Gibraltar’s representation at the Labour Party Conference continued yesterday evening with the Gibraltar Reception hosted by the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and featuring a keynote speech by the UK Minister for Europe and the Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty MP.
Dressed entirely in uniform, His Excellency the Governor yesterday visited the Gibraltar Army Cadets during their weekly training lessons, at the Buffadero Training Camp. The force is made up of 66 cadets and five instructors. The youngsters, who range between the ages of 12 and 18 carry out an annual syllabus which eventually leads to them achieving their 1 star, 2 star and 3 star awards.
The programme is funded by the Government and requires a great deal of work and time to be put into it, by retired military personal who carry out the course.
The PDP watched with interest the Parliamentary debate on the conclusions of the Commission of Democratic and Parliamentary Reform and welcome the decision of the Government to establish a cross-party select committee to consider the commission’s findings and give further thought to Gibraltar’s future Democratic and Parliamentary structure specifically the enlargement of Parliament.
This year’s annual Short Story Competition was carried out as part of the 2013 Gibraltar Spring Festival. The contest boasted 246 entries, which were judged by Mr. Charles Durante, Mrs Aida Delaney and Mrs Patsy Scott.
Commenting on the entries, and the competition itself, Mr. Durante noted that writing short stories is one way to put across our love of language. He added that in Gibraltar we are blessed with many people who revel in the imaginative use of language. Mr. Durante explained that this year’s competition is testimony to this love of language. He noted that this year’s entries had been truly impressive, both in terms of numbers and quality.
The Secular Humanist Society of Gibraltar fully supports Jaime Netto MP, in his speech advocating discontinuing the practice of Parliamentary Prayer, made in Parliament on Tuesday 4th June.