The Liberal Party of Gibraltar (Libs or LPG) is a liberal[1][2] political party in Gibraltar. It was founded in 1991[3] as the Gibraltar National Party[3] and is led by Dr. Joseph Garcia. The LPG forms the GSLP–Liberal Alliance in partnership with the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party.
Liberal Party of Gibraltar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Joseph Garcia |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Preceded by | National Party of Gibraltar |
| Headquarters | 95 Irish Town, Gibraltar |
| Youth wing | Gibraltar Liberal Youth |
| Ideology | Liberalism Social liberalism Pro-Europeanism Gibraltar self-determination |
| Political position | Centre to centre-left |
| National affiliation | GSLP–Liberal Alliance |
| European affiliation | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe |
| International affiliation | Liberal International |
| British affiliation | Liberal Democrats |
| Colours | Red and white |
| Gibraltar Parliament | 2 / 17 |
| Website | |
| www | |
Policy
editIn line with most liberal parties, the party describes their political philosophy as being based on notions of people deciding their own future, and are committed to Gibraltarian self-determination regarding constitutional arrangements.[4]
The party believes in "freedom, responsibility, tolerance, social justice and equality of opportunity: these are the central values of liberalism, and they remain the principles on which an open society must be built. These principles require a careful balance of strong civil societies, democratic government, free markets, and international cooperation".[5]
The party makes its stance on economic policy very clear, stating that "open societies need open markets. A liberal, open and tolerant society requires a market economy. Political freedom and economic freedom belong together".[6]
Elections
editIn the 1992 election to the Gibraltar House of Assembly, the party (as the GNP) won 4.7%% of the popular vote and no seats.[7]
In the 1996 election the GNP won 4.68% of the popular vote and no seats.[8]
In the 1999 by-election, following the death of GSLP Opposition MP Robert Mor, Liberal Party leader Dr. Joseph Garcia won 51.46% of the popular vote and the seat. He was the first joint GSLP/Liberal candidate to contest an election.[9]
In the 2000 election the party won (in alliance with the GSLP) 14.95% of the popular vote and 2 seats.[10]
In the 2003 election the party won (in alliance with the GSLP) 14.61% of the popular vote and 2 seats.[11]
In the 2007 election to the newly named (and re-organized) Gibraltar Parliament, the party won (in alliance with the GSLP) 13.65% of the popular vote and 3 seats.[12]
In the 2011 election, the party won (in alliance with the GSLP) 14.64% of the popular vote and 3 seats forming the new Government of Gibraltar.[13]
In the 2013 by-election, following the death of Housing Minister Charles Bruzon (GSLP), the Liberal Party backed the GSLP candidate Albert Isola, who has won 49.84% of the popular vote to fill in the vacant seat.[14]
In the 2015 election, the party won (in alliance with the GSLP) 20.61% of the popular vote and 3 seats.[15]
Election results
editParliament of Gibraltar
edit| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 2,158 | 4.7 | 0 / 15
|
Extra-parliamentary | |
| 1996 | 5,932 | 4.68 | 0 / 15
|
|
Extra-parliamentary |
| 2000 | 17,286 | 14.95 | 2 / 15
|
 1
|
Opposition |
| 2003 | 16,538 | 14.61 | 2 / 15
|
|
Opposition |
| 2007 | 21,120 | 13.65 | 3 / 17
|
1
|
Opposition |
| 2011 | 25,590 | 14.64 | 3 / 17
|
|
Coalition |
| 2015 | 30,399 | 20.61 | 3 / 17
|
|
Coalition |
| 2019 | 24,546 | 15.50 | 3 / 17
|
|
Coalition |
| 2023 | 26,241 | 14.60 | 2 / 17
|
 1
|
Coalition |
By-elections
edit| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999[9] | 4,395 | 51.47 | 1 / 1
|
1
|
European Parliament
editGibraltar was part of the South West England constituency in the European parliament and its major parties formed joint ticket alliances with the major UK parties. From 2004 until Brexit, the Liberal Party of Gibraltar was in an alliance with the Liberal Democrats.
| Election | Party | SW England | Gibraltar | Seats | +/– | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % | |||||
| 2004 | Liberal Democrats | 265,619 | 18.3 | 905 | 7.6 | 1 / 7
|
| |
| 2009 | Liberal Democrats | 266,253 | 17.2 | 1,269 | 18.2 | 1 / 7
|
| |
| 2014 | Liberal Democrats | 160,376 | 10.7 | 4,822 | 67.2 | 0 / 6
|
1
| |
| 2019 | Liberal Democrats | 385,095 | 23.2 | 7,270 | 77.4 | 2 / 6
|
2
| |
Affiliations
editThe Liberal Party of Gibraltar is a member of the Liberal International[16] and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe,[17] having joined the latter in November 2014.[18] It is also a 'Sister Party' of the United Kingdom Liberal Democrats and contested the South-West England constituency at European Parliamentary elections on a joint ticket with them taking place six on the party list.[19][20]
Current LPG MPs
edit- Joseph Garcia (since 1999)
- Leslie Bruzon (since 2023)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Nordsieck, Wolfram (2019). "Gibraltar/UK". Parties and Elections in Europe. Archived from the original on 2018-06-26. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
- ^ Williams, Wendy (2011-10-24). "Gibraltar election fever". Olive Press News Spain. Archived from the original on 2017-10-30. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
- ^ a b Kellermann, Anja (2001). A New New English: language, politics, and identity in Gibraltar. p. 34. ISBN 9783831123681.
- ^ "Aims and Objectives". LPG. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
- ^ "Aims and Objectives of the Liberal Party". LPG. Archived from the original on 2016-11-05. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
- ^ "Aims and Objectives of the Liberal Party". LPG. Archived from the original on 2016-11-05. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
- ^ "General election results 16 January 1992" (PDF). The Gibraltar Parliament. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-22. Retrieved 2013-07-29.
- ^ "General election results 16 May 1996" (PDF). The Gibraltar Parliament. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-22. Retrieved 2013-07-29.
- ^ a b "By-Election Results - 4 February 1999" (PDF). The Gibraltar Parliament. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ "General election results 10 February 2000" (PDF). The Gibraltar Parliament. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-22. Retrieved 2013-07-29.
- ^ "General election results 27 November 2003" (PDF). The Gibraltar Parliament. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-04-16. Retrieved 2013-07-29.
- ^ "General election results 11 October 2007" (PDF). The Gibraltar Parliament. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-07-02. Retrieved 2013-07-29.
- ^ "General election results 8 December 2011" (PDF). The Gibraltar Parliament. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2013-07-29.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-07-02. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-03-22. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Full members of the Liberal International Archived 2011-11-05 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "ALDE Party members". Aldeparty.eu. Archived from the original on 2012-11-30. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
- ^ "GSLP-Liberals win general election in Gibraltar". Aldeparty.eu. 2015-11-27. Retrieved 2017-03-29.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Sister Parties". Liberal Democrats. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ^ "European selection results – complete". Houston Chronicle. 1 December 2012. Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2014.