Progressive Democratic Party (Gibraltar)
Encyclopedia
The Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) is a political party
from Gibraltar
established in June 2006 by Gibraltarian
lawyer
and former Gibraltar Social Democrat
Deputy Chief Minister
, Keith Azopardi
.
Notable founding members include Nick Cruz, Marie-Lou Guerrero, former Superintendent Leo Olivero, Moira Walsh, Gigi Sene, Rosemary Peach and barrister Elliott Phillips. The party has been described by many, notably by the New Gibraltar Democracy
, as a splinter group of the ruling Gibraltar Social Democrats. This is because two of its leading members; Azopardi and Cruz, were both leading figures in the GSD who resigned due to disillusionment with the GSD party.
Marie-Lou Guerrero and Leo Olivero left the party in November 2006 in opposition to the party's "yes" stance on the referendum
on Gibraltar's new constitution
. The Party decided to support the constitution despite reservations "because it represented a massive leap forward from the 1969 constitution and because it put us in a much better position to then take the next steps."
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
from Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
established in June 2006 by 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 :...
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...
and former Gibraltar Social Democrat
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:...
Deputy Chief Minister
Chief Minister of Gibraltar
The Chief Minister of Gibraltar is the leader of the largest party elected to the Gibraltar Parliament, and is formally appointed by the Governor of Gibraltar, representative of the British Crown.-List of Chief Ministers:...
, Keith Azopardi
Keith Azopardi
Keith Azopardi is a Gibraltarian lawyer and politician, and leader of the Progressive Democratic Party He was born in Gibraltar on 6 June 1967 and was called to the Bars of England, Wales and Gibraltar in 1990...
.
Notable founding members include Nick Cruz, Marie-Lou Guerrero, former Superintendent Leo Olivero, Moira Walsh, Gigi Sene, Rosemary Peach and barrister Elliott Phillips. The party has been described by many, notably by the New Gibraltar Democracy
New Gibraltar Democracy
New Gibraltar Democracy is a political party from Gibraltar founded in 2005 by Gibraltarian barrister Charles Gomez.-Overview:New Gibraltar Democracy is a Christian democratic party...
, as a splinter group of the ruling Gibraltar Social Democrats. This is because two of its leading members; Azopardi and Cruz, were both leading figures in the GSD who resigned due to disillusionment with the GSD party.
Marie-Lou Guerrero and Leo Olivero left the party in November 2006 in opposition to the party's "yes" stance on the referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
on Gibraltar's 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...
. The Party decided to support the constitution despite reservations "because it represented a massive leap forward from the 1969 constitution and because it put us in a much better position to then take the next steps."
Policy
The Progressive Democratic Party declares it is founded on several basic pillars;- A fundamental belief and respect for democracy, social justice and equality;
- Adherence to the inalienable and unqualified right to self-determination of the people of Gibraltar;
- The promotion of liberty, social and economic responsibility;
- The enhancement of individual and collective freedoms;
- A belief in fair, open and continually accountable government;
- The desire to foster sustainable development, public participation and the enhancement of the quality of life of the people of Gibraltar