There are elections in the works down here in Gibraltar (ok, technically I live in Spain but I do spend a lot of time - too much time - in Gibraltar).
Gibraltar is a country of about 30,000 people. i.e. a small town. They also have 5 newspapers and 5 political parties. When I say newspapers, I mean there is one newspaper and 4 guys with printers at home churning out old-style blogs on paper!
The election is between parties so narrow in scope and in name it would be laughable, if it were not taken so seriously. You have the GSLP/Liberal Alliance and the GSD about 1% apart in the polls. It is a place full of personal attacks and family feuds. A recent tactic is sending SMSs around smearing candidates. Newflash - SMS's are traceable! It is not the case of who is starting it, it is the fact that people are listening.
What Gibraltar needs is strong, bi-partisan, leadership that will sort out the huge social issues bogging this place down. Ok, keep your sovereignty, but the relationship with Spain has little to do with the fact that the government won't support schooling for all, the local schools and institutions that deal with the disadvantaged and handicapped, do something about sky-rocketing teen pregnancy, drug use and alcoholism.
The border is not the problem!
(For those of you that don't know, Gibraltar has ongoing border-issues with Spain that keep a ridiculous customs post open and 30 - 40 minute queues to get in or out of Gib going).
Any Gibraltarian who can lives at least on the weekend in Spain. So stop going on about it!
As a filmmaker I should have the gumption to make a film about politics here. Kazuhiro Soda did it with the wonderful Campaign!. It could happen here, but then again the election is in 2 days!
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