UP THE POLL

When I was a child, which was many years ago, if somebody was thought to be a bit mad they were said to be up the pole.

I have just read in the Gibraltar Chronicle the latest opinion poll carried out amongst the Rock’s electorate and can’t help wondering if “up the poll” applies here.

It reports that the “pro-government newspaper” 7-Days says the ruling GSD will romp home with 32.73 per cent of the vote with the GSLP – Liberal coalition on 18.18 per cent.

Now I have been a Gibraltar watcher for 18 years and I can’t ever remember there being that wide a gap between the parties. Indeed in recent outings to the ballot box it has been a matter of several percentage points dividing the two.

Apparently 440 people were sampled which given the size of the Rock’s electorate is a good number. The same poll shows 37.27 per cent undecided which also has me scratching my head.

There will be one major change when Gibraltar goes to the polls either this year or next. It is expected that the veteran GSLP leader and former chief minister, Joe Bossano, will step down and that another younger blood will head the party. The most likely new leader is Fabian Picardo although Gilbert Lucudi might dispute that. Interestingly whilst this poll said 8.18 per cent favoured Joe Boss as chief minister, 6.36 preferred Fabian Picardo against the 31.98 per cent of the incumbent Peter Caruana. Thirty-five per cent didn’t know.

Now a cynic might say, so that’s me off the hook, that given that the poll was carried out by 7 Days it was merely a distorted campaigning piece for the GSD. May be so – but in recent elections the Gibraltar daily Panorama has been uncannily accurate in its polls – and it is in the opposition camp.

I have certainly not detected any such massive public opinion swing since the last elections or that the Gibraltar voters are so undecided on who to vote for. However I do acknowledge that if Joe Boss does step down from the leadership of the GSLP then it will mark as big a sea change in Gibraltar’s politics as Margaret Thatcher resigning the leadership of Britain’s Tories – and that could factor in the electorate’s indecision.

GARZÓN NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT NOW

Earlier this week I wrote a news item on Spain’s campaign judge, Baltsar Garzón. I reported how last weekend in Granada premier José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero had praised his work against ETA terrorism but said it would be inappropriate for him to comment on the current deliberations against Garzón in the Supreme Court.

Also on Saturday an event was held in Jaén to show its support for Garzón at which Gaspar Zarrías was present. The socialist secretary for political autonomy and institutional relations joined intellectuals and artists to defend the judge before the “assault of inhumanity and immorality”. Those present argued that these actions against him put in to crisis the state of the law and judicial independence in Spain.

His plight has been reported on in newspapers around the world including The Financial Times and Los Angeles Times. Now I have received an email from Avaaz which I am happy to reprint in full:

“Right now the Supreme Court is considering stripping Judge Baltasar Garzón of his license.

“Garzón is famous for fearlessly pursuing crimes against humanity abroad. But when he chose to investigate Spain's past atrocities and recent corruption scandals, legal actions and a political campaign were launched to destroy him and bury the truth.

“Garzón is accused of violating the 1977 amnesty law, but legal experts say international law is clear: crimes against humanity cannot be amnestied. The Supreme Court now faces a historic choice: uphold the rule of law and their constitutional responsibility, or allow ideology and impunity over justice.

“This fight will be won or lost in the court of public opinion. The Supreme Court is under with 1 million of us standing up for democracy and universal human rights.

“Whatever we think of Garzón, he has gained a reputation for his relentless efforts to seek justice, pursue brutal dictators, terrorists, drug mafias and corrupt politicians.

“But the Supreme Court has admitted three complaints against him, two of which could impact on two crucial investigations for our democracy: the case of crimes against humanity, and the Gürtel case, one of the largest bribery and corruption scandals in our recent history.

“The crimes against humanity case is straight forward - these crimes are of such gravity that international law does not permit accused perpetrators to hide behind national amnesty laws, even if this law played a role at the time of our political transition.

“If the court removes Garzón's license it will be undermining their commitment to universal human rights and with it our faith in the judicial system. “This petition is about all of us, beyond our political or party allegiances, defending our democracy, which is already weakened by an acute economic and political crisis and a plague of corruption. Only through bold citizens' actions can we ensure that our political leaders and institutions work for the common good.”

