Not Another Press Release!

From Stage to Service: A Journey Towards Inclusion

An episode about representation and the journey to a more inclusive and fair society. In Part 1, Minister Christian Santos talks about his journey from performance, media and showbiz into politics, and what it means to be a different kind of politician, shaped by community, dreams ofrepresentation and the people who do not always see themselves reflected in public life. In Part 2, we meet Jenny and the Supported Needs and Disability Office team, whose work goes far beyond ramps and access points. They talk about the quiet, human work of building bridges, raising awareness and making sure people with supported needs have a visible place in public life. Two conversations, one thread: inclusion is not just something government talks about. It is something people work on, every day.

The Structures Within, The Structures Without

This episode brings together Terence Lopez and Carl Viagas, two people who have spent decades in public service and who have each helped shape Gibraltar in different ways.   Carl has spent his career thinking about the physical shape of Gibraltar: its buildings, heritage, and public spaces, and how we present ourselves to the world. Terence has worked at the operational end, the airport, the frontier, security, and the systems that have to function every single day, no matter what is happening around them.   Together, they talk about infrastructure, yes, but also about service, leadership, and what it means to quietly get on with the job.

Gibraltar's Future, Gibraltar's Youth

In Episode 4, we bring together two conversations about the people and decisions that will shape Gibraltar's future: one grounded in constitutional law, the other in community. Part 1 is a conversation with Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Garcia on the UK-EU Treaty on Gibraltar. As one of the people most closely involved in both the formal negotiations and the years of no-deal contingency planning that ran in parallel, he offers a frank account of what was at stake, how the final text differs significantly from where negotiations began, and why the mitigations and protections built into the treaty matter as much as its headline terms. He addresses the political risks directly, including the possibility of a hostile future Spanish administration, and explains why the treaty's architecture as an agreement between the UK and the EU provides a layer of protection that extends beyond Gibraltar's own leverage. The conversation also covers the implementation timeline, the legislative framework being prepared ahead of the April deadline, and the three parallel workstreams underway: physical infrastructure at the border, primary legislation, and administrative change across government. The episode also touches on the longer constitutional picture: what this treaty means for Gibraltar's relationship with the UK, the case for modernising the constitution, and the ongoing pursuit of decolonisation through the UN list of non-self-governing territories. Part 2 brings in Rebecca Figueras and Abdul Afrah from Gibraltar's Youth Service for a candid conversation about what it means to work with young people today. From the service's recent rebrand and its expanded reach, now covering ages seven to thirty, to the realities of youth work in a small, tightly connected community, they reflect on how needs have shifted over two decades: the rise of wellbeing and mental health conversations, the retreat from street culture, the pressures of social media, and what it means to grow up navigating AI and information overload. The discussion covers how the service operates across four clubs, in schools, and through programmes like the Youth Symposium, which bridges young people and civic life, and the Future Pathways careers initiative, which connects students with professionals across industries. The broader message is clear: young people today are navigating more complexity than any previous generation, and what they need most is space, trust, opportunity, and empathy from the community around them.

Emergency Preparedness, Traffic and Infrastructure

In Episode 3, we look at Gibraltar’s preparedness on two levels: immediate emergency response and long-term resilience planning. Part 1 is a conversation with Ivor Lopez, Civil Contingencies Co-ordinator, on how government plans for complex and evolving risks, including extreme weather, pandemics, cyber incidents, terrorism and system failures. Ivor explains how multi-agency coordination works in practice, why exercises matter, and what Gibraltar’s size means in real operational terms: strong relationships and rapid mobilisation, but finite resources and a need to call on specialist support when required. We also unpack how Gibraltar’s weather alerting system operates, including the distinction between Weather Advisories and Severe Weather Warnings, why thresholds matter, and how the system has evolved to reduce confusion while still warning the public in time. The message is clear: rely on official sources, follow updates as conditions change, and recognise that individual behaviour can either help or worsen a live situation. Part 2 brings in Minister John Cortes and Stewart Harrison to connect day-to-day disruption with structural decisions that define resilience: drainage capacity, road networks, traffic management, vehicle policy, and environmental planning. They discuss how severe weather changes travel behaviour, why east-side closures and rockfall risk quickly strain Gibraltar’s limited routes, and how transport responses are adjusted in real time, including bus routing during closures. The conversation also covers practical delivery: plans for six new fully electric buses for Upper Town routes, expected from September, work with stakeholders across transport (buses, taxis, car parks, highways, licensing), and steps to tackle issues like car park vandalism through closer coordination with the RGP. Finally, we widen the lens to climate change, environmental policy, and the realities of transitioning away from oil-dependent activity, including a frank discussion on bunkering and why global change cannot be solved by unilateral local displacement. The episode closes on what may define Gibraltar in the coming years: wastewater treatment, waste management, and the potential implications of the future UK–EU treaty, including environmental safeguards and pressure points for transport and traffic flow.

Inside the Civil Service and Inside the Podcast

In Episode 2, we go deeper into what Not Another Press Release is trying to do, and what it is not. Part 1 is a one-to-one with Chief Secretary Glendon Martinez, exploring the day-to-day reality of leading Gibraltar’s public service. Glendon explains why the role is strictly apolitical, what it means to oversee an organisation spanning 54 departments (plus agencies, authorities and government-owned companies), and how the job is often defined by the unexpected. We also talk about morale, training, reforms, and why recognising public servants matters. Glendon reflects on union negotiations, the balance between supporting staff and protecting the public purse, and why long-term affordability sits at the heart of public finances. Looking ahead, he discusses the civil service’s approach to modernisation, including how AI is already being used to improve processes, and what a future treaty could mean for Gibraltar and the public service, including adaptation without job losses. The conversation also touches on public perceptions of the civil service, accessibility in a small community, and the value of local talent in senior roles, alongside recruiting the best candidates from abroad when needed. Glendon finishes by sharing cultural picks, from grunge music and Alice in Chains to Meet Joe Black, plus a message of gratitude to public servants across every area of government. Part 2 is a transparent “housekeeping” chat with the podcast team: Anton Calderon, Amy Hayward and Daniel Ghio. We explain how the podcast is made, the format and frequency (every two weeks, usually in two parts), and how guests and topics are chosen. We also address editorial intent: this is a communications tool for the public, not a replacement for journalism and not a vehicle for partisan political debate. Furthermore, we also set out our approach to AI. AI was used to design the logo and compose the theme music, but the conversations and content are unscripted and intentionally human. Finally, we break down the cost: the set-up uses existing Press Office equipment, with spending of just under £400 on items like the neon sign, mugs and paint.