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UK and Gibraltar recognized the vital importance of the EU referendum and the Remain vote
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo underlined on Wednesday the importance of remaining in a reformed European Union, stronger, safer and better off, both for the UK and Gibraltar. The joint statement comes ahead of the June 26 Brexit vote, which for Overseas Territories a 'Leave' victory could be 'catastrophic', according to statements from Gibraltar and Falklands' representatives Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesOh dear, poor Gibraltar. I wonder if Gibraltarians really believe that 60 million Brits, forget the Scots, are going to put the interests of 30,000 people ahead of their own? Or is Gibraltar going to make it worth the UK's while?
May 12th, 2016 - 06:24 am - Link - Report abuse 0In reality, Gibraltarians have a simple choice. Stick with Britain whatever the result of the referendum, or become part of Spain. Putin showed the way with Crimea and the PP government wouldn't hesitate to do the same.
#1: Arrant nonsense. We don't believe that '60 million Brits' are going to put their interests above ours. But we do have a right to express an opinion, just as you do.
May 12th, 2016 - 07:30 am - Link - Report abuse 0Also: do you though believe that 60 million Brits are going to put your prejudices above what is good for them? It is in the UK's wider interests not to leave, but the 'little Englander' brigade are so convinced that they are right that they project that belief onto the rest of the population.
It is your bizarre assumption that it is in the interests of 60 million UK citizens to leave that is erroneous.
@ 2 sceptic64
May 12th, 2016 - 10:57 am - Link - Report abuse 0“the 'little Englander' brigade”
We will see who gets the vote.
Not too long now, packed your bags if you are so sure the UK leaving the EU is going to ruin Gib?
However did you exist before Spain joined the EU?
Grow a pair, you have everything to gain.
“We also paid tribute to the hard-working officers of the Royal Gibraltar Police, Gibraltar Defence Police, HM Customs Gibraltar and all other agencies who contribute to keeping Gibraltar safe,”
May 12th, 2016 - 12:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0But are doing very little to deter the Spanish from harassing the UK and its allies in Gibraltarian waters.
You would pay more tribute to Gibraltar if there was a better detterent than playboats decorated with shark mouths to give a stronger signal to Spain.
The Royal Navy in Gibraltar is as laughable as the Argentine Navy, except our under equipped servicemen are obviously of better standard.
Spain are like Argentina. Bullies at heart.
If we faced up to them, they would back off straight away and pick on drugged defenceless bulls instead while dressed like pansy potter fairies, in stupid hats and tights.
Pity the US Sub did not ram the Spanish boat. The Yanks don't need their base at Rota-tell the Spanish to rotate.
2
May 12th, 2016 - 03:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“It is in the UK's wider interests not to leave”
Great I have obviously and finally found someone to explain why this is...
Please tell me, as I have received fcuk all from the Government or anyone else for that matter...
I would like to know how a maximum 0.5% EU trade tariff will compare to the 55 million per day expense of being in the EU...
You are entitled to an opinion and apparently a vote...yet you are not contributing with your taxes to the cost of that 55 million...
So pardon me if I don't ponder too much on your plight in the event of an exit...
the vital importance of the EU,
May 12th, 2016 - 07:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0correct,
remember only those giving the orders can say yes or no,
if we become part of a European superstrate,
it will be the EU that will make all the decisions and give all the orders,
and if Gibraltar thinks the unmighty EU will look after them,
then vote to remain, if you want to come with us, then vote to leave,
the polls show Gibraltar is way on course to vote remain,
you cant have it both ways, be in a political union with the EU and be British,
some tells me the EU will pressure the British government to give Gibraltar the choice, EU citizens or British in a future referendum, the Cameron will not take much persuading,
I personally hope Gibraltar not only knows what she is doing, but make the right decision, and not a government one.
just my opinion.
#5: 55 million a day? that is the gross subscription and doesn't take into account the rebate, or any money returned to the UK from structural or agricultural funds etc. Once you take those into account, the net is about 11m per day. In fact, as a percentage of national income, the UK has the lowest contributions in the EU.
May 13th, 2016 - 07:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0Secondly the tariff: if the UK enters the EEA, it will have to adopt EU regulations on goods and services to be sold into the EU, and accept freedom of movement of people: if it is outside the EU it will still face some tariffs under WTO rules, still have to meet EU regulations, but not have freedom of movement. This is estimated to cost the UK about 1 - 1.5% of GDP.
It could then negotiate its own trade deals. Given that the biggest of these is the one-sided TTIP, that would seem an argument for leaving. However, TTIP has been negotiated under a mandate from the EU member states and the US's conditions are unacceptable to France and Germany, so it won't happen with the EU in its current form as it requires an OK from all 28 members. On the other hand, both Cameron and Boris Johnson - likely PM if the UK leaves - are hugely in favour. So it is fair to state that's a model for a UK/US trade deal.
My personal contribution? You are right, Gib does not pay to EU funds (pro rata to the UK, it would pay about £2m). Nor does it really receive anything.
Me? While living and working in the UK, I paid about £300k in income tax alone while being a single man. Never claimed dole or anything else (eg kids education) and my sole 'drag' on this was as a student in the 80s and treatment for a broken leg. I still pay into my UK state pension fund. So I think it's fair to say the UK Govt has made a profit from me.
#6: And how will this superstate come about without treaty change? On which the UK electorate was promised a referendum? It's not the EU that welched on that with Lisbon - it was Blair. Look closer to home for the democratic deficit.
And how will this superstate come about without treaty change
May 14th, 2016 - 06:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You wont need treaty change, its already here in part,
the EU wish to remove national vetoes and replace this with majority voting,
as for Blair. I did not mention him,
the fact of the matter is, if we become part of a political union with the EU
we will lose any power , voice and vetoes, and Gibraltar will become part of that system,
the old EU maps showed Britain as part of the northern province of France,
Gibraltar will come under the influence of the southern regain which will be Spain,
then again who know what will happen in truth,
we are all abt to find out,
the problem crops up if we leave and Gibraltar votes to remain, you will then have to decide , you either come with us, or stay as part of the EU,
that will be your choice,
if we vote to remain, we will all meet in hell together.
just my humble opinion.
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