APPOINTMENT OF NEW SPEAKER AT GIBRALTAR PARLIAMENT

Text of speech by the Chief Minister, the Hon. Fabian Picardo

Mr Presiding Member,
I have the honour to move the motion standing in my namely that Haresh Kishinchand Budhrani be appointed Speaker of the Gibraltar Parliament.

Mr Presiding Member, first of all, it is fantastic to see you recognised in your role as father of the House, as the longest serving member now here since 1972. By your taking the Chair we follow today the tradition at Westminster that it should be the longest serving member who takes the Chair at these times.

On the substantive motion all I will say is that in difficult and combative times in the past four years Haresh Budhrani has in my view pleased and displeased members on both sides of the House in almost equal measure and that seems to me to be an excellent qualification for continuing in post.

As we move towards an agenda of reforming this place I think there is great value in continuity and I am very grateful for Mr Budhrani’s agreement to continue in post.

Having not supported his initial appointment, it gives me great pleasure to now propose the motion to appoint him; demonstrating how he has proved our concerns wrong by his fair treatment of all members and his always amiable disposition at the worst and cruellest moments of our recent parliamentary history. I therefore commend the motion to the House.