Party Poopers or the Suppression of Dissent in a Democratic Society

Well, it came to pass. VOX was evicted; in actual fact, locked out, but the paper is out there on the streets again this week. It will take a lot more than sheer vindictiveness to silence it. Whilst there's a nook and cranny anywhere on The Rock, it'll be published. The perpetrators of such infamy will excuse themselves by stating that they are only recovering long-standing arrears. These date back to the days of the previous editor and ignored during his tenure. Only when VOX became the voice of dissidence, did the retaliatory measures rear their ugly head. Long-time avid readers of VOX will recall many an article by the late Eddie Campello on the preferential treatment, if not patronage, meted out to this and that 'institution' with superior arrears. Of course, they've kept their mouths shut and fingers crossed. Whether one likes it or not, only those, fawningly prepared to say 'Yes Master', will survive in the autocratic climate reigning in Gibraltar today. All dissent is systematically brushed aside with total disdain and those voicing it considered 'party poopers'. Perhaps Emperor Nero, playing his fiddle whilst Rome burned, thought likewise when any of his fellow Romans dared to question his deed.

A Phythonesque Outlook
From the outset this columnist has tried to offer a phythonesque outlook on the local political scene, acrimonious as it is at the best of times. Party partisanship has never been a consideration, irrespective what the sycophants, on both sides, may say. Criticism, biting or satirical, has been persistent and directed at those in power, who, at the end of the day, with or without consultation, take decisions that affect everyone. The Elected Opposition has, likewise, come under fire for its lack of consistency or foresight and most important of all, the expedient nature of their interventions, or non-intervention, as the case may be. Other parties' pronouncements have been praised or questioned as seen appropriate. Readers can rest assured that there's no, repeat no, personal animosity towards any politician and all 'attacks' are against the public cum political office each holds and the repercussions or consequences of their actions. Furthermore, whether they are saints or devils in private life, it doesn't matter an iota; but when their omnipotent traits dictate the lives of the population at large, then they must be prepared to take the heat. Well, that's how it tends to work in a democratic society. However, the incident of the lone protester on Iberia Day and the assault on VOX cast a dark shadow over the pluralistic future Gibraltar yearns for.

'Jim Crow Lives!'
Last week's article, 'Jim Crow Lives!' raised a lot of eyebrows, but still left some as incredulous as ever. Many can well imagine how it must have gone down with the administration, the recipients of its patronage and the ever-faithful fundamentalists. Surprise there's hasn't been a hysterical reaction a la 'Mohammedan Cartoons', but, surely, precipitated the paper's lock-out/eviction. Sales of the said edition was standard but the piece received more hits on the website than any other previous contribution.  Comments posted therein have been generally encouraging and supportive.  It's a pity that the indicted, with the odd exception, have deemed it opportune to refrain from expressing an opinion. Maybe after all, there is a ban on the GSD faithful reading VOX. This newspaper is open to all points of view and readers, of whatever political persuasion, are welcome to do so, preferably with a bona-fide name, though those from anonymous 'machos' will be considered, as in the recent past.  Who knows? It could be the start of rational debate, so lacking over the last few years, especially since his majesty, the all omnipotent and infallible absolute monarch laid down his 'twin-track' approach to god-knows where.

New Year's Message
Listening to the Chief Minister's New Year's Message on television, many must have wondered why his words were not accompanied by one of those monumental music scores reminiscent of Hollywood blockbusters. GBC, with its 'limited' - but subsidised by the taxpayers - resources and arch promoters of his 'Gibraltar va bien', must certainly pull their socks up or endure his wrath. Some of presenters at South Barracks - in awe at the best of times - must have been in ecstasy on this occasion. An acute sense of preservation for their 'cushy number' does that to people, however professional. Could a possible change of regime bother them or would it be simply a matter of 'buying' a new jacket? Having subsequently read the transcript, more than once, it appears that everything here is hanky-dory. As the dissenters have been disparaged or silenced, he has plenty of time on his hands. He can fly off to London and Washington and solve Blair and Bush's predicaments over Iraq before Al-Qaida hits The Rock; more history-making and another miracle to add to his long list of supernatural achievements.

