MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
''Vote Leave'' Chair says leaving the EU will not affect UK protection of Overseas Territories
Withdrawal from the European Union will not affect the protection the UK provides for its overseas territories, the chair of Vote Leave, Gisela Stuart, has told MPs in the House of Commons. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesI'm sorry about the views of the Falklands and Gibraltar. I wonder if they have lost sight of reality. Do the people of these countries really think that the wishes of 33,000 people mean much against the needs of 65 million? Both countries managed before the EU. They can either manage again or hand themselves over to argieland and spain. Nobody except Britain is going to help them.
Apr 29th, 2016 - 07:46 am - Link - Report abuse 0“I'm sorry about the views of the Falklands and Gibraltar. I wonder if they have lost sight of reality. Do the people of these countries really think that the wishes of 33,000 people mean much against the needs of 65 million? ”
Apr 29th, 2016 - 08:38 am - Link - Report abuse 0We're entitled to our opinions, just as you are. In terms of votes, we are numerically less: my vote will counter your vote, and that's it: but to silence us as you wish is undemocratic.
As to your assertion that the “needs” of the 65 million are to leave - that's your opinion. An incorrect one as far as I am concerned - and not just because I am Gibraltarian. IMO a Brexit is against the UK's interests, but then I don't have the misty-eyed view of the UK as a 'great power' that some of you do.
“Nobody except Britain is going to help them.”
Really? The EU has helped us enormously: I expanded on that on another thread. It is the EU that keeps the border open; that forced Spain to recognise our dialling code and open phone lines; that ensures Spain can't impose unilateral restrictions, and forces it to take its ludicrous 'complaints' through EU channels (where every single one has failed). And that enables our businesses to operate Europe-wide.
It is well-known that one of the first questions Margallo asked on coming to power was “can I close the border?” The answer, of course, is No because of Article 45 of the TFEU. That doesn't apply in case of Brexit.
A Brexit would probably shrink our economy by 20%; a closed border by 50% or more. So for us, it's a no-brainer.
Britain has done little to help us unilaterally: what it does is through representation to the EU. The tangible help from the UK is that our Constitution means we can veto attempts (like those of Blair and Hain) to sell us out. But in terms of anything unilateral from the UK - preventing Spanish naval incursions, or stopping harrassment - all we get are diplomatic notes.
I prefer the authority of EU law to relying on the good behaviour of a Spanish Govt.
@ 2 sceptic64
Apr 29th, 2016 - 11:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0I am confused.
Picardo claims there are many thousands of Spanish working in Gibraltar and they are the ones who suffer most when the border 'slow-down' is in place.
I do realize that Gollum is an ignorant twat, but then again most of the so called government are the same (if ever they manage to form a government this May) but do you really think that given the unrest throughout Spain the workers in Gib from Spain are going to stand for having there livelihood snatched from them without major unrest and probably triggering another threat of internal break up?
Frankly I couldn't see WTF the EU did except sit on the fence at the last fiasco so I do not believe they will be of any help if the remain idiots win.
Vote LEAVE!
# 3: “Picardo claims there are many thousands of Spanish working in Gibraltar and they are the ones who suffer most when the border 'slow-down' is in place.”
Apr 29th, 2016 - 01:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0There are c, 10,000 who live in Spain but work in Gibraltar. Not all are Spanish, but about 7,000 are: the rest are others who live there because it is cheaper (rental prices in La Linea are about 40% those in Gib, for example).
Obviously, if the border closes, all these are out of work. But they're not the only ones: I live in Gib but a closed border puts both myself and my wife out of work.
She is a Spanish lawyer: I work in the gaming industry, but 2/3 of my co-workers live in Spain so wouldn't be able to get to work and my company would probably relocate, so I'd be out of work too.
“do you really think that given the unrest throughout Spain the workers in Gib from Spain are going to stand for having there livelihood snatched from them without major unrest and probably triggering another threat of internal break up?”
Frankly, I don't think Madrid give a damn about their workers. What's another few thousand unemployed? They did it before (under Franco admittedly) and Margallo already asked if he could close it now. He's already said that he'd be here on 25th June, champagne in hand, if the UK votes to leave.
“Frankly I couldn't see WTF the EU did except sit on the fence at the last fiasco so I do not believe they will be of any help if the remain idiots win.”
