Bring back the Sterling Area – a British revival?

Opinion - by SIR ANDREW COOK

With more than two years of largely futile in-fighting, agonising and speculating behind it, Britain is set to leave the European Union in two weeks’ time. Those who encouraged this look on uneasily. Recklessly and with false promises, they uncorked the bottle and released the Brexit genie. Meanwhile, the Remainers prepare to flee or brace themselves to face a future at best uncertain, at worst catastrophic.   Read more

THE END OF A STRANGE PAIRING

By KEN WESTMORELAND

In 2014, I voted in elections to the European Parliament as a voter in the South West England constituency, which had included Gibraltar for the past ten years. It was touching to see a familiar name, that of Lyana Armstrong-Emery, on the ballot paper, the only candidate from Gibraltar on a party list, though also surreal, given how little others in the region knew of it, or her.  Read more

What is the UK waiting for

Recognizing that we are at the mercy of Spain if the UK leaves, the question poised to Lord Callanan in the House of Lords recently was, “What are we doing for Gibraltar?” His reply, “I have not heard any detail about that.” Not very reassuring to say the least! Then he went on to say that if the issues put to him, were of such importance to the Government (UK) then surely it; i.e. the UK government; should have been up front and clear, as to precisely what they were offering, and should have considered whether compensation, or something else of that kind might be required.  Read more

What awaits us next

It is expected that the PSOE will lose the forthcoming elections. Sanchez forgot for one moment the promises he had made to the other parties who helped him get into Government. Read more

The EU is losing all their credentials

Ever since I heard on the news that the much awaited sewage treatment plant is soon be built in Gibraltar, I have been pondering on the matter of the sludge; which was also mentioned at the time; which is intended for landfill in Spain.  Read more

Old friends with different opinions

Letter from Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey to minister Joe Bossano:

Dear Joe,

I received your letter and it’s always good to hear from an old friend. Read more

Cheque Presentation — Convent Christmas Fair

Dear Sir,

Mrs Davis and the Convent Christmas Fair Committee would like to thank all the amazingly generous sponsors and prize donators who contributed to yet another remarkably successful Convent Christmas Fair, which has raised so much money for The Special Olympics and, the other beneficiary charity, the Gibraltar League of Hospital Friends and St John Ambulance.”  Read more

What else is there to say?

Last week, we heard exiting Mps express their dismay, to put it mildly, with words such as “Our values no longer find expression” “We are tired of labels” “We don’t want to be patronized” etc. Words which give rise to a scenario of British politics being consumed and squandered. Phrases; some of which are not dissimilar to our own echoed in the past. One MP even spoke of Westminster as an egocentric place which is alien to them; where one dare not tread.  Read more

Memories

I remember starting a chapter in my memoirs which I titled “Back in the old familiar streets on Market Day.” It came to mind because it is about the sweet recollection of the past; of our memories; and it’s a fact that nowadays, we have become very aware of the ailments of old age, and sometimes not so old, which afflict so many all over the world, including this small and kind nation of ours.  Read more

Memories

I remember starting a chapter in my memoirs which I titled “Back in the old familiar streets on Market Day.” It came to mind because it is about the sweet recollection of the past; of our memories; and it’s a fact that nowadays, we have become very aware of the ailments of old age, and sometimes not so old, which afflict so many all over the world, including this small and kind nation of ours.  Read more

Cost of GBC per household more than twice the UK's TV licence

Dear Sir,

I read Sandra Haynes's letter about the cost of GBC with great interest, as the figure that she quotes, £4.7 million works out at £397 for each of Gibraltar's 11,812 households, more than double the cost of the UK licence fee, currently £150 a year, and even more than the Danish media licence, at £290 a year, which is payable by anyone with an internet-enabled device, although it is to be funded out of taxation instead from this year.  Read more

Suddenly, the noisy brigade shut up without explanation...

The ARMANDO LAGRANDE Column

Once upon a time there were complaints about nuclear submarines calling at Gibraltar, but such noises have ceased. One should ask why the said groups were so vociferous, and why they are no longer heard?  Read more

PUBLIC SECTOR UNSUSTAINABLE ECONOMICALLY AND INDEFENSIBLE SOCIALLY, SAYS JOE BOSSANO

*Letter from economics minister Joe Bossano to Unite's General Secretary Len McCluskey, sent to us for favour of publication:

*Growing by annual average of £28 million

*Civil Service pay is 25% higher than UK

*Increasing gap between lowest and highest paid, and between public sector and private sector worker

Comrade Len,

In your GBC interview, you said that I was pushing austerity and that it didn’t make any sense. You are right it does not make any sense because I am not pushing austerity as you claim. You also say you are astonished at my comments so I thought I should explain to you what I am commenting on. Read more

GBC and public money

Dear Sir,

With the long anticipated move of GBC to new premises at Jumpers Bastion due this year, I question whether the Government has been upfront about the cost of this and been clear on who is footing the bill.  Read more

Thanks to all my friends

Dear Sir,

I am returning to the UK to be nearer my family as I am now in my 80s.

This letter is to say 'thank you' to all the lovely and diverse friends I have made during my 17 years on the Rock. The next chapter of my life is about to begin which is exciting but I go with a heavy heart as I know I will miss you all.  Read more

Fantastic work for this cancer-related charity

Dear Sir,

I am writing to you on behalf of Knitted Knockers Costa del Sol to ask if you would consider to raise awareness of the fantastic work this charity does for ladies who have suffered from breast cancer.  Read more

Spain needs the UK not the other way around

It was in 1997 when Gibraltar already envisaged a future status with the EU possible under some type of special arrangement. What a turn for the books! Having said this, if Spain had not vomited yet another lot of vile, the obvious answer would have been to give Gibraltar membership of the customs union and single market by special protocol; a bespoke arrangement like other EU microstates enjoy, such as Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican City and Andorra.  Read more

More pro-Gibraltarian que los monos del monte

Caramba, que semana de sustos, como que a mi Johnny hasta se le ha caido el poco pelo que tenia.

My dear Cloti, take it easy, or don't you know that in the end we always win.

Ya lo se, Cynthia mia, we are blessed. Pero que dijera Santa Teresita que it was not an incursion when ships were even being ordered out of our British Forever Waters, eso fue el colmo.  Read more