Why the EU is About to Impose a Hard Border in Gibraltar

In a post-Brexit world, Gibraltar has always been a thorny issue, but with a new Labour government and the possible imposition of a hard border with Spain, could Starmer resolve this problem once and for all and avoid yet more Brexit chaos?

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[loneprimate]

If the British are serious about their sovereignty in these "territories", why don't they make them actual de jure parts of the UK, with MPs in the Commons?

[KelticStingray]

The EU isnt impossing anything... its the UKs consequence of its own action. Ffs. British exceptionalism.

[richymoto]

Accept Gibraltar becoming a member of the Schengen area or face a hard border. The UK made the mess, the UK has to clean it up.

[hibuddy]

TLDR: Spain and the EU aren't imposing anything, Spanish and EU officials tried everything to get a good deal for Gibraltar citizens and right wing UK officials decided that their pride couldn't accept that.

[dnel]

Got to wonder about the 4% that felt Brexit would be good for them. Hope there is an interview somewhere

[RalphyNoPants]

"UK Continues to Face Consequences for Its Decisions" would be a better title.

[piquedo]

I grew up and lived in Algeciras for over 17 years, just on the opposite side of the bay from Gibraltar.

To all those sitting from UK, mainland Spain or elsewhere in Europe saying that El Campo or Spain needs Gibraltar to keep those jobs, I am sorry, but you are wrong. Some background before.

When Spain joined the EU in 1986 and the UK forced to open the border between Spain and Gibraltar, GDP per capita between Spain and Gibraltar was somewhat comparable. It was only from the point that Gibraltar had the best from both worlds, access to the largest single global market AND being a tax heaven that it’s GDP per capita skyrocketed to be in the top 5 worldwide. This would have not been possible without being part of the EU and Spain allowing Gibraltar to provide goods and services through its territory.

What was the cost of that for the surrounding area? impoverishment. Which company would settle in El Campo, if they could do it in Gibraltar paying a fraction of corporate tax? What about income tax? Regarding smuggling, can you imagine the hundred of tons of smuggled tax free tobacco and other products from Gibraltar to Spain which directly impacted on the development of El Campo?

Not a SINGLE wealthy Gibraltarian (or better said, “llanito”) lives in Gibraltar. They all live in luxury areas nearby, such as La Alcaidesa or Sotogrande, making the best out of Spanish public services and overall quality of life. What they do keep in Gibraltar however are their bank accounts.

Gibraltar is a virus for the region, which has been taking advantage of it, I have seen it with my own eyes over the years. It is an unhealthy relationship and Spain and the EU allowed this to happen.

I sincerely hope there is no deal and there is a hard border. So Gibraltarians have to choose to belong to the EU through co-sovereignty or keep their tax heaven living like an island. As I am not nationalistic, I sincerely hope the latter.

[ndsqvgp]

Gibraltar is a colony. 

Since the 1960s, it has been on the United Nations list of "Non-Self-Governing Territories awaiting decolonisation". This colonial vestige is incompatible with resolution 1514 (XV) of 1960 on decolonisation. The United Nations has pointed out that, in the decolonisation process of Gibraltar, the applicable principle is not that of self-determination of peoples but rather that of restitution of Spanish territorial integrity. Spain has repeatedly asked the United Kingdom to enter into negotiations, in compliance with the provisions of the United Nations since 1965, to reach a definitive solution to this dispute.

Gibraltar was ceded to the United Kingdom by the Treaty of Utrecht. However, only "the city and castle of Gibraltar together with its port, defences and fortresses belonging to it" were ceded. The isthmus, like the adjacent waters or the overlying airspace, was not ceded by Spain and has always remained under Spanish sovereignty. The continued de facto occupation by the British does not meet the requirements of international law for the acquisition of sovereignty. That is why Spain has always stressed that the occupation of the isthmus is illegal and contrary to international law and, therefore, has always demanded its unconditional return. Spain does not recognise the occupation of the isthmus or the fence as a border.

[mixk]

Once again a display of why leaving the EU was such a dreadful idea.

[daikucoffee]

We need a hard border around the British propaganda papers

[guitarlover]

The Gibraltar airport is built on Spanish soil. It was allowed to be operated from the rock to make their live easier. So performing checks at the airport is fairly legal and makes sense.

[bttlemastr]

The politicians trying to decide for them against the declared will of 96% of the actual population of the place is insane. They don't care about the people at all.

[tonygrinney]

This is an example where rigid philosophy overrides common sense. Very few UK citizens live in Gibralter and the Tory government were very aware that 96% voted to stay in the EU so they weren't inclined to do them any favours. This rigid Brexit stance has made things extremely difficult for Britains living in Gibraltar, in actual fact having Gibralter as part of Shengen is not going to make much difference except for those with hardline Brexit principle, who are unlikely to ever visit Gibralter anyway! It is an example of a British enclaves needs being ignored because of philosophocal rhetoric!

[themacintoshnerd]

Brexit is never gonna leave the news ever is it?

[eltebux]

UK should not have that territory to start with

[conors]

No no, I just didn’t want people having easy access to my country, but I’m still allowed easy access to theirs right?

[ant]

I live in Gibraltar, so here's my TL;DR - HM Govt of Gibraltar released a technical notice earlier this week stating that the EU's version of ETIAS will likely be coming into effect in November which also means that those with red ID cards (permanent residents) would also have their biometric info taken. There's been some panic, but mostly carrying on as normal. When the govts of Spain (EU), UK and Gibraltar keep saying that they're within touching distance of a deal, it's bollocks. We've been hearing that for the last 2 years. We're getting fed up and want them to announce whether we're getting a deal or not. It's just more of the same uncertainty that we've become accustomed to.

[vicnzvitis]

As a Spaniard I hope the hard border its imposed. Even better the fence is closed (as per treaty of Utrech). That fence was only opened as a condition of the UK for Spain to Join the back then called Common Market. No need to oblige any longer

[wabalaladabdab]

Solution: Gibraltar joins Spain, N.-Ireland joins Ireland, the independent Scotland joins the EU, and England learns how to be a normal country and not an empire.

[ZapOKill]

Dear Britain,
you can't have the cake and eat it too.
Best regards
EU