The EU is the reason that the border is open and is the primary legal recourse that has been used to keep Spain in its place. As I said - unilaterally, the UK has done absolutely nothing. Nothing whatsoever.
If we leave, the UK will be more interested in signing trade deals for itself. We will be sacrificed as part of that.
# 1 The reality is that Falklands economic success depends heavily on continued duty free and quota free access to the EU. The economy of Gibraltar relies heavily on continued EU membership.
Apr 29th, 2016 - 01:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It is important that those people leading the respective campaigns are aware of the facts and consequences of their proposals. No one is telling UK citizens how to vote, but isn't it better that they know these things ? Geisla is a good Falklands friend..........but she did not address the issue of market access to the EU.
4. - the best protection you could possibly have would be to recognize the history of how Gibraltar came to be, consider both sides of the story, and offer to share sovereignty.
Apr 29th, 2016 - 04:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0That option is still available, but one day it won't be.
Any token bullsht terms will probably suffice. As long as its an 'agreement'.
British hispanicic viceroyalty of Gibraltar or some such. Anything with Spain somewhere in the title.
You'll never hear a word thereafter and will be considered as an interesting diversion. A trivia fact whose presence Spain enjoys. A boast of Spain's cultural variety and tolerance.
Now someone rant to me about utrecht, and fighting them on the beaches.
4
Apr 29th, 2016 - 04:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You really need to explain why 65 million people should be bothered about the fortunes of a few thousand people...
I'm sure you like to enjoy the benefits of being a British Citizen..whilst not living in Britain and paying British taxes...is it your billions that are being spent to support all the deadbeat countries of the EU....?
I don't think so....freeloader...
How many immigrants have you been forced to admit recently to sponge off your health services and other benefits,,,,
Would that be none...?
I'm sick to death of being bombarded with gaming adverts every-time I switch on the TV anyway....
Get a morally responsible job instead or move to Blighty....
Really? The EU has helped us enormously,
Apr 29th, 2016 - 06:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Sorry sceptic64, this merely gives you more and reason to vote to stay,
Europe will look after you..
Britain has done little to help us ,
Again sceptic64
if Britain has done nothing,
then its time you left us and run yourselves,
sadly I think this is going to end badly.
I wish you Gibraltarians would stay,
but if you all vote to remain,
then I wish you future Europeans well on your journey.
but something tells me it wont happen this way.
How would it anyway?
Apr 29th, 2016 - 09:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It's the EU!
Not the planet I'm voting to leave!
Hey, voicey and vesty turn up at the same time on this thread! How funny ;)
Apr 30th, 2016 - 12:54 am - Link - Report abuse 0Spain: Melilla & Ceuta
Argentina: eurolatin colony construct; built on the blood and bones of natives, usurped and massacred.
Get the freak outta here you muppets.
Until Gibraltar declares independence, Britain is stuck with it. The only other option, acquiescence to a Spanish military takeover, would prove intolerable to British pride.
Apr 30th, 2016 - 06:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0So Gibraltar will continue to be British until the Gibraltans decide otherwise.
10 - Ceuta, Melilla, and/or Argentina, won't help when Rajoy holds the keys to Gibs door (and thus it's politics).
Apr 30th, 2016 - 01:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Do it the easy and graceful way while there's still time.
There's no call for a takeover, but there is a grievance to resolve. And a time limit.
If GiB finds itself on the wrong side of the vote and the wrong side of the time limit then that pride is going to take a fall.
Trade agreements can take years.
The left is losing their minds all over the world. They had their shot the last decade and failed miserably.
Apr 30th, 2016 - 01:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0They're getting ousted and they know that they won't be back in power for at least another generation.
More civil unrest to follow.
They will not go quietly
They do not respect laws or personal property and will use any means necessary to try to get their way.
http://pol-check.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/the-eu-defence-policy-and-british-forces.html
Apr 30th, 2016 - 07:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The EU Defence Policy and British Forces .
#7 Why should we be bothered? The answer is easy Voice - they are our “few thousand people”
May 02nd, 2016 - 05:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Apparently this June 23rd,
May 02nd, 2016 - 07:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0will be our independence day.
and a great celebration it will be,
vote to leave.
15
May 03rd, 2016 - 12:02 am - Link - Report abuse 0Yet another one that doesn't live in the UK....are we going to suffer your tuppence worth too....
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