This is our moment! Click here to sign.

EGOS AND THE EGG

Spain’s controversial new abortion law has passed through both Congress and the Senate and will shortly become law. However that has not prevented those who bitterly oppose the legislation from taking to the streets in all the major towns and cities in Spain on Sunday.

The law will bring Spain in to line with the majority of other EU nations. It also proposes that girls aged 16 can have an abortion without telling their parents. This clause still stands but has been amended saying they should inform their parents but if passing on the information would leave them open to violence or difficult situations then they do not have to do so.

The Partido Popular has chosen to make the new law a campaigning issue and says that if returned to office it would overturn it. It had also pledged to ask the Constitutional Court to reject the legislation. Many of its leading figures took part in the street marches turning demonstrations of conscience in to political parades.

The main opposition to the law has been headed by Catholic lay organisations under the Derecho a Vivir banner which is part of Hazteoir.org. It is now involved in a dispute with its one time partner Foro Español that boycotted Sunday’s demonstrations. They say there is no different between them on core beliefs – so I guess it is a clash of egos making the embryo a curate’s egg.

I have made my belief plain here in the past. I can accept contraception but I cannot condone abortion as a belated form of conception. I believe the unborn child demands our protection except in exceptional circumstances. However I object to a political party high jacking the issue for their electoral gain – especially as the Partido Popular introduced the current abortion law. I also object to the PP wearing the purple of the Catholic Church's hierarchy - we have been here before under Franco.

I would argue that a person’s view on abortion is a personal, core issue hence whilst my beliefs will not be shaken I accept those who sincerely hold opposing views will not be moved either. Any political party is a wide church so its members will hold a variety of beliefs be it right, left or centre - matters of conscience should not be manipulated for political gain.

TIME TO START DOING IT!

Yesterday was International Women’s Day. I have nothing against International Days per se – as long as they are used to highlight a worthwhile cause. The International Women’s Day would get my nod, the International Day of Dwile-flonking a raspberry.

The International Women’s Day celebrated its 100 th anniversary this year. The original proposal was put forward by German socialist Clara Zetkin at the first international women’s conference held in Copenhagen in 1910 and became an established event in the following year – so I guess next year is an anniversary too.

I should state here that I do not support women’s rights or Gay rights or any other such pressure group. Before you leap to your keyboards in fury let me explain further. I happen to believe that we are all equal regardless of sex, race, colour or creed. So I support equal rights for all.

I have written here before that sexual inequality by and large passed me by. My first job was in the Civil Service and my third then subsequent employment has been in the media. In both of those women were either my superiors or colleagues and I have been privileged to work with many extremely talented women over those years. The only exception was in my second job in a City of London institution where the women were in the porn mags kept in my section boss’s locker.

In the present economic crisis I have found that a woman’s lot is not a happy one even compared with the tough time being endured by many men. For instance in the two areas of Spain that attract my attention most – the Campo de Gibraltar/Cádiz and Ronda – I study closely the monthly unemployment figures. In both locations the number of women on the dole exceeds the total for men.

In Spain women also tend to have less secure employment being channelled in to temporary rather than indefinite contracts. In the latest figures from the INI of the 2,470,700 workers who are on part time contracts in the last quarter 1,917,800 were women, that’s 101,800 more than in the three months previous. In addition currently 19.07 per cent of all women in the job market are on the dole.

Nor is this acute problem being addressed by the Spanish government in its efforts to kick-start the economy. The main socialist focus is on pumping money in to the property and construction industries. However few women workers are employed there and the largest amount of female unemployed come from the hard-hit services sector which is largely ignored.

So it is perhaps apt that we should celebrate International Women’s Day at this time given their plight in the labour market. As the impetus for this day came from a socialist woman perhaps the message of their plight will fall on the open ears of the many women who are currently ministers in the socialist Spanish Government. Indeed none more so than Elena Salgado who is in charge of the country’s economy! Perhaps a time for women to start doing it for themselves!

BULLI FOR RICHARD

On Sunday I lunched with Christine and Richard in Jimena just after they’d read the news on the internet that the world famous Catalan restaurant El Bulli was to close.

