GSD adds two new women to executive, including environment and education expert Prof Daniella Tilbury

Two women co-opted onto the GSD executive “form part of the strengthening and the regeneration” of the party, Leader of the Opposition, Keith Azopardi, said.

On Tuesday morning the GSD announced Professor Daniella Tilbury and Abigail Gomez have joined the currently 28-strong Party Executive Committee that is made up of MPs, elected Executive Members and a small number of life and co-opted members.

Until recently, Prof Tilbury was Gibraltar’s Commissioner for Sustainable Development and Future Generations after having been the inaugural Vice-Chancellor (CEO) for the University of Gibraltar.

She is also an international policy adviser to the UN and EU and has led international negotiations in the area of climate change and education.

Mrs Gomez is currently a compliance officer in a local financial services provider and has a first-class honours degree in sports coaching and development.

She has also spent time volunteering with the Panathlon Foundation that gives children with disabilities and special needs opportunities to engage in competitive sport.

“I am delighted that the Party Executive has ratified the co-option of Daniella and Abigail onto our Executive,” Mr Azopardi said.

“They will be great additions to our team.”

“Abigail has been involved in various sub-committees of the Party as well as in our grassroots work over the last couple of years.”

“Daniella has an impressive career in academia, international policy and public services and almost needs no introduction.”

“They will be real assets and both form part of the strengthening and regeneration of the GSD that I have been keen to prioritise over the last few years.”

“The influx of new people into the Executive and the Party as a whole is making it more diverse, representative, younger and stronger in depth.”

“This augurs well for the talented team that we will – in due course – present to fight the next election as the modern, progressive alternative to the GSLP/Libs.”

Prof Tilbury said: “Gibraltar needs change now.”

“I would like to live in a place where it is safe to express one’s opinion; where people are listened to and can actively shape government practice; where divergent views are respected and, where Ministries work in a connected way for the better of all and not just a few.”

“Now is the time to stand up and be counted.”

“I am supporting the GSD as the party that will create a brighter and fairer future for Gibraltar.”

For her part, Mrs Gomez said: “I was drawn to get involved some years ago.”

“It was like nothing seemed fair.”

“Housing, education and welfare were all problems you could see on the streets and on social media.”

“The GHA doesn’t work like it should.”

“I was worried about my children’s future.”

“I remember looking at each news story thinking, I love our Rock, Gibraltar is a small place, why can’t we fix things?”

“If I see a problem– I really feel the need to get involved.”

“It seems to me that there are many financial or economic issues to fix and the rises in tax and fees are hitting people on low incomes really hard especially in this cost of living crisis.”

“There are big fairness and opportunity issues.”

“It’s all got to change.”