By Louise Cripps, Investigations Editor
Bristol second year Luke Stagnetto to stand for election to the European Parliament in the South West and Gibraltar region as part of the Liberal Democrat team.
The twenty-year-old politics and international Relations student is the youngest UK candidate to stand in these elections. He follows in his father’s footsteps, Jonathan Stagnetto, who stood for the position back in 2009. He is sixth on the Liberal Democrat slate.
Stagnetto is the third successive Gibraltarian to stand in the Liberal Democrat ballot. Gibraltar voted in an overwhelming majority of 96% to remain in the European Union in the 2016 referendum. The Liberal Democrats have spearheaded the campaign to remain.
In a press release Stagnetto said, ‘It is important that Gibraltar should be directly represented in these European elections because they will be fundamental for the way forward.’ He went on, ‘to be given the opportunity to stand as a Gibraltarian candidate at the European elections and play an active role in the Brexit debate is hugely fulfilling.’
Commenting on his age, Stagnetto told Epigram, ‘Knowing I am the youngest candidate to stand at the upcoming elections is a daunting fact, but it also makes me realise how fortunate I have been to be given such an important platform to represent the youth vote.’
Stagnetto sees completing his degree as an asset, ‘I chose to study politics and international relations at the University of Bristol, in an attempt to try further my knowledge and understanding of contemporary politics.’
His youth is celebrated by the campaign, the leader of the Liberal party Dr. Joseph Garcia MP said, ‘I am delighted that Luke has decided to put his name forward… Young people like Luke will be among those worst affected by our departure from the European Union. It is vital that they have their say.’
To follow more on Stagnetto’s campaign see: https://www.facebook.com/Luke-Stagnetto-Gibraltars-Liberal-Democrat-MEP-Candidate-600386890476991/
