Eric's Garden

A few thoughts on bullfighting.

The debate over bullfighting in Spain has taken a political twist. The fiercely-independent region of Catalonia wants it banned, while traditionalists in the capital Madrid want it declared cultural heritage. But in southern Spain, as I discovered at a fight recently, the row is seen as largely academic. “Get rid of the bullfight?” responded an incredulous Antonio, a hardcore aficionado. “It’s not going to happen.”

A lonely place called Parliament.

Every time I cover a session in Parliament, I come away with a bad taste in my mouth. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I know there has to be a more efficient way of conducting public affairs in a place as small as Gibraltar.

People here engage with politics at street level. They are keenly aware of the issues affect them and debate them furiously in coffee houses the length of Main Street. But how many know what goes on in Parliament, where things supposedly get done? How many see our politicians in action in the debating chamber?