Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party

The Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP) is a social-democratic political party in Gibraltar. It is the oldest party still active in the area. The party began with the trade union movement, started by its first leader, Joe Bossano, who worked with the Transport and General Workers Union.

Since 2011, the party has been led by Fabian Picardo, who also serves as Chief Minister of Gibraltar. He has held this role since winning the 2011 general election. The GSLP works together with the Liberal Party of Gibraltar in what is called the GSLP–Liberal Alliance.

History

The Transport and General Workers Union helped make sure workers in Gibraltar had the same rights as those in the United Kingdom. Joe Bossano, who worked with the union, left a different party in 1975 and started a new group called the Gibraltar Democratic Movement. This group later became the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party.

The party won seats in elections and was in charge of the government from 1988 to 1996. In 2011, Joe Bossano retired, and Fabian Picardo took over as the new leader of the party.

Ideology and policy

The Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party wants Gibraltar to stay independent and does not want to share control with Spain. The party has close connections with the Labour Party in the United Kingdom.

The party believes Gibraltar should protect its waters and wants recognition for its full twelve-mile limit, like other British overseas territories. It also thinks Gibraltar still needs to work toward full independence and wants to keep discussing this at the United Nations.

Elections

In the 1980 election, the party won its first seat in the House.

In the 1984 election, the party won 34.2% of the vote and 7 seats.

In the 1988 election, the party won 58.2% of the vote and 8 seats to form the new government.

In the 1992 election, the party won 73.1% of the vote and 8 seats.

In the 1996 election, the party won 42.95% of the vote and 7 seats.

In the 1999 by-election, Liberal Party leader Dr. Joseph Garcia (backed by the GSLP) won 51.46% of the vote and the seat. He was the first joint GSLP/Liberal candidate to contest an election.

In the 2000 election, the party won (in alliance with the Liberals) 25.62% of the vote and 5 seats.

In the 2003 election, the party won (in Alliance with the Liberals) 25.08% of the vote and 5 seats.

In the 2007 election to the newly named Gibraltar Parliament, the party won (in Alliance with the Liberals) 31.84% of the vote and 4 seats.

In the 2011 election, the party won (in Alliance with the Liberals) 34.23% of the vote and 7 seats and, with the 3 seats won by the Liberal Party, formed the new Government of Gibraltar.

In the 2013 by-election, the GSLP candidate Albert Isola won 49.84% of the vote to fill in the vacant seat.

In the 2015 election, the party won (in Alliance with the Liberals) 47.83% of the vote and 7 seats.

The GSLP was represented in the European Parliament by Glyn Ford MEP of the PES Group during the 6th European Parliament term, however Ford later lost his seat in the 2009 European elections.

The GSLP supported and endorsed the UK Labour Party during elections to the European Parliament.

Election results

Parliament of Gibraltar

By-elections

European Parliament

Gibraltar was part of the South West England constituency in the European Parliament. During this time, its main parties worked together with major parties from the UK. From 2004 until Brexit, the GSLP joined forces with Labour.

Party leaders

Current GSLP MPs

Here are the current members of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party who are in the government:

• Joe Bossano (since 1980)
• Fabian Picardo (since 2003)
• John Cortes (since 2011)
• Gemma Arias-Vasquez (since 2023)
• Nigel Feetham (since 2023)
• Patricia Orfila (since 2023)
• Christian Santos (since 2023)