Lib Dem Policy on Gibraltar (update) (at last)

A "little while" ago I had some concerns about the Lib Dem policy regarding Gibraltar. I have recently considered attempting to submit a motion to conference about it but wanted to make sure it was worthwhile.

I recently chased them up and got a response!

Conference notes:

a) The statement to the House of Commons made by the Foreign Secretary on 12th July 2002 in which he reported on the conduct of talks under the 1984 Brussels Process on the future of Gibraltar.

b) The large-scale demonstrations and other public expressions of opinion by the citizens of Gibraltar on joint sovereignty and the status of any agreement between Spain and the UK.

c) That the Liberal Democrats are firmly committed to the
principles of self-determination for all countries and territories.

d) That both the United Kingdom and Spain are required to honour
the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

e) That the terms of the 1969 constitution of Gibraltar state that
the UK Government will "never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes".

Conference believes that:

1. Talks under the Brussels Process should not be open-ended and
that the UK Government should now fix a date by which talks under this process should be concluded.

2. The UK Government should reject any concluded agreement that does not have the support of the people of Gibraltar and does not include the abandonment of any future Spanish claim to sovereignty over Gibraltar and the maintenance of the control of military facilities for as long as the UK wishes.

3. The people of Gibraltar must have the final say, in a referendum held in exercise of the right to self-determination, on their future status and on any proposed agreement.

Conference therefore calls on the Governments of the UK and Spain and the Government of Gibraltar to resolve all questions surrounding the status of Gibraltar in accordance with liberal and democratic principles and always putting the interests and wishes of the people of Gibraltar first.

Background briefing: this motion creates new policy.

Conference rejected an amendment to delete 'people of Gibraltar' and insert 'Gibraltarian Government' in 'Conference believes that' 2.

Now this was passed back in 2002. For that time this is a pretty good result. I think it needs updating though (e.g. to cover advances through tripartite process etc.) and intend to submit a more relevant motion for the Autumn conference. Maybe now we are part of the Government we will have some influence over the UK dealings on the subject.

If you have any ideas for the motion or want to help, please drop me an email - your help will be gratefully accepted. I'm drafting it on Google Wave and I'll send you my details if you would like to get involved.

I am hoping to submit this through my local party, but in case of any difficulty there I'm also on the lookout for conference reps who might be prepared to support it. Again, please give me a shout if you are prepared to consider helping.

I will be posting on Lib Dem Act too in an attempt to boost support.

Is the Independent throwing a strop about the #LibDems ? #Indystrop

An email arrived earlier from N.Lakhani@independent.co.uk
It looks like they have a nice balanced article planned...

This is a message for all Lib Dem activists, bloggers, party members and supporters. Anyone who is angered or ashamed or disappointed with the new coalition and what this means for Lib Dem policies and principles, and is willing to speak to the Independent on Sunday, which came out in support of tactical voting to keep the Tories out, please contact me.

Many thanks

Nina Lakhani
Independent on Sunday
News Desk
020 7005 2498

I think they are a little unhappy.

In its infinite wisdom the Twitterverse has provided a response. @willmill82 is planning to email saying how happy he is with it. Anyone else?

My letter to the Federal Exec on the Balanced Parliament issue

Liberal Democrats are often accused of cynical opportunism. It is regularly claimed that we will say and do anything for a sniff at power.

Now we may have the chance to prove this claim to be true or false.

For decades we have said that the country needs electoral reform. To go into a coalition without a referendum on electoral reform being a condition would confirm all of the negative things people say. If we could give up on such a central issue why should anyone believe us ever again?

Even with a referendum, going into coalition with the Tories would be a bitter pill, but by sticking to our guns we can at least show that we are prepared to act in the interests of the country without sacrificing our principles.

Not to be melodramatic or anything...

Long long time ago, I can still remember how that polling used to make me smile
And I knew if we had our chance, we could split those cursed banks
and maybe they's stay solvent for a while...

But Murdoch and Dacre made me shiver
With every paper they'd deliver
more lies on the doorstep
our message was getting wrecked

I can't remember if I cried when I read about the Oxford slide
we didn't win but we bloody tried
the day the great surge died

Bye bye to the Lib Dem landslide
Nadine Dorries re-elected even Ed Balls survived
Yet no party is quite home and dry..
PRs not just pie in the sky
PRs not just pie in the sky...

That nansy pansy Lib Dem immigration policy in full

1) A rolling amnesty for illegal immigrants after 14 years.

2) Scrapping exit checks so we don't know whether people have left when they were supposed to.

3) Allowing non-EU immigrants to settle anywhere whether the area can support them or not.

4) Not giving people a say in EU membership to deal with the ones who are about the right colour but talk funny.

Oh, hold on. That is what has happened so far. So what are those Lib Dem traitors going to do?

1) A one off exercise where people who have stayed out of trouble, speak English/Welsh and can prove that they have been here for 10 years can stop being exploited by criminals and start being exploited by the government instead. They also have to do some community service to make amends.

2) Reinstate exit checks so we know who is here and who isn't.

3) Create a dedicated Border Police force

4) Make work permits region specific so that non-EU workers can only go where they are needed.

5) An in/out referendum on the EU.

Of course (as I mentioned in an earlier post) I'm a good little Lib Dem and rather like being part of the EU. In common with the party think there is a heck of reform needed, but I am certain that we shouldn't give up on the idea.

Obviously this is simply my understanding of the policies, you should check the manifesto for yourself. Or just read the Mail/Express if you've already made up your mind and only want to hear that Lib Dem policies are an immigrant's charter or some such rubbish.

Paddy Ashdown speaking about the need for democratic reform

Speaking at the Catrin Finch Centre, Wrexham (sorry about the picture quality):

Why am I voting Lib Dem? I'm sure you want to know...

I don't think people should have to beg the Government for some of their tax money back. Simply not taking it from them in the first place seems a much better idea to me.

I believe that every vote should count, not only a few in marginal constituencies.

I like being able to live, work and study anywhere in the EU. I quite like foxes.

I don't like the economy being so dependent on financial services in London.

I think tax cuts should be targeted at people who need them, not those who never will.

I don't like people's lives and careers being completely destroyed for a silly mistake.

I want a Government that listens to experts rather than smearing them.

I think clear objectives should be set if we have to go to war.

I think soldiers at war should be paid as much as policemen on the streets and have the equipment they need.

I would like 3,000 more police officers (150 here in Wales)

I supported the campaign for Gurkha settlement rights.

I am certain that politics needs to be more transparent.

I am sure the Lib Dems are the best fit. I know they're not perfect. I don't agree with them on everything.