The PDP , in welcoming the visit of Minister for Europe Geoff Hoon to Gibraltar so soon after his appointment, says there is a danger of the constitutional debate being held in a vacuum, and that constitutional advance should not be held to ransom by the Spanish dimension.
A statement today ads: It is important for the Minister to hear first-hand what the people of Gibraltar think on important issues of the day. There are three issues on which the PDP would wish to make its views known to the Minister for onward transmission to the British Government.
The PDP call on Mr Hoon to transmit to the British Government that it should;
- Agree the final missing preambular language to the draft Constitution as soon as possible to enable the publication of the official text of the constitutional document to be voted on in referendum. This is important not only to assess the content and effect of such final language but also so that there can be a formal and detailed debate on this important question. So far views have been expressed without the content of the constitutional text and draft Order in Council being published officially. It is plain that there is a danger of the debate being held in a vacuum.
- Take into account that for the majority of people in Gibraltar constitutional advancement should not be affected or held to ransom by the Spanish dimension. To that extent while tripartite progress with Spain is to be welcomed [and will in due course - if agreements are reached - be judged on its separate merits] this process should not hamper our achievement of constitutional progress.
- Thirdly and while unrelated to these issues the British Government should act in a way that emphasises its recognition of the importance that a good continuing relationship with its locally employed civilian workforce has to its strategic military interests in Gibraltar. To that end the PDP urges that the in-house option, which will in due course be presented by the MOD workforce and the Gibraltar Trades Unions, be supported and accepted by the Defence Secretary. This will present the best possible package for Gibraltar and Britain's interests in Gibraltar.
The PDP say they have delivered a letter to the Office of the Governor making these points with a request that he transmit this to Mr Hoon.
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