Peter Isola
Encyclopedia
Peter Joseph Isola, OBE
, GMH
(Gibraltar
, 1929 — 28 January 2006 ), was a Gibraltarian
politician and lawyer. He succeeded Maurice Xiberras
as leader of the Democratic Party of British Gibraltar
(DPBG), a political party in Gibraltar
.
, a Jesuit independent school in Lancashire
, and Pembroke College, Oxford
, where he read Law.
Peter Isola was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Gibraltar as an independent candidate in 1956. He remained in the House of Assembly until 1983. He served two terms, at different times, as Leader of the Opposition, first as independent, and later as leader of the DPBG.
In 1963 and 1964 he went to the United Nations
together with Chief Minister
Sir Joshua Hassan
to oppose Spain
's attempt to obtain sovereignty over Gibraltar
using decolonisation as an instrument to achieve its ends. Both leaders returned to a large public welcome. In 1964 Isola defended Close Association with the UK
, which had been unanimously endorsed by the whole legislature as the constitutional formula for decolonisation which was expected to be achieved by no later than 1969. In 1965, at the height of the Spain's offensive at the United Nations, and as Leader of the Opposition, he decided to enter into a coalition Government, serving as Deputy Chief Minister, with Joshua Hassan going on as Chief Minister. He was one of the members of the Constitutional Conference chaired by Malcolm Shepherd, 2nd Baron Shepherd
in 1968 that drafted the 1969 Gibraltar Constitution
.
He retired from politics when the DPBG disintegrated after it failed to achieve any seats in the 1984 elections and concentrated on his substantial legal practice, heading the legal firm Isola & Isola (now Isolas).
He was also a member of the constitutional advisory committee.
in 2008, Peter Isola was posthumously awarded the Medallion and was therefore recorded in the Gibraltar Roll of Honour.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, GMH
Gibraltar Medallion of Honour
The Gibraltar Medallion of Honour is a civil award scheme established by the Government of the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. Its creation was announced in July 2008 by Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Peter Caruana...
(Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
, 1929 — 28 January 2006 ), was a Gibraltarian
Gibraltarian people
The Gibraltarians are a cultural group native to Gibraltar, a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance to the Mediterranean sea.- Origins :...
politician and lawyer. He succeeded Maurice Xiberras
Maurice Xiberras
Maurice Xiberras is a retired Gibraltarian teacher, trade unionist and politician. He is regarded as being a strong defender of British sovereignty, who believes there is no future for Gibraltar without the continuing close relationship with the United Kingdom....
as leader of the Democratic Party of British Gibraltar
Democratic Party of British Gibraltar
The Democratic Party of British Gibraltar was a right-wing political party founded in 1978 in Gibraltar. It grew out of the now defunct Integration with Britain Party and was led first by Maurice Xiberras, formerly of the IWBP, and subsequently by Peter Isola.It obtained seven seats in the first...
(DPBG), a political party in Gibraltar
Politics of Gibraltar
Gibraltar is represented in the European Union, having been the only British overseas territory which joined the EC under the British Treaty of Accession ....
.
Early life and career
Isola was born in Gibraltar in 1929, and was educated at Stonyhurst CollegeStonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College is a Roman Catholic independent school, adhering to the Jesuit tradition. It is located on the Stonyhurst Estate near the village of Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley area of Lancashire, England, and occupies a Grade I listed building...
, a Jesuit independent school in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, and Pembroke College, Oxford
Pembroke College, Oxford
Pembroke College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England, located in Pembroke Square. As of 2009, Pembroke had an estimated financial endowment of £44.9 million.-History:...
, where he read Law.
Peter Isola was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Gibraltar as an independent candidate in 1956. He remained in the House of Assembly until 1983. He served two terms, at different times, as Leader of the Opposition, first as independent, and later as leader of the DPBG.
In 1963 and 1964 he went to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
together with Chief Minister
Chief Minister of Gibraltar
The Chief Minister of Gibraltar is the leader of the largest party elected to the Gibraltar Parliament, and is formally appointed by the Governor of Gibraltar, representative of the British Crown.-List of Chief Ministers:...
Sir Joshua Hassan
Joshua Hassan
Sir Joshua Abraham Hassan, GBE, KCMG, LVO, QC , nicknamed "Salvador" , was a Gibraltarian politician, and first Mayor and Chief Minister of Gibraltar, serving two terms as Chief Minister for a total of 17 years...
to oppose Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
's attempt to obtain sovereignty over Gibraltar
Disputed status of Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory, near the southernmost tip of the Iberian peninsula, which is the subject of a disputed irredentist claim by Spain....
using decolonisation as an instrument to achieve its ends. Both leaders returned to a large public welcome. In 1964 Isola defended Close Association with the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, which had been unanimously endorsed by the whole legislature as the constitutional formula for decolonisation which was expected to be achieved by no later than 1969. In 1965, at the height of the Spain's offensive at the United Nations, and as Leader of the Opposition, he decided to enter into a coalition Government, serving as Deputy Chief Minister, with Joshua Hassan going on as Chief Minister. He was one of the members of the Constitutional Conference chaired by Malcolm Shepherd, 2nd Baron Shepherd
Malcolm Shepherd, 2nd Baron Shepherd
Malcolm Newton Shepherd, 2nd Baron Shepherd [Hereditary] and also Baron Shepherd of Spalding [Life Peerage] PC , was a British Labour politician and peer who served as Leader of the House of Lords under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan.Shepherd was the son of the Labour politician George...
in 1968 that drafted the 1969 Gibraltar Constitution
Gibraltar Constitution Order 1969
The Gibraltar Constitution Order 1969 was published on 30 May 1969 as an Order in Council.The constitution was the outcome of the Constitutional Conference chaired by Malcolm Shepherd, 2nd Baron Shepherd which lasted from July 16 1968 to July 24...
.
He retired from politics when the DPBG disintegrated after it failed to achieve any seats in the 1984 elections and concentrated on his substantial legal practice, heading the legal firm Isola & Isola (now Isolas).
He was also a member of the constitutional advisory committee.
Honours
Upon the creation of the Gibraltar Medallion of HonourGibraltar Medallion of Honour
The Gibraltar Medallion of Honour is a civil award scheme established by the Government of the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. Its creation was announced in July 2008 by Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Peter Caruana...
in 2008, Peter Isola was posthumously awarded the Medallion and was therefore recorded in the Gibraltar Roll of Honour.
External links
See also
- List of Gibraltarians
- Politics of GibraltarPolitics of GibraltarGibraltar is represented in the European Union, having been the only British overseas territory which joined the EC under the British Treaty of Accession ....