I understand the story originated in the New York Times and the restaurant’s owner and famed chef Ferran Adría was quick to correct its story that it would finally close in 2014 because of economic difficulties.

Adría has since told the media that El Bulli will continue with a new format, it will be a foundation. “In 2014 we are going to serve meals, but we are going to study the format of service and the system of reservations.”

The famous restaurant in Cala Montjoi near Girona will close in January 2012 and stay shut for two years but it will not cease to exist insists Adría.

Living in Spain I am naturally proud that El Bulli and several others in Galicia are regularly amongst the top ten rated eateries in the world. However would I eat there? Probably not!

To eat at El Bulli you can’t just turn up but have to book many months in advance. Sorry but that is not to my taste. My choice of restaurant would depend on my mood at the time. I suspect that going to El Bulli is more important for many diners – like staying on the Grand Canal in Venice - than what you might eat when you are there. Fine for some, but not for me.

In contrast going to eat with Christine and Richard is more my line. Certainly you don’t have to make a booking months in advance – although perhaps I would do it for Richard’s awesome fish pie.

Now I have blogged here before about Richard and his pie. On Sunday it was served in the lower half of a Moroccan tajine duly haggled for in a souk. The beautiful colour of the plain clay contrasted wonderfully with the baked potato top of the pie. Half of the art of creating fine food is in the presentation so now this master dish has passed from being awesome to truly awesome.

Richard is a man who has spent much of his working life grasping a spanner and wrench then in his leisure hours clasping a rod or shotgun. So to find him in the kitchen with a chef’s paraphernalia is somewhat at odds with his stereotype. You might suggest that he is at last in contact with his feminine side and would get a well-deserved whack over the head with a Lancashire screwdriver for you trouble. His creative side, certainly yes.

For whilst the truly awesome fish pie might be Richard’s signature dish he can turn his hand to many other culinary delights including baking his own bread. So whilst I sincerely hoped that El Bulli does re-open its doors in 2014 I am more concerned that I am invited back to the Casa Jacaranda and the delights of Richard’s kitchen well before then.

2008 DISHY RICHARD AND HIS AWESOME FISH PIE

THE FREEDOM TO BLOG

I am free as a journalist and blogger to write my views without fear that they’ll be censored, blocked or indeed that I will be imprisoned, tortured or even killed for stating my beliefs.

My views, of course, may not be your views but it is the essence of the ethic of freedom of speech, so greatly valued by Britons, that I should have the liberty to state my beliefs even if others disagree with them.

I write my words in Spain where within my lifetime such freedoms have not always existed and many paid in blood or exile for giving voice to beliefs and ideas that were at odds with those of the Franco regime.

There are also today in the world, those on the left of politics, who believe that Cuba can do no wrong. I have written here in the past in support of the campaigns to have the US embargoes of the Caribbean Island lifted. However I am not looking so far left that I cannot see the injustice staring me in the face.

I add my voice to those of the Federación de Asociaciones de Periodistas de España (FAPE) that has called on the Cuban authorities to respect freedom of expression and human rights after the death of Orlando Zapata.

Gerardo Ducos, Amnesty International’s Caribbean researcher stated: “The tragic death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo is a terrible illustration of the despair facing prisoners of conscience who see no hope of being freed from their unfair and prolonged incarceration. A full investigation must be carried out to establish whether ill-treatment may have played a part in his death.”

Currently three political prisoners and the dissident journalist Guillermo Coco Fariñas (photo above) are on hunger strike following the news of Zapata’s death on February 24.

This is not the first experience Fariñas has had of a hunger strike. He started another in 2006 to demand free access for Cubans to the internet. He has called for a cession to “the governmental violence against our people, against the bloggers and the independent journalists.”

FAPE, an organization that represents over 14,500 journalists in 48 federated associations and 13 associations who are linked offers its solidarity to Fariñas and the rest of his Cuban colleagues who are restricted in their freedom of expression.

In its annual report Reporteros Sin Fronteras classified Cuba only after China and Eritrea for the numbers of journalists it imprisoned. Since the Primavera Negra of March 2003 19 of the 27 journalists detained there are still behind bars.

