MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Michael Howard visits Gibraltar
Britain's Opposition Leader Michael Howard paid a visit to Gibraltar this Monday on a whirlwind tour to promote the Conservative Party vote for the European Elections.
Mr Howard, who has previously visited Gibraltar a number of times, was met at the airport by Chief Minister Peter Caruana before going on to the Government offices for talks.
As has now become the custom for visiting politicians he then walked the length of Main Street talking to people and shaking hands stopping at the Piazza square to briefly address the crowd assembled there.
He said that his party would continue to support the right of the people of Gibraltar to decide what the future status of Gibraltar would be. They would not enter into any agreement without the full consent of the people of Gibraltar, and unlike the current government would not engage in any secret deals. The conservatives would stand up for the people of Gibraltar in the same way they stand up for Britain in Europe.
Mr Howard's slogan for the campaign is "Standing up for Gibraltar".
Meanwhile 10,000 copies of a letter from Michael Howard, written in consultation with Gibraltar Labour Leader Daniel Feetham, have been distributed to households in Gibraltar. Mr Feetham says his support is regardless of ideology, because of their positive commitment to the Rock and its people.
It said: "The Conservatives are fighting to keep Gibraltar British - Tony Blair and Labour are conspiring to sell Gibraltar out. The Conservative manifesto guarantees Gibraltar's British sovereignty"
This is the first time that Gibraltar, despite being part of the EU since 1973, votes in elections for the European Parliament, following the result of a case taken to the ECHR by Gibraltarian Denise Matthews.
Due to the small turnout in these elections in the United Kingdom, although Gibraltar has only a small number of votes, these could be crucial to who is elected in the South West region which for election purposes Gibraltar forms part. Consequently all parties are taking a keen interest in attracting support.
Mr Howard then went on to open the offices of the Conservatives abroad which has recently been formed to support the party in its European election campaign.
Jim Watt, Gibraltar.
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