Jonathan Scott

🥇 Public Service Innovation & Excellence Awards 🏆 Congratulations to every nominee, finalist and winner 🙌🏼🙌🏼 Gibraltar is better for your work 🇬🇮💪🏼

VIEWPOINT SPECIAL: "From Past to Present"- Gibraltar's Chief Ministers reflect on the long & difficult journey towards the Treaty from post-war years to today: Fabian Picardo, Sir Peter Caruana, Sir Joe Bossano and Adolfo Canepa join @RosAstengo tonight at 9pm on @GBCTVGibraltar

Its important everyone knows what Sir Joe thinks about the Treaty facebook.com/share/p/1Ab1aN… Bossano Backs EU Treaty: he says it ticks all the right boxes. Sir Joe Bossano’s contribution in Parliament this week on the Treaty drew on his unique perspective unique in the House, having been present at Gibraltar’s entry into pthe European Communities in 1972, its exit through Brexit in 2016, and now its negotiated 'return' in 2026. His core message was that Gibraltar’s engagement with Europe has never been ideological. It has always been about national survival, economic self-sufficiency, and resisting the strategic risks created by Spain’s long-standing sovereignty claim. He reminded the House that Gibraltar’s entry in 1972 was achieved on bespoke terms because of our special circumstances, at a time when the European market for goods was heavily protected and uncompetitive. Being outside that system then brought real advantages. Those structural anomalies, he explained, have largely disappeared, and the European Union today is a very different economic environment. The implications of participating in a goods framework in 2026 are therefore not comparable to those of 1972. Sir Joe was candid about the EU’s historic failures to protect Gibraltar once Spain became a member, recalling how Spain used its position to block Gibraltar from benefiting from new EU measures, particularly in aviation. That experience reinforced his view that Brexit posed an immediate strategic danger to Gibraltar. Within minutes of a Leave result, Spain moved to exploit what it saw as an opportunity. In that context, alignment with Europe was never about affection for EU institutions. It was about removing barriers, protecting our economy, and denying Spain leverage. He addressed directly why this negotiation has taken so long. In his view, delay was not weakness. It was the result of Gibraltar’s refusal to accept outcomes that crossed fundamental red lines. From the first day to the last minute, Gibraltar said no to proposals it could not live with until counterparts understood that nothing would pass here unless it respected Gibraltar’s core interests. This agreement, he said, passes because it ticks the right boxes. Sir Joe emphasised that the Agreement preserves Gibraltar’s control over its own home. Gibraltar retains the ability to decide who lives here, a position that is exceptional given the market access now secured. He also highlighted the principle of reciprocity that has governed Gibraltar’s approach since Brexit, with neither side triggering full friction because both would suffer, a reality the Agreement now formalises into a stable framework. He cautioned that opportunity alone does not guarantee success. Gibraltar sustains a level of public provision unmatched in much of Europe, and that model depends on a productive, attractive economy. The Agreement creates the conditions for growth by allowing Gibraltar to position itself as a base for European-facing business, drawing parallels with Ireland’s long-term success. His views were clear: "And this [Treaty] passed me because it ticks the right boxes. And what this has now done is that it has put us in a unique position in the European Union because we are part of the single market but we are not members. We are the only part of the European Union that can say who lives in Gibraltar" He concluded by saying: "And I think that it is impossible in my judgment to have finished where we are with something that was better than this." Watch him here from Minute 46... youtu.be/H__xQfE1-do?si…

The draft UK–EU Agreement in respect of Gibraltar is now public. Read the full text at: 🔗 gibraltar.gov.gi 🔗 treaty.gov.gi FAQs and detailed guidance are available at 🔗 treaty.gov.gi @GibHouseLondon

Hello from Westminster! 🇬🇧 Met with the Foreign Affairs Committee & with holocaust survivor Mala Tribich MBE ❤️ Celebrated India’s 77th Republic Day 🎉 And thanks to the many Junior Political Officer applicants 🤩

Tomorrow, I will deliver my New Year's address. Today, this excellent statement from DCM Hon Dr Joseph Garcia MP is published.

We’re hiring! 🇬🇮🇬🇧 Gibraltar House in London has a vacancy for the post of Junior Political Officer. Salary £24,865-33,791 depending on experience, qualifications & skills. DM for more info, Ts & Cs, or email ukrep@gibraltar.gov.gi Applications by 13:00 09.01.26

“Hanukkah goes on and we WILL celebrate!” Powerful message by the @commonwealthjc this week. A privilege to stand with our Jewish friends in London, in Australia & across the Commonwealth 🇬🇮🇬🇧🕎

Packed schedule for UK Shadow Europe Minister @morton_wendy: Treaty & airport update w Deputy Chief Minister, lunch w Health Minister @GemmaArias, gaming meetings w Trade Minister @NigelMFeetham, business catchup w @GFSBgib & @GibChamber, coffee with @Convent_Gib… oh & a🐒🇬🇮🇬🇧

Great to speak to the UK Foreign Secretary @YvetteCooperMP & to Europe Minister @SDoughtyMP at the beautiful Lancaster House ✨🎄

Today I met Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Hon Dan Tomlinson to discuss the effect of the Budget on Gibraltar based gaming companies.

Environment Minister @cortes_john gives UK Nature Minister @MaryCreagh_ an advanced copy of Gibraltar’s forthcoming 25-Year Environmental Plan, due to be officially launched shortly. She was very complimentary!

This week Gibraltar House in London has supported Minister for Environment and Education, Prof @cortes_john. We’ve attended the UK Overseas Territories Association’s Political Council in support of Chief Minister, @FabianPicardo KC, as he has done each year for the last 14 years.

The Gibraltar Representative to the UK @JonScottGib has spent time with the Deputy Chief Minister in London. Dr Joseph Garcia was visiting to take part in the UK Contact Group of the European Committee of the Regions for maintaining dialogue between UK and EU after Brexit.

When @JonScottGib was asked to be the Gibraltar Representative to the UK, everyone was very understanding of the fact he has a young family. He will split his time between London and Gibraltar, maintaining close contact with our political leaders.

Very proud to be represented at the Remembrance Service in London today by Tyrone Duarte, Director of Gibraltar House in London and a Gibraltarian veteran of the British Armed Forces. #lestweforget

@JonScottGib says it’s a huge honour to be asked by the Chief Minister to represent Gibraltar in the UK. “Public service is in my DNA, I am ready to give it my all.” @GibraltarGov

Thank you 🎥🎤🇬🇮🥰 @GBCNewsroom @GBCTVGibraltar @RadioGibraltar 🙏🏼🙏🏼

!GOAL! Gibraltar takes the lead! Kyle Clinton scores from the penalty spot Gibraltar 1-0 Czechia