FOR those of us of a certain age, the dispatching of HMS Westminster to Gibraltar is reminiscent of another maritime expedition some 31 years ago to the South Atlantic.

In exactly the same way that we recaptured the Falkland Islands when they were illegally taken in 1982, we will make sure that Gibraltar does not suffer at the hands of the Spanish.

Of course, there is no question that the Spanish are about to invade Gibraltar, and no question that their current activities are little more than pathetic posturing on their part over a long-term sovereignty dispute.

But the reaction of the government over this is absolutely right: whilst residents of British Protectorates want to continue to fly our flag over their countries, we will continue to protect their rights and freedoms.

The current Spanish border antics are unusual. Anyone who has taken a driving holiday through Europe recently will know that in many cases the only way you know you have moved from one country to another is that your mobile ‘phone operator changes and the road signs are in a different language.

This is because all European countries are part of an agreement called The Schengen Zone, which provides for no border controls between countries – apart from the UK.

Because Gibraltar is part of the UK, there is an enforceable border. So we shall continue to look after the interests of our protectorates and bring the Spanish to their senses.

One of the advantages of being an MP is that you tend to get pretty good service, especially when it comes to our offices.

So when a service becomes far from adequate, it is a sure sign that something is failing badly.

This is the case with my Kidderminster office and BT. The catalogue of errors and disasters from BT over the last few weeks and months that have resulted in my Kidderminster office being cut off from telephones for the last week, suggest to me that BT may be failing many constituents – especially businesses.

I am already well aware of the constraints with regard high speed broadband access for businesses locally, but I am not aware of other problems.

Although there are alternative telephone providers, BT has the monopoly on the infrastructure and that is why this is a big issue. If BT cannot hook up any business and keep them in contact with their customers, then that is a big, big problem.

So my appeal is to anyone, especially businesses, who have an issue with BT, to come forward and let me know.

That way I can prepare a comprehensive case to take to them to get them to pull their finger out. But if you do get in touch, please do so by e-mail – my Kidderminster telephones are still out of action!

CONTACT YOUR MP

  • Email: mark.garnier.mp@ parliament.uk
  • Telephone: 020 7219 7198 or 01562 746771.
  • Write: 9a Lower Mill Street, Kidderminster, DY11 6UU, or House of Commons, Westminster, London