizens!!

Gibraltar MEP candidate Jonathan Stagnetto interviewed in Gibraltar Chronicle

Gibraltarian Jonathan Stagnetto, who is standing for election, under the Liberal Democrats list in Thursday's vote for the European Parliament in the Gibraltar and South West England Region constituency, is interviewed in today's Gibraltar Chronicle.

Talking to Paco Oliva, Jonathan Stagnetto says he is delighted to think he may be "setting a trend and opening the way for other Gibraltarians to form part of party lists at future European elections". He says his presence at these elections is "a positive development" which will serve to make them more relevant to the Gibraltarian electorate.

"Without a Gibraltarian presence, the people (of Gibraltar) would have been faced with a choice of UK parties and UK candidates that they would have found even harder to relate to.

Jonathan Stagnetto believes that, in political terms, the Liberal Democrat decision to select him reflects a solid commitment to Gibraltar "which has not been matched by anyone else" and adds that his "responsibility" will be "to provide an input of Gibraltar matters directly into the party line-up".

"The LibDems already had binding policy resolutions adopted at Conference, supporting Gibraltar at a UK, European and global level. My candidature takes this support and commitment to Gibraltar one step further."

Jonathan has also consistently declared, as he does again in the Chronicle interview, that his personal view has always been that Gibraltar should have its own MEP, its own seat and its own representation in the European Parliament. However, he also realises that, whilst this is something he would want to work for, this is not how things are at the moment and accepts that "we need to work within the system that exists at present".

This is one of the fundamental reasons I decided to support him... as I too have been saying for a long time, even before Gibraltar got the European election franchise in 2004, that Gibraltar should have its own representative in the European Parliament!

In the interview, Jonathan goes on to assert his belief that the current system has its advantages "since the Rock will have six MEPs as opposed to just one".

"It is up to the local electorate to remember which of them perform for Gibraltar, and which ones should no longer be considered worthy of the Gibraltar vote!"

No points for guessing who his choice might be!

For myself, I think both Graham Watson MEP and Neil Parish MEP have both supported Gibraltar very well in the European Parliament during the last five years.

Sadly, and even though I support the LibDems I say this sincerely, Neil Parish has now set his sites on Westminster and will be stepping down. He’s hoping to win a usually safe seat in Devon currently held by Angela Browning MP. Mr Parish has been a regular campaigner on the environmental issues arising from the Campo industries and in the Bay of Gibraltar and I will be sorry to see him go. I wish him well.

My own support, were I to be voting in this constituency, would be firmly with Graham Watson, who has also been relentless in his support for Gibraltar and its interest in the Strasbourg Parliament, particularly on human rights and the environment.

It is largely due to Mr Watson, with his support for a Gibraltar candidate, that Gibraltar has its own Gibraltarian representative, in Jonathan Stagnetto, who is standing within the list of the only major party that has shown this important initiative on Gibraltar's behalf.

Mr Waston is also the Leader of the European Parliament's Liberal Democrat group (ALDE - the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe).

So my vote would be very much a vote for the Liberal Democrat list... to ensure that Graham Watson remains one of the principal MEPs to represent Gibraltar. A vote for the Liberal Democrats, not only will ensure Mr Watson is re-elected but with enough support for the LibDem list, not just in Gibraltar but elsewhere in the constituency, the unlikely possibility of Jonathan Stagnetto winning a seat in the European Parliament, could become a reality. A slim chance I know... but a possible one! We can dream can't we?

As for the other main party's candidates, I have no idea where they've been over the last five years... and I follow Gibraltar politics closely!

About Jonathan Stagnetto

Jonathan Stagnetto is the only Gibraltarian who is standing as a candidate in the elections for the European Parliament.

He has been an Executive Member of the Liberal Party of Gibraltar for 18 years and is a past party chairman and election agent. He is standing as part of the Liberal Democrats list.

Support for Gibraltar MEP Candidate - How you can help

Support for Jonathan Stagnetto, on his Facebook Group, has grown rapidly during the short time since it was set up, with over 370 members as I write.

If you haven't done so already, why not join us and help support Jonathan's Campaign for Europe?

If you have family or friends in Gibraltar or living or perhaps studying in the constituency areas of the UK, you can also help by inviting them to join the Facebook group and support and vote for Jonathan.

Support our Gibraltarian candidate... Vote for the Liberal Democrat list on the 4th June and help elect the first Gibraltarian to the European Parliament!

Wishing Susan Boyle well...

I'm sad to hear the news that Susan Boyle has been admitted to The Priory clinic amid fears over her health following Britain's Got Talent Final on Saturday.

Britain's Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle has been taken to the Priory clinic after the Saturday night TV show final left her 'exhausted and emotionally drained'.

'She has been seen by her private GP who supports her decision to take a few days out for rest and recovery,' said a statement from programme-makers Talkback Thames.

In my blogging about her.... I've always thought she's a bit of an 'oddball'. The mind is a very fragile thing... and the line between being doolally and 'normal' is very fine... and in any case... what IS normal? Remember the Jack Nicholson film 'One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest'? That film said it all!

The turn of events during the last day or so are sad for Susan but she's in the right place and I hope they give her the care she needs and help pull her back on track after the huge pressure and change in her life recently.

I wish her well and hope for a speedy recovery!

You can watch the video of her great performance on BGT Final on Saturday here. Can't post it here as 'embedding' has been disabled by YouTube for some reason.