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.
During a trip to London this week, the Chief Minister will today host a dinner for the British Gibraltar Parliamentary Group in the House of Commons. Mr Picardo will hold a further reception for members of the House of Lords tomorrow. Members are regularly seen supporting Gibraltar within the house.
Today, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, with Financial Services Minister Albert Isola at his side, announced the development of a new, locally owned bank for Gibraltar that will offer a full range of banking services. The policy formerly made an appearance in the 1996 GSLP manifesto and has continued to do so in successive manifestos. The Chief Minister noted during the announcement that plans for the Government owned Gibraltar International Bank (GIB) have been accelerated following Barclays Bank’s decision to reduce its retail and corporate services in Gibraltar.