Gibraltar Reception at the Labour Party Conference - 608/2024

Gibraltar's representation at the Labour Party Conference continued this evening with the Gibraltar Reception hosted by the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and featuring a keynote speech by the UK Minister for Europe and the Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty MP.

Gibraltar is also represented at the Labour Party Conference by the Minister for Economic Development Sir Joe Bossano and the Minister for Health, Care and Business Gemma Arias-Vasquez. Both have been attending meetings and events throughout the day, including the International Business Breakfast, and met with the UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey MP at the Gibraltar Exhibition stand.

The Gibraltar Exhibition stand is staffed by representatives from Gibraltar House London, who put across the Gibraltar position to conference delegates including the UK Attorney General Sarah Sackman, who reaffirmed her longstanding support and affection for Gibraltar and its people.

This evening's Gibraltar Reception was attended by 150 conference delegates, including a number of invited MPs, officials and high-profile members of the private sector.

Addressing the Gibraltar Reception, Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty reflected on his recent National Day visit to Gibraltar and last week's continued negotiations in Brussels. Mr Doughty emphasised the importance of the historic UK-Gibraltar relationship on issues from Education to Defence, and reaffirmed the Labour Government's lasting commitment to work in solidarity with the Government and people of Gibraltar across all areas of mutual interest.

The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP, said: 'The Labour Party Conference is an important opportunity to meet with Ministers and officials and make progress in all the areas in which the Government of Gibraltar needs to work together with the UK Government to move forward on. Prior to the Gibraltar Reception, I had the opportunity to speak to Prime Minister Keir Starmer at a separate event and reiterate our shared commitment to work together even more closely, not least in our continued efforts to conclude an agreement with the EU as soon as possible.'