PRESS STATEMENT BY THE GSLP LIBERALS & MR JOHNNY JONES

"..The Leader of the GSLP, Fabian Picardo, is delighted to announce that Mr Johnny Jones, well known former teacher at Comprehensive School level, has agreed to work with Mr Licudi, Mr Picardo and other members and supporters of the GSLP/Liberals.."

The Leader of the GSLP, Fabian Picardo, is delighted to announce that Mr Johnny Jones, well known former teacher at Comprehensive School level, has agreed to work with Mr Licudi, Mr Picardo and other members and supporters of the GSLP/Liberals in a committee focusing on the policies that the GSLP/Liberals will present in their manifesto for the coming general election.    Mr Jones has also joined the GSLP and indicated to Mr Picardo that he will be allowing his name to go forward to the executive of the GSLP as a potential candidate for the party in the said election.

 Commenting on Mr Jones’ decision to offering himself to be chosen as a candidate for the party, Fabian Picardo said: “Johnny Jones is well known as a no nonsense and straightforward character.  He joins a growing list of people who are volunteering their time, experience and services to the GSLP so that in our alliance with the Liberal Party we can formulate the policies and candidature that will persuade the electorate to choose us as the best option to administer Gibraltar’s affairs for the next four years.   I am delighted to have people of Johnny’s calibre available to the party and I am sure he will be a tremendous help in formulating policy in the massively important area of education.  He is another person of quality available for our executive to select as a candidate when the election is called.”

 Mr Jones himself said:  “For much of the past 16 years and even during their time in opposition, my sympathies lay with the GSD, although I never became a member of the party. Nevertheless, when asked by Mr. Caruana to form part of the Housing Tribunal, I immediately agreed in order to continue serving Gibraltar in some way and I have remained on it since its inception.

 “I have always followed local politics closely and with the next General Election looming, I asked myself if the time was not ripe for a change after four terms on having the same party in government.  Whilst giving this some serious thought, I had a call from a past pupil of mine who asked me whether I would like to form part of a committee to look into the Education policies that would be in the manifesto for the GSLP/Liberals.  The voice at the other end of the phone was none other than Fabian Picardo.  I agreed, and I have been working closely with other teachers (some retired like me and some still working) in formulating educational policy for the party and making use of my 37 years teaching experience in Gibraltar in secondary education.   

“One thing led to another and although Mr. Picardo knew that my leanings had previously been towards the GSD.  I was convinced that the policies he was seeking to introduce in Government, should the GSLP / Liberals win the election, coincided with the way I think.  So after considering the issues and intensive discussions with those close to me, I decided that it would be right to throw my hand in with the forward thinking and collegiate approach of the new leader of the GSLP, Mr. Fabian Picardo.

 “I sincerely believe that 16 years in power is far too long for any Chief Minister.  Fabian Picardo has voiced in public the changes he wishes to make if his party wins the next election.  These changes are exciting, vibrant, progressive and far reaching and include.

·       A clear commitment to openness and transparency.

·       Creating a Parliament that is once again the voice of the people and not a place for insults.

·       Establishing an Independent Commission for Reform of our Democracy, Parliament and Electoral System.

·       Monthly meeting of Parliament for questions, legislation, government and opposition motions on a published Parliamentary timeable so that the public and MPs know when items are coming up for debate.

·       Debates to be broadcast live and on-line.

·       A Ministerial Code of conduct, which I think is much needed.

·       A Freedom of Information Act.

·       A Citizen’s Charter.

·       A Whistle Blower Protection Act.

·       20 year rule for the disclosure of documents.

“Mr Picardo’s philosophy is like mine, that Parliament and Government are elected by the people, govern for the people, are answerable to the people and no more than the servants of the people.

 “Having read and studied closely the many proposals the GSLP/Liberals led by Mr. Picardo intend to implement if returned to government, I now have no qualms in supporting Mr. Picardo and his party as the best option for Gibraltar.  That is why became a member of the GSLP and why I am putting my name forward to the executive of the party to became a candidate at the general election if they wish to select me from the pool of people available to them.