The GSLP is immensely proud to offer our new slate of candidates for the 2023 elections. We are able to provide a unique blend to the team by retaining the steadfast leadership, experience and direction we have seen to date whilst adding new faces and perspectives to the team which will undoubtably add to the drive and enthusiasm we have to serve you - the people of Gibraltar.
Fabian Picardo is a father of two handsome young boys, Sebastian and Oliver and a beautiful little girl, Valentina. He has served you as Chief Minister of Gibraltar since 9 December 2011. His responsibilities have included the economy and finance, the civil service, hm customs and industrial relations & the drugs service. He has represented Gibraltar around the world including at the United Nations in New York and the EU in Brussels and he has led the Gibraltar Brexit negotiating team.
He is a King’s Counsel by profession who qualified from oxford university and is called to the bar in Gibraltar and the BVI. He was recently made a bencher of the middle temple. He is the leader of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party.
Fabian has been a GSLP Member of Parliament since 2003 and became party leader of the GSLP in early 2011. Shortly afterwards in December of 2011 he led the GSLP/Liberal alliance into Government.
Since becoming Chief Minister, it is unquestionable that Gibraltar has seen unprecedented levels of support from the UK and he has frequently met, with the UK’s Prime Ministers since 2011 to ensure that Gibraltar’s interests are always protected.
Since becoming Chief Minister, it is unquestionable that Gibraltar has seen unprecedented levels of support from the UK and he has frequently met, with the UK’s Prime Ministers since 2011 to ensure that Gibraltar’s interests are always protected.
Joseph Garcia is the Leader of the Liberal Party since 1992 and Deputy Chief Minister of Gibraltar since 2011. He is a historian and the author of a doctoral thesis on the modern political and constitutional development of Gibraltar. This was later published as the book “Gibraltar: The Making of a People”. Joseph has been in active politics for 32 years and served as a Member of Parliament for 24 of them. This made him the second longest serving Member in Parliament. He was a Member of the Select Committee that drew up the Constitution and formed a part of the Gibraltar team in the subsequent negotiations with the United Kingdom. Joseph has been heavily involved in all aspects of the Brexit negotiations, including those on the future relationship. He has led on contingency planning in order to keep Gibraltar as safe as possible in the event of no treaty. Joseph has had responsibility for coordinating the external action of Gibraltar in London, Brussels, New York and Washington. In 2021 he was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for his services by the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He is married to Penny and has a son and daughter aged 19 and 16.
Joe Bossano has served you as Minister for Economic Development with responsibility for the savings bank as well as Minister for Efficiencies. He is an economist and the father of Community Care trust. He holds degrees from the universities of London, Birmingham, Northumbria and the Open University. He was first elected to the then House of Assembly in 1972 with the Integration With Britain Party. He has served as Chief Minister from 1988 to 1996 and as Leader of the Opposition from 1984 to 1988 and from 1996 to April 2011. Joe was Branch Officer of the TGWU until he became Chief Minister and his roots in the trade union movement go back to when he first left Gibraltar in the merchant navy. Joe is also fluent in Italian. He is married to Rose; they are grandparents and between them they have 7 children.
John Cortes has served you as a Minister since 9 December 2011. Initially as Minister for Health and Environment and additionally as Minister for Energy, Climate Change, Utilities and Elderly Residential Services since December 2013. In 2016 he left Health and became minister for Education, Heritage and Public health. After the 2019 General Election he was additionally given responsibility for Culture.
John qualified in ecology in London University and gained his doctorate at Oxford. As a student he founded the Gibraltar Union of Students. He was Director of the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens for 20 years from 1991 and general secretary of GONHS between 1976 and 2011. John was also the general manager of the old St Bernard’s hospital between 1988 - 1991 and was a member of the board of the GHA between 1992 and 2007. He has regularly represented Gibraltar internationally and has held posts in several international organisations in the UK and in Spain. He has led research projects in Gibraltar and Morocco. A magistrate for 17 years, he was also active in youth work in his earlier years. John is well experienced in the Performing Arts and has taken leading singing and acting as well as dancing roles.
His achievements in Government include Ocean Views Mental Health Facility, the Chemotherapy and Day Surgery Units at St Bernard’s Hospital, Commonwealth Park, and eight new schools, as well new Mental Health, Education and Environmental legislation and the promotion of the Arts and Gibraltarian Literature in Gibraltar and abroad. He is married to Valerie and they have two children, Zoe and Mark, and two grandchildren, Ryan and Lea.
