MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

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  Conqueror

  Gibraltar, or at least its politicians, is making the point. It wants to disassociate itself from Britain in favour of the EU. BUT, at the current rate, Britain pays £19 billion into the EU every year. What price €60 million against that?
  
  People of Gibraltar should beware. There is little difference between the mindset of Spain and that of argieland. When Britain votes to leave the EU on 23 June, there will be a period of 2 years where the UK will probably feel obliged to stand up for Gibraltar.
  
  Articles published today quote Steve Hilton, the man who persuaded David Cameron to seek the leadership of the Conservative party, guided that campaign and then guided government policy for years, as saying that the UK must leave the EU. He points to the attitudes of what he calls the “EU elite” to show that they only seek power and that Britain will become “ungovernable” by the British people if we remain. I hope we have the sense to take his advice.
  
  In the future for the people of Gibraltar is an inescapable result. Will the European Commission care about the fate of 30,000 previously-British people? Will spain wait for EC approval before marching its troops across the frontier?

  May 23rd, 2016 - 10:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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  Chris01

  The ERDF comes out of the EU budget. Member states fund it out of their contribution to the EU budget. For every £1.00 the UK(/Gibraltar) receive in ERDF funding, the EU receives £2.30 from taxes raised in the UK.

  May 23rd, 2016 - 10:40 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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  sceptic64

  1# - “Gibraltar.. wants to disassociate itself from Britain in favour of the EU. BUT, at the current rate, Britain pays £19 billion into the EU every year. What price €60 million against that? ”
  
  First: 'disassociate itself from Britain in favour of the EU' - actually, what you mean is that it disassociates it from YOUR PERSONAL VIEWPOINT that Britain should leave the EU. That is a totally different thing as you will find that the majority view in Gibraltar - to stay - matches the majority view in the UK.
  
  Second: Britain doesn't pay in £19bn per year as it gets most of that back one way or another: the net os about £4bn p/a.
  
  “Will the European Commission care about the fate of 30,000 previously-British people”
  
  We will still be British. The EU has no say in our nationality or status: that is between us and the UK. The EU has no jurisdiction there despite your scaremongering.

  May 23rd, 2016 - 11:06 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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  ChrisR

  @ 3 sceptic64
  
  I can understand your feeling of fear of the unknown given that the cowardly thugs of Spain are just a few minutes away from over-running Gib.
  
  But where is your resolve to remain British?
  
  Gib existed for a long while without the EU 'money' which even if you are correct about the £4Bn 60M Euros is a pathetic return, isn't it.
  
  But of course the referendum is far more important than a few GBP, it's about sovereignty and whether the Brits will have any if they stay with the Euro hordes.
  
  So as I said previously to you, man-up and grow a pair, I am sure you have everything to gain from a Brexit.

  May 23rd, 2016 - 11:22 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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  LEPRecon

  @3 sceptic64
  
  But if the UK votes to leave the EU what will you do?
  
  There are 65 million+ people in the UK and if the majority of those eligible to vote don't want to remain with the EU, what then for Gibraltar?
  
  You have rights. You have the right to become an independent nation and join the EU on your own terms. You don't have to follow what the UK does. That's what self determination is all about.
  
  And considering the amount that the UK pays in to the EU coffers, we could probably give Gibraltar £60 million per year and still be in profit.
  
  Would leaving the EU affect Gibraltar? Probably. It will also affect the UK. However once the voters have chosen, that's it. Whatever the outcome.
  
  Gibraltar should be looking at contingency plans (maybe they already are) just in case the population of the UK vote to leave.
  
  One thing I know is that a Federated States of Europe is the worst thing that could ever happen. And there is a greater chance of BOT's being sold down the river by uncaring and corrupt UNELECTED EU officials, who aren't accountable to anyone, for convenience sake. And once the EU has control over our Armed Forces (and they make no bones about it - that is there final intent) who will stand up to them?
  
  My opinion is to get out now, live with the consequences, and become a truly independent sovereign nation again.
  
  Gibraltar has the right to do whatever they believe is best for them. Self determination. Just as the UK has the right to do whatever we believe is right for us. Self determination.

  May 23rd, 2016 - 03:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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  Briton

  sceptic64
  
  you cant have it both ways,
  
  yes the remain may well vote to remain with your votes,
  and if this happens you and the remainians can congratulate yourselves,
  
  and all will be rosy,
  we will all be British today,
  
  then the EU will come along, thank you all for your support, telling us that you all are proud and want to be European,
  
  and then the pressure and bricks will come tumbling down
  and when the rest of the EU states vote to take the next step towards a united states of Europe by combining and controlling the banks pensions and unified benefits, what will Cameron do then,
  
  when the treaties play out and they move to ratify the political union,
  David stated we will not sign up for political union,
  
  thus the rest , in the fast lane will go forwards towards a united states of Europe and take the single market with them,
  leaving Britain and Denmark in the slow lane on the outside with no power or voice, unless we join,[remember this who crap abt Cameron and the EU is abt the single market,
  
  what then, we either join a European union or withdraw from Europe,
  if we join, Cameron has sold us and you out,
  if we leave, and he knew what's coming down the pipe, why not go now,
  
  he will sell us all to the European dictators,
  
  then again perhaps as a leaver I have it all wrong and the EU will be our paradise, but I think it will be our downfall,
  
  just an opinion.

  May 23rd, 2016 - 06:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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