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British expats on Gibraltar being ignored by UK government
| Published: | 27 Nov at 6 PM |
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British expats living on Gibraltar are increasingly afraid for their futures as the UK government has totally ignored their plight to date.
A senior Spanish government source close to the EU negotiating team is insisting the British team have offered no proposals at all concerning the post-Brexit future of the famous Rock and its Brit expats. Gibraltar, it seems, is heading towards a sharp, irrevocable departure from the European single market, and its British residents are becoming more and more concerned.
The leak became news after the EU’s April guidelines insisted the British territory would be excluded from any trade deal reached in the future between the EU and UK unless an agreement was first reached with Spain. In a report by the Guardian newspaper, the source complained neither the Rock’s government nor its British equivalent have fronted any proposals for its future. The issue has been controversial ever since Spain asserted its long-term territorial claim over Gibraltar almost immediately following the Brexit referendum.
According to the Spanish government source, the issue is clear-cut as the Rock became part of the Brexit controversy due to its dependence on Britain. Its situation will remain the same until Brexit is finalised, at which time it will be forced to leave the EU along with the UK. Should Gibraltarians wish for another outcome, the source said, they will have enter into discussions with Spain. At present as well as up until now, he added, the British government consider they have more important issues with which to deal.
Last month, Theresa May stated she would be going after a deal which involves and works for Gibraltar as well as for the UK itself. Her commitment is thought to have been connected with House of Commons concernc over Downing Street’s apparent willingness to abandon the Rock and its British residents if it helped secure a UK/EU trade deal. When asked about their position on the issue, the Gibraltar government declined to comment on ‘rumours from un-named Spanish sources’.
A senior Spanish government source close to the EU negotiating team is insisting the British team have offered no proposals at all concerning the post-Brexit future of the famous Rock and its Brit expats. Gibraltar, it seems, is heading towards a sharp, irrevocable departure from the European single market, and its British residents are becoming more and more concerned.
The leak became news after the EU’s April guidelines insisted the British territory would be excluded from any trade deal reached in the future between the EU and UK unless an agreement was first reached with Spain. In a report by the Guardian newspaper, the source complained neither the Rock’s government nor its British equivalent have fronted any proposals for its future. The issue has been controversial ever since Spain asserted its long-term territorial claim over Gibraltar almost immediately following the Brexit referendum.
According to the Spanish government source, the issue is clear-cut as the Rock became part of the Brexit controversy due to its dependence on Britain. Its situation will remain the same until Brexit is finalised, at which time it will be forced to leave the EU along with the UK. Should Gibraltarians wish for another outcome, the source said, they will have enter into discussions with Spain. At present as well as up until now, he added, the British government consider they have more important issues with which to deal.
Last month, Theresa May stated she would be going after a deal which involves and works for Gibraltar as well as for the UK itself. Her commitment is thought to have been connected with House of Commons concernc over Downing Street’s apparent willingness to abandon the Rock and its British residents if it helped secure a UK/EU trade deal. When asked about their position on the issue, the Gibraltar government declined to comment on ‘rumours from un-named Spanish sources’.
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