Delegation from Gibraltar to hand petition to No10 Downing Street

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 Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - 11:13

A delegation of the Representation in Westminster Movement will be travelling to the U.K. to deliver its Petition, first on Thursday 27th to the Chamber of the House of Commons, and on Friday the 28th, at 1.30pm, to Mrs. Teresa May at No.10 Downing Street. 

A first copy of the Petition was handed to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister on Friday 15th February at No. 6 Convent Place. "We have asked the Chief Minister to present the Petition to the Gibraltar Parliament at its next meeting in March," said statement.

The Petition includes 14,000 signatures of which 11,200 are from resident Gibraltar and this represents 56% of the voting population.

The Petition asks Her Majesty’s Government of the U.K. to enfranchise Gibraltarians with a vote to elect its own Representative in the House of Commons to meet a Parliamentary Deficit that denies Gibraltarians a voice in the British Parliament whenever matters related to Gibraltar come up for discussion.

The Movement’s policy is for Gibraltar to have Representation whilst retaining all its existing Devolved Powers, therefore there is no question of Gibraltar losing any control over its Devolved legislative powers in economic or domestic matters.

"We emphasise that the Gibraltar Government retains its present level of self-government. On the other hand, matters concerning Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security that may arise for debate in the House of Commons will be debated by Gibraltar’s own representative," they add.

How and where this Representative is represented is a matter for the British Electoral Commission just as happened with the European Enfranchisement.

"A fourth copy of the Petition will be hand to Craig Mackinlay on the 27th. Mr. Mackinlay, totally unconnected with our Movement, coincidentally moved a Bill in the House of Commons with exactly the same purpose as our own. Mr Mackinlay’s Bill is endorsed officially by 12 other well-known MPs," the group says.

And adds: Following our delivery of the Petition to No 10 the Movement will be holding a reception at Gibraltar House in the Strand where refreshments and tapas will be served. Those friends of Gibraltar who find themselves in London on the 28th and wish to meet with us are welcome to come to the reception at 2.30pm.

26-02-19 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR