This last year has been a busy one for us in many ways. Our main priorities during this time have been to extend our work for Gibraltar in three main areas and I am pleased to report the solid progress we have made on them to you now.
Firstly, we have actively developed our range of policies for the Rock in both the domestic and international scenes. As you know this has included (among other things) presenting to the public our Devolved Integration proposals as a final and comprehensive solution to Gibraltar's political and security problems.
I am pleased to say that not only has it has gathered momentum locally, particularly after the Referendum held in November but has also been taken up by numerous Members of Parliament and others in the U.K. There is no need here to outline every aspect of the package, but members will remember the public leaflet we distributed on this and our other policies, copies of which are available again here tonight..
Our other policy initiatives during this last year have included vital prescriptions for Gibraltar in the areas of Social Justice, the needs of local people regarding housing, law and order, electoral reform and of course our new economic plans for Gibraltar. All of these were met with interest by the public and featured prominently in the local media. They all constituted yet another stage in the development of our unique and innovative approach to politics.
In the ILF we have always had a clear and distinct view of the kind of society we want for Gibraltar. This of course is one based on the values of genuine Social and Ecological Liberalism, Justice and Opportunity for all, environmental wisdom and real grassroots democracy.
This has often brought us into conflict with those in this community who have, shall we say, a more traditional outlook. However, we have always felt that the ultimate truth we are promoting will eventually triumph. After all, there was once a time when anyone who advocated a free Health Service, state education for all or even votes for women was dismissed by most people as a fringe radical. Now all these things are normal parts of everyday life and one day our ideas will be too. We will continue to develop our approach and our policies in the time to come, steadily and persuasively, directly and indirectly until the society Gibraltar needs becomes a reality.
Linked to all this is the second main area of our work this past year. It has involved the important development of our links with others who share our aims to one degree or another. We have done this in order to advance our goals of social freedom, fairness and security for all Gibraltar's people and to make common cause, when appropriate with like minded people who are not at present members of this party.
To that end, the ILF has continued to work closely, for instance, with the March for Justice Committee (and its component bodies) to extend the cause of justice for all people here, whether members of the immigrant communities or the wider population as a whole. We have also developed many useful and continuing links with both the Integration With Britain Movement and the Environmental Safety Group.
As I say, we have made a good start in forming co-operative links with these other groups and individuals who we regard as being of value in advancing the principles and policies for Gibraltar in which we believe
Another example, on your behalf, I met in London last month with the Leadership of the Green Party of England and Wales to explore ways in which our two parties may co-operate for the good of Gibraltar. I also attended a plenary session of the London Federation of Green parties.
During the year, we have also had numerous meetings with local groups and individuals within Gibraltar with a view to co-ordinating possible activities and plans which the ILF regards as beneficial for the Rock and its people. These have included, among others, the Moroccan Community Association, the Psychological Support Group, the Gibraltar Indian Residents Association, GGR, DOCRA, GONHS and the Womens Association.
At this point I would just like emphasise how grateful I am to the outgoing ILF Executive Committee who have worked so hard on these vital matters, often in very difficult circumstances. I especially commend our Party’s Secretary and Treasurer for all their efforts together with those of all the other Executive members.
Our Party has always realised the importance of effective publicity. To this end, during the last year we have refined and extended our procedures and methods for communicating with the public and the media in order to project our message even more effectively. This constitutes the third main strand of our work this past year and of course it is interwoven with the other two.
The Internet, in particular has been of increasing value to us. More and more people use this medium all the time. Our Party's website has had an increasing traffic in visitors, especially since the site was extensively revised a few months ago. I would especially like to thank Al, and Adrian for all their work to develop and extend this important means of projecting our message locally and internationally.
We have also increasingly made use of emails rather than faxes (as previously) to issue our press releases and correspond with our contacts. The speed and efficiency of this medium has obvious advantages but the method also requires caution-something we have learned during this year!
We have also, as a Party, continued to use more traditional methods of communication. For instance, mass delivery of literature when appropriate has always been an important part and will continue to be so.
Well, I see I have just about reached the limit of my time for this speech. So Mr.Chairman and members, I have the greatest pleasure in thanking you all for your support in my Leadership role this past year and for nominating me to continue in that position for the next.
In closing I would like everyone here tonight to realise three things. Three vital things based on our clear and comprehensive vision for Gibraltar.
The ILF is working, the ILF is advancing and the ILF will change Gibraltar for the better.
We're on our way so…let's keep moving !