Daniel Feetham
Encyclopedia
The Hon. Daniel Anthony Feetham MP
(born 26 May 1967) is a Gibraltarian
politician
and lawyer
.
, the party his father had helped to found in 1979 and where the latter had served as a member of the legislature from 1984-1996 under the leadership of Joe Bossano
. He resigned from the GSLP in 2001 over the refusal by Mr. Bossano to step down as Leader if he lost his third election in a row. He formed the Gibraltar Labour Party
which contested the 2003 General Election, where Mr. Feetham obtained the largest number of votes for a leader of a third party since 1984 and his party the largest share of the vote by a third party since 1988 but no seats. The Gibraltar Labour Party has since merged with the Gibraltar Social Democrats
.
He obtained a History degree from the University of Reading
and a Law degree from the University of Manchester
before returning to Gibraltar to practise law. He was a partner of Hassans
, the most important Gibraltar international law firm. He was one of the pioneers of the now very successful hedge fund
industry in Gibraltar and Chairman of the Working Group on reform of funds legislation which led to the introduction of the Experienced Investor Fund regime in 2005. He was a member of the Gibraltar delegation that negotiated a new Constitution
with the UK during 2004-2006 and co-ordinated the yes vote campaign in the referendum on the new Constitution in 2006. The new Constitution was adopted in Gibraltar in 2007.
He was elected to parliament as a GSD member in the 2007 elections and currently serves as Minister of Justice. He is widely perceived to be a candidate for the leadership of the GSD when the incumbent Peter Caruana
retires.
On 2 November 2010, Daniel Feetham was stabbed in the back while out walking in Library Street with his children. Police arrested the attacker while the Minister has undergone emergency surgery in St. Bernard's Hospital. Despite the serious nature of the attack the Minister is said to be stable and out of danger.
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(born 26 May 1967) is a Gibraltarian
Gibraltarian people
The Gibraltarians are a cultural group native to Gibraltar, a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance to the Mediterranean sea.- Origins :...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
.
Political career
He began as a member of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour PartyGibraltar Socialist Labour Party
The Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party is the oldest surviving active political party in Gibraltar. Its grass roots are deep in the Trade Union Movement, as its founder and former leader Joe Bossano was the District Officer of the Transport and General Workers Union...
, the party his father had helped to found in 1979 and where the latter had served as a member of the legislature from 1984-1996 under the leadership of Joe Bossano
Joe Bossano
Joseph "Joe" John Bossano is a Gibraltarian politician, and the former leader of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party. He was Chief Minister of Gibraltar from 25 March 1988 to 17 May 1996. He served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Gibraltar Parliament from its founding in 1978 until April...
. He resigned from the GSLP in 2001 over the refusal by Mr. Bossano to step down as Leader if he lost his third election in a row. He formed the Gibraltar Labour Party
Gibraltar Labour Party
The Gibraltar Labour Party was a political party in Gibraltar. They described themselves as a progressive socialist organisation and stated that their formation was prompted by the need for a strong opposition to the government...
which contested the 2003 General Election, where Mr. Feetham obtained the largest number of votes for a leader of a third party since 1984 and his party the largest share of the vote by a third party since 1988 but no seats. The Gibraltar Labour Party has since merged with the Gibraltar Social Democrats
Gibraltar Social Democrats
The Gibraltar Social Democrats, abbreviated to GSD, is a centre-right political party in Gibraltar.Their current leader is Peter Caruana, the Chief Minister of Gibraltar. The GSD has been the governing party in Gibraltar since 1996.-History:...
.
He obtained a History degree from the University of Reading
University of Reading
The University of Reading is a university in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The University was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is based on several campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.The University has a long tradition...
and a Law degree from the University of Manchester
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
before returning to Gibraltar to practise law. He was a partner of Hassans
Hassans
Hassans International Law Firm is the largest law firm in Gibraltar. It has approximately 74 lawyers and was established in 1939 by Joshua Hassan, just returned to Gibraltar, and later the first Chief Minister of Gibraltar.-Practice:...
, the most important Gibraltar international law firm. He was one of the pioneers of the now very successful hedge fund
Hedge fund
A hedge fund is a private pool of capital actively managed by an investment adviser. Hedge funds are only open for investment to a limited number of accredited or qualified investors who meet criteria set by regulators. These investors can be institutions, such as pension funds, university...
industry in Gibraltar and Chairman of the Working Group on reform of funds legislation which led to the introduction of the Experienced Investor Fund regime in 2005. He was a member of the Gibraltar delegation that negotiated a new Constitution
Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006
The Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006 was taken to a referendum in Gibraltar on 30 November 2006. A coalition of groups opposing the proposal held that a majority of 60% should be required to give effect to a new Constitution, quoting other instances...
with the UK during 2004-2006 and co-ordinated the yes vote campaign in the referendum on the new Constitution in 2006. The new Constitution was adopted in Gibraltar in 2007.
He was elected to parliament as a GSD member in the 2007 elections and currently serves as Minister of Justice. He is widely perceived to be a candidate for the leadership of the GSD when the incumbent Peter Caruana
Peter Caruana
Peter Richard Caruana, QC is a Gibraltarian politician, and has been Chief Minister of Gibraltar since 1996, when his party, the Gibraltar Social Democrats , first came to power. His party was re-elected to office in 2000, 2003 and 2007...
retires.
On 2 November 2010, Daniel Feetham was stabbed in the back while out walking in Library Street with his children. Police arrested the attacker while the Minister has undergone emergency surgery in St. Bernard's Hospital. Despite the serious nature of the attack the Minister is said to be stable and out of danger.