English

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

Apparently as far back as when the Arabs ruled Spain it was said that God gave each country 5 wishes.

Spain asked for

SUN to keep us happy and healthy – it was granted

SEA, blue and full of fish to keep us well fed – it was granted

ORCHARDS, lush and abundant to grow fruit and vegetables – it was granted

GIRLS, beautiful and fertile to populate the land – and it was granted

GOOD GOVERNANCE – to keep us safe, content and happy –

This was NOT granted as to do that would create Heaven on Earth!

Well – not a lot has changed since then BUT there is a new Party trying to change that. It is called the Unión Progreso y Democracia (UPyD). UPyD was born in September 2007 and first presented itself for general elections in March 2008. They obtained 303,535 votes and a seat in Madrid: Rosa Diez. The founders of UPyD come from the civic movements such as Basta Ya, Foro de Ermua or Manos Blancas and liberalism. The majority of them have not been active in other political parties, including independent intellectuals such as Fernando Savater. They define themselves as a cross-sectional and progressive party that incorporates the best political ideas from both the left and right.

They are, for the first time, putting forward candidates in some local towns, Torrevieja, Albatera, Pilar de la Horadada in La Vega Baja. The main things that they are hoping to influence are ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENT COUNCIL, MORE EFFECTIVE AND VISIBLE LOCAL POLICE as a starter. Watch this space. We shall be publishing prospective candidates shortly – some of them English!!!

LOOK OUT FOR THE MAGENTA BUS IN YOUR AREA SOON.