This is of concern not only to me as a journalist and blogger but also to you as a reader – who may or may not take the opportunity to express your opinions here – because my freedom to write and yours to read and comment are what are at risk in Cuba and other totalitarian regimes.

Please take action by signing the Amnesty International España petition by clicking here.

PLIGHT OF MARRACHE EMPLOYEES

Last week I wrote about the collapse of the Marrache & Co law practice in Gibraltar and the arrest of two of the Marrache brothers whilst the third could soon be subject to an arrest warrant. They are accused of misappropriating around 10million in Canadian dollars and euros, the offices have been closed and the judge in the case has asked four other legal practices in Gibraltar to take over the case load.

In my blog I wrote: “Also a rogue father, son, mother or daughter has in the past often brought down or shaken the very foundations of the family concern. Here it appears we have three suspect brothers who if proved guilty presumably colluded in the fraud. This is behaviour more akin to the mafia. In which case one has to ask the question – are there other people in Marrache’s who were involved?”

This drew the response below from a member of Marrache’s staff who obviously wishes to remain anonymous. It goes to illustrate that it is not only Marrache’s clients that are the victim’s in this calamity. The employee wrote:

“I suppose it is natural for you to speculate whether “there are other people in Marrache's who were involved”.

“Please be advised that during the two weeks that the office has been sealed off and described as a crime scene, neither the Gibraltar Police nor any other authority in Gibraltar have seen fit to interview the staff. In circumstances where neither the partners of the law firm nor the Provisional Liquidators have spoken to staff officially as to whether they are to be made redundant or not and as to whether they will be paid at the end of this month or not, the staff are in a dreadful situation and some of them face immediate financial hardship as a result of this sordid affair.

“Until the staff have been vindicated as a result of the investigation it is likely that many will be tainted by association with the Marraches and unemployable as a result. It is a pity that no start has been made to give staff a “clean bill of health” as soon as possible and therefore give them a fair chance in the employment market.

“Whilst everyone is revelling in the scandal, it is a pity that nobody seems concerned about the position of staff who may well be absolutely innocent. Airy speculation in relation to our bona fides just makes our position worse still. Those in custody will be fed and watered, but staff have to pay for the roofs over their heads and put food on the family table. For the time being it seems that this will be difficult.”

Last week Unite the Union got involved on behalf of the Marrache staff. It emerged it is in discussions with the Employment and Training Board regarding the fate of up to 50 employees. District Officer Charlie Sisarello told the Gibraltar Chronicle there were complex matters to be resolved and grey areas such as the entitlements due to self-employed workers – furthermore they had not received their January salary let alone been paid for last month.

Sisarello said: “…all the staff members of Marrache who are members of Unite attended a meeting where our lawyers and officers informed them of the current situation in respect of their employment status. At present the staff is in limbo and their situation needs to be clarified so the necessary mechanisms that allow for a claim to the Insolvency Fund can be put in place. They are technically employed still but without being able to work. On the other hand they have not been dismissed or made redundant. It is fundamental that their situation is clarified. As any group of workers, these union members have financial commitments to attend to, apart from having to pay their domestic bills and household expenses. A solution needs to be addressed urgently as this is obviously causing much concern to them. We will be doing our utmost to get a viable solution and will be working closely with our lawyers towards this objective.”

The fact that Unite is fighting for the employees living in Gibraltar is to be welcomed and the fact it has asked utility companies to hold back on demanding payments is all well and good - but those who live in Spain and Portugal have been hung out to dry!

I should stress that whilst I raised the question - were any Marrache staff involved in the corruption? - it was the financial and not the legal side of the firm that I was referring to. I have no reason to believe that the legal staff in the Gibraltar, Spain or Portugal offices behaved in other than an honest manner (I understand London was a franchise).

Having said that my column carried on the USA-based blog Dscriber attracted several comments from “Gibraltarians” which disparaged the Marrache practice and the three sons’ father. I have since read others on a UK legal website that spoke highly of the family, law firm with suggestions that the Marraches were the victim of some conspiracy. As with all such unattributed comments on the internet you pay no money and take your choice! Ultimately the truth will out but in the meantime the general Marrache staff need to be treated as victims and not culprits.