A General Election
The said seasonal greeting, a cross between a 'state of the nation' address and a preview of the electoral manifesto, leaves Harold Macmillan's 'you've never had it so good' and 'wind of change' speeches in nappies. Though the local version of the former may be debatable, in macro-economic terms, the latter's is totally dependent on Spanish 'elementos' and not necessarily in meteorological speak. What the whole exercise boils down to - reflected in the final paragraph of the message - is 'rejoice and be merry, for tomorrow you die' and leave the politics to his unilateral self. Anyone who dissents gets, at best vilified and at worst, crucified. With a General Election in the imminent offing, the GSLP/Liberal Alliance, through the Leader of the Opposition, has also made its intentions clear. People must seriously consider what's on offer, not on a selfish personal basis, but for the betterment of all. It is not an auction. Obviously, the sycophants and adulators, on both sides of the political divide, will take their respective 'master's voice' as bible-truth. These represent approximately 60% of the electorate. Twenty percent do not vote. It's the remaining 20%, the 'floaters', freethinking or otherwise, who will swing it one way or the other. To put it mildly, the future of The Rock is in their hands, if not, their brains. Therefore, it is imperative that both the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition are totally frank in their electoral campaigns, with no spin, propaganda or acrimony. Issues must be debated rationally, without scaremongering and mud slinging. The well being of all Gibraltarians must be paramount at all times, above any personal egos, political survival or resurrection. A re-election of the GSD administration must not be construed by the victors as an acceptance of autocratic governance, but as the acknowledgement of specific policies to be implemented with total transparency, accountability and most important of all, in a democratic manner. Similarly, a win for the other side will bring changes, but does not mean licence for a vengeful turkey-shoot.

Córdoba Accords
The Chief Minister has cleverly landscaped his twin track approach to give the impression that each rail is separate, but supplementing each other and affording their respective benefits. As far as the dissenters are concerned, everything is intrinsically linked. The Tripartite Forum in general and the Córdoba Accords in particular, will bring 'normality', or so he says. But 'normality' is a subjective word and time will tell how 'normal' life becomes. By then, it may be too late though. Telephones, that's fine, even if Telefónica takes over. Green and red channels will facilitate flow to some extent, though there are already problems on this side of the frontier/fence, not surprising with the overall state of traffic on The Rock. Discriminatory undertones, at least for the local OAPs, appear to cloud the pensions issue. There's no point in going over the airport deal again as the miracle worker and the dissidents will never agree; well, until it's fully operational and everyone sees how things work out in practice. Notwithstanding and politics aside, its environmental impact must be taken seriously. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating. Further agreements will now be easier because Spain is happy with the new Constitution.

The 'Magna Carta'
The 'magna carta', now in force after approval by 37% of the electorate, is, undoubtedly, an advance on the 1969's, though certain elements are still questionable. It may represent a more mature, modern - and to some, non-colonial in nature - relationship with the UK. It does not decolonise The Rock and that leaves the Spanish with an almost free rein, with HMG's acquiescence, at the UN. Therefore, it is definitely not the act of self-determination, irrespective what the Chief Minister and the F&CO have to say on the matter. Furthermore, the Spaniards reiterated their position to the UN in a letter back in December. Any local efforts, with or without UK assistance, contrary to the neighbours' stance, will herald the end of the Tripartite Forum and any future understandings. Neither the 'man for all seasons' nor the mandarins in Whitehall want or will permit that to happen.

So, where is this entire rapprochement leading? It's simple. First comes inter-dependency, followed shortly by dependency, with regular, but subtle encroachments into all aspects of Gibraltarian life, duly camouflaged by the Chief Minister's real or virtual goodies. Whether the majority of the locals will be able to afford or benefit, directly or indirectly, from such treasures, in a Monaco-like environment, is a matter that has to be addressed promptly and conscientiously. Alternatively, everyone can enjoy it as best they can, as proposed by the Chief Minister, and leave everything else to him to decide unilaterally, The impressive list of projects in the pipeline, so eloquently announced in the New Year Message, with its obvious electoral overtones, omitted to mention the pharaonic Eastside, so dependent on an airport deal, or so it was said at the time. '¿Qué pasa?' Well, either there's been a fall-out between the GoG and the developers; the environmental impact study is negative - i.e. contaminated earth or something else - or perhaps it's a matter of territorial waters? Well, if he respects the claim…

This is all for today. As long as VOX survives there'll be plenty more.

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