His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar this evening hosted its annual reception at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, welcoming Labour MPs, delegates, and friends of Gibraltar.

Although the Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP, was unable to attend due to flight cancellation, his remarks were delivered on his behalf by Tyrone Duarte of Gibraltar House London. He was followed by the Minister for Europe, Stephen Doughty MP, a longstanding friend of Gibraltar, who addressed the reception.

In his speech, the Chief Minister reaffirmed the strength of Gibraltar’s relationship with the Labour Party and with the United Kingdom, highlighting shared values of resilience, solidarity, and trust. He paid tribute to the leadership of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer KC, former Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty in securing the UK–EU agreement on Gibraltar, which now moves towards being finalised as a binding treaty.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the treaty will provide certainty for Gibraltar’s future by protecting sovereignty, supporting economic growth, and improving the lives of people on both sides of the border. Speaking through his prepared remarks, he said: “This treaty will deliver what matters most. It will give us Safety on Sovereignty, protecting our right to decide our own future. It will be Good for Business, securing our service industry and attracting new investment. And it will Deliver for the People, ensuring Gibraltarians and our neighbours can live, work, and thrive with confidence about the future.”

The Chief Minister concluded by expressing his confidence in Gibraltar’s partnership with the Labour Government, noting that with the support of friends such as Stephen Doughty and Yvette Cooper, Gibraltar’s best days lie ahead.