Gemma Arias-Vasquez has been actively involved in local politics for many years and is passionate about making a difference. She led the Stronger In Campaign in 2016, achieving a high turnout with a result of 96% of Gibraltar voting to stay in the EU. For 6 years before that, she was Chairwoman of the GFSB, sitting on numerous international committees and local boards. Through the GFSB Gemma organised the much-loved TV programme Rock Chef. On leaving the GFSB, Gemma joined the GSLP and has been a member of the executive since 2017. Gemma has worked tirelessly for the party since. Gemma is a graduate of Oriel College, Oxford University, and a Partner at Hassans.
Gemma qualified in Slaughter and May - a law firm in the City of London. But most importantly, Gemma and her husband Alfredo are the parents of two beautiful boys - Louis and Andrew.
Nigel has been a leading figure in the Gibraltar financial sector over many years. The sector (including gaming) accounts for a significant part of Gibraltar’s GDP, thousands of jobs, and many tens of millions of pounds of Government revenues. Nigel has also dedicated part of his career to the advancement of knowledge and education and has been a Visiting Professor in a U.K. University. He has authored several law books, was appointed a QC (now KC) and his work has been recognised through numerous prestigious international awards. Nigel has been heavily involved in the restructure of the financial sector following the huge challenges created by Brexit and since last year has been advising the Government of Gibraltar at no expense to the taxpayer on a number of policy initiatives that have already delivered tangible results.
Over the years Nigel has helped, professionally, to set up many businesses in Gibraltar. These have created hundreds of local jobs and some of the businesses he helped to set up are today among the largest contributors to the Gibraltar economy. Nigel is passionate about continuing to create educational, training and employment opportunities in the local financial sector, especially for our young people, and fostering a culture of collaboration among key stakeholders.
Christian read a BA(Hons) in Contemporary Arts at Nottingham Trent University, specialising in Music and Performance. Later training at the prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, he obtained a PG Dip in Acting and Musical Theatre in 1999. His performance experience is varied and notable, with a highlight being working for Disney Entertainment around the world between 2000 and 2007.
On returning to Gibraltar in 2007, Christian founded Santos Productions which fast became one of Gibraltar’s leading production companies and later expanded into Santos Productions Academy which boasts of an award-winning choir being named Double European Champions in Pop and Gospel categories at the European Choir Games in Austria in 2013.
Christian Founded the Gibraltar Academy of Music and Performing Arts in 2015 which has grown from strength to strength with over 450 students, offering opportunities for young people to excel within the arts. GAMPA also works together with the department of education to offer two vocational courses in Music Performance and Acting equivalent to A Levels
Christian was awarded the Gibraltar Medallion of Distinction for his services to popular culture. In 2021 he took the office as Mayor of Gibraltar and used his platform to unite and celebrate our community with the “We are one” campaign making himself and City Hall accessible to all. He proudly represented the community in a civic capacity championing diversity, inclusivity, and above all, the uniqueness of the Gibraltarian identity.
Pat Orfila is a mother to Cathy, a retired teacher, and a dedicated public servant. In 2009 she was encouraged by her mother (and best friend) to take the plunge into political activism and joined the GSLP. She was elected to the executive in 2011. Having found her political home, she committed to public service, and has been helping others since.
Pat and her two brothers were raised by her mother. When Pat was 11 and her brothers were 9 and 2, her father abandoned the family. Pat quickly learned about the value of honest hard work in the face of adversity from her mother’s commitment and strength, raising the family on her own. It is this experience that instilled in Pat the values she lives her life by today.
Pat pursued her education, becoming a schoolteacher, cherishing the profession that enabled her to make a difference in her students’ lives. She advanced to Senior Teacher, where she introduced initiatives like the Careers Fair, PSHE education, and Bullying Awareness.
Her heart breaks that her mother cannot be here to proudly watch her take this step but is excited and determined to do her proud by caring for her constituents with her no-nonsense approach to getting the job done of helping people who need it.
Leslie Bruzon is an employee of the Gibraltar Ambulance Service where he works as an Emergency Medical Technician. He has served as a convenor for Unite the Union and volunteers with a local charity which deals with mental health and well-being issues. He was one of the founding members of AKIN, Childline Gibraltar and is a trustee of Women In Need.
Leslie joined the Liberal Party executive 20 years ago (2003) and was election agent in 2011 and 2015.
Before working for the Gibraltar Health Authority, Leslie spent 20 years working for the family business (Accountancy) as well as covering other areas of business and a few years at the port working with the Peñalver family. Some people may remember him as a young boy, running around City Mill Lane, where his mother and aunts had two shops (Sandy). Leslie is a keen sportsperson with an interest in running, cycling, and swimming, amongst other things. Leslie has completed a number of events for charity, such as the London to Brighton cycle ride, The Great North Run and has completed the London Marathon twice and is due to participate again in 2024. Leslie is married and has two children, aged 12 and 14, all of whom are very excited with him standing as a candidate in the 2023 elections.