"Spanish and Brits in Confrontation at Gibraltar" Topic

Authorities in Madrid and Gibraltar gave differing versions on Monday of an incident in which a Spanish warship told commercial ships to leave anchorages near Gibraltar, the latest example of tension over the strategic port as Brexit approaches…

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Ah, we have had Gibraltar since the War of the Spanish Succession, and I don't think we are going to give it back without a fight!

Appears the Spanish don't teach that they lost Gibraltar in history class, a very long time ago.

Not sure what Brexit has to do with that loss of strategic territory, other than a false sense that it's a good excuse to revisit their military failings.

Sounds like they are itching for a re-fight.

Gib voted 99% to stay British, so will. Mind you, they also voted 97% to stay in the EU, but you can't have everything.

Loyalty is easy when it's untested. 99% voted to remain British when there was no down side, but Gibraltans have kinda gotten used to their tiny 2.6sq mile island not being a prison camp. When Brexit takes effect and the end of freedom of movement starts to impact on a daily basis loyalty to dear ol Blighty won't be polling quite so high.. though I imagine they might pursue a union with Malta before Spain.

3rd Foot and Mouth,

The Spanish have shut the border before or made transit across it very difficult … and the Gibraltarians coped. Many local Spaniards cross to work in Gib, and when this happened before, they were replaced by Moroccans. The mosque at Europa Point is testament to the influx of Moroccans, although very few settled or continue to work on The Rock.

I suspect that the sabre-rattling has more to do with the current internal political situation in Spain. Growing regionalism (and the desire for much more self-governance or independence), budgetary problems, and the forthcoming General Election gives impetus to the 'We want Gibraltar back' attitude.

I am sure that the Spanish claims would have greater credence if they gave back Tetuan and Melilla to Morocco (which is not very likely) or the population of The Rock voted in favour of re-integration.

Gib has been held for the Crown for longer than it was ever part of Spain.
Madrid government is trying to divert attention from the Catalan problem and wave the nationalist flag a bit….…big concerns too about economic losses if the border is shut or tightened up……ask the Spaniards about Ceuta or Melilla for pro Gibraltar arguments!!

As usual politians go about this all the wrong way.
If the Spanish really want Gibraltar they just have to offer them all Spanish passports so they can have EU citizen rights and wait.
Once Brexit has achieved its full "potential" then encourage the Gibraltarians to ask for a vote for a new "combined" UK/Spanish Hong Kong like Status. Being nasty just entrenches opinions but saying that the door is always open and here is a free EU passport and look how much more money we can all make would probably work.

Tired Mammal. Some good thinking there. Offering Spanish passports is an excellent idea.

Tired Mamal. I get the impression that your comment is driven more by a dislike of Brexit than any kniwledgecat all about Gib.

The Spanish would not be saber rattling if it wasn't for the UK's current weakness.
Gib voted 97% to stay in the EU. If the Spanish really wanted the land back offering them passports letting them stay in EU and playing the long game would achieve their goals in a generation or 2. Especially when a lot of property on the costa may be available soon at cheap prices when the UK pensioners have to return due to health insurance costs.

The idea that they can retake any territory by making life so unpleasant that people leave has never worked.

As said before these actions are just for internal politics and not really an attempt to reclaim the land.

And Yes I dislike any government policy that deliberately and knowingly removes my rights and actively choses to break the economy while turning a blind eye to the largest electoral fraud since 1832 reform act all in the name of party unity. Others may approve of such actions but I doubt that the Gibraltiese are looking forward to it.

>Government policy that removes your rights.

As a Canadian, I don't have the right of freedom of movement to my homeland in Scotland, Tired Mammal. I don't have it specifically because the UK chose the mainland over the Commonwealth. It's going to be nice having you all back.