New government

Thanks Blulagoon  - but I think part of the problem for the new government is the debt they have inherited, particularly the cost of the new airport.  My question was totally open - for once (!) no political motivation. Whoever had won the election I would probably have asked the same question. Wish lists are easy. Funding them isn't.

Sorry BL. I should have added that I doubt CAT 2 status or High Net Worth will disappear. Unlikely that a new govt will make much difference to you or any other investor as Gib always needs the Cat 2s.

blulagoon wrote:

In her excellent blog, Roughseasinthemed has questioned how the new Government will fund some of their proposals.

Probably the same way they funded their last term in office, by encouraging smuggling

roughseasinthemed wrote:

Unlikely that a new govt will make much difference to you or any other investor as Gib always needs the Cat 2s

Unlike the average UK worker who they banned from applying for work here when they were last in power

roughseasinthemed wrote:

Thanks Blulagoon  - but I think part of the problem for the new government is the debt they have inherited, particularly the cost of the new airport.  My question was totally open - for once (!) no political motivation. Whoever had won the election I would probably have asked the same question. Wish lists are easy. Funding them isn't.

Thanks for this. Clearly, many people who have lived in the UK these past many years are a bit nervous of the word socialism.

I have now read the manifestos of both of the parties, not for what they say but what they don't say. Neither has accused the other of planning to raise tax which is reassuring.

Keep writing the blog. Particularly liked the recipe for Pattatas Bragas.

Blu.

GrumpyOldMan wrote:

blulagoon wrote:

In her excellent blog, Roughseasinthemed has questioned how the new Government will fund some of their proposals.

Probably the same way they funded their last term in office, by encouraging smuggling

I think there is a difference between the government actually being funded directly by smuggling, encouraging it, and turning a blind eye to it.

It's the individuals who smuggle, whether more than their allowance every day, or big time on boats across the water that are culpable, not the government (whichever government).

GrumpyOldMan wrote:

roughseasinthemed wrote:

Unlikely that a new govt will make much difference to you or any other investor as Gib always needs the Cat 2s

Unlike the average UK worker who they banned from applying for work here when they were last in power

Not sure what is meant by that.  Let me give an example of the current scenario.

As a British citizen you can not walk into the job centre and register for employment. Or as any other European citizen.  As a native gibraltarian you can.

Now, to be able to register at the job centre you need to have a Gibraltar residence card.  To get one of those, you need proof of Gib ID, and proof of employment.  Plus a photo and a fiver.  You can find a job on the street if you are lucky. You can set up your own business.  British people are in no better or worse position than any other non native-born Gibraltarian.

As far as we have heard, because we weren't here at the time, the last GSLP govt favoured Gibraltarians - and then British after that because it was a pro UK govt, but not cross border workers.  And to me, when I see people coming across the border and taking money out of Gib to spend in Spain and there are people who live here out of work, I don't have a problem with that sort of policy.

blulagoon wrote:

roughseasinthemed wrote:

Thanks Blulagoon  - but I think part of the problem for the new government is the debt they have inherited, particularly the cost of the new airport.  My question was totally open - for once (!) no political motivation. Whoever had won the election I would probably have asked the same question. Wish lists are easy. Funding them isn't.

Thanks for this. Clearly, many people who have lived in the UK these past many years are a bit nervous of the word socialism.

Tbh, I've seen so many Uk govts that they all blur into one.  But as I was still in the Uk when the Blair govt was elected, I remember a feeling of excitement at potential change.  Didn't last long!!  Probably because the word socialism and that govt didn't have much in common.  Rather like the old quote of 'I'd vote Labour but I'm a socialist.'

blulagoon wrote:

I have now read the manifestos of both of the parties, not for what they say but what they don't say. Neither has accused the other of planning to raise tax which is reassuring.

Three parties, don't forget !!  And in fact, the only one delivered to my flat was PDP's manifesto which was pretty reasonable, and again no info about how to fund or what would be cut etc etc.  I've looked at GSLP/Lib and GSD on line but not read thoroughly. 

Taxation of £20K on salaries of millions is hardly onerous. Taxation of 17% and 30% on people who earn £10K or £30K is. 

blulagoon wrote:

Keep writing the blog. Particularly liked the recipe for Pattatas Bragas.

Blu.

Or patatas bravas? Hopefully not bragas ..........  Thanks for your comments about the blog/s.  Am sticking with the roughseas wordpress one now.

roughseasinthemed wrote:

Now, to be able to register at the job centre you need to have a Gibraltar residence card.  To get one of those, you need proof of Gib ID, and proof of employment.  Plus a photo and a fiver.  You can find a job on the street if you are lucky. You can set up your own business.  British people are in no better or worse position than any other non native-born Gibraltarian.

That may be the situation now inherited from the GSD, but when the GSLP were last in power they banned UK citizens from seeking work in Gibraltar. Also UK citizens who were working in Gib and became unemployed were not allowed to look for another job.
Under EU legisation they were not able to apply this to citizens of other EU countries.

Joe Bossano has already said he will tighten up the employment rules and stop vacancies being filled before they are registered with the ETB.

roughseasinthemed wrote:

As far as we have heard, because we weren't here at the time, the last GSLP govt favoured Gibraltarians - and then British after that because it was a pro UK govt,

Then you have heard wrongly.