Why don't Gibraltarians want to be Spanish?

Why don't Gibraltarians want to be Spanish? Now... there's a question!

This question was just asked by a Google user, who arrived on my blog after putting that question in as his/her search term on Google. The Google user was directed to a post I made a little while back asking "Can Gibraltarians ever envisage a Spanish Gibraltar?".

I'm afraid I don't think the google user will have been able to find the answer to his/her question on that post... which is a shame... as it is a good question.

That blog post largely deals with an interview given by Peter Montegriffo, in which he talked about aspects of Gibraltar's sovereignty, saying the time was "not right for us to address the sovereignty issue". I then raised the question on whether Gibraltarians could ever "envisage a Spanish Gibraltar" and went on to explore the future and the possibility of "a Gibraltarian Gibraltar"... possibly in the form of a micro-State within the European Union.

So, whilst an interesting subject for further exploration, I doubt whether this google user today, found an answer to his question on "why don't Gibraltarians want to be Spanish?".

Actually... as a quick aside... I am often much amused by the queries people use, on Google and other search engines... and how they arrive on my blog! One user recently, was directed to one of my monthly blog archive pages, (where posts from the whole month are listed) following a google query for "pollution in my twat"!!! This one really made me roll around laughing! Clever google... saw that I had a couple of blog posts on that archive page... one a rant about pollution in the Bay of Gibraltar... and another post ranting on about my "Twat of the Week" (who happened to be the infamous twat and wanker banker Fred Goodwin that week)... so google thought it appropriate to direct this unfortunate user to my page!! ha ha I'm pretty sure this user did not find an answer to what sounds to me a rather strange and worrying condition... and I do hope she (I can only assume that was a female user) has now found suitable and appropriate medical advice!

Another Google search just this morning... this time from Saudi Arabia arrived on a post on 'Nuclear submarine collision in Gibraltar... what if?' by searching for "gibraltar nuclear weapons store"!! Now that's a bit worrying!

I could go on... but anyhow... apologies for my digressing... I shall get back to trying to answer this question today!

So... why don't Gibraltarians want to be Spanish? Well, the answer, as an uninformed reader might imagine... is... for many reasons... and I'm not sure where to start??

The first thing that comes to my head is to ask... well, why should a Gibraltarian want to be Spanish?

In the same way... why would a Frenchman not want to be English? After all... these two countries are geographically next to each other and have shared many parallels through history. Or... why would a Scotsman not want to be English... they've been neighbours and have shared a nationality (British... through the Act of Union) for hundreds of years haven't they? Why might an Australian not want to be a Kiwi New Zealander? Again... they're just across the pacific from each other. The obvious answer to all these questions is... because they ARE French... or because he IS a Scot.... or an Aussie! Quite simple really!

A Gibraltarian would not want to be Spanish... because he IS a British Gibraltarian... and because that is what we have been for even longer than the USA has existed... Gibraltar has been British for over 300 years.... since 1704... so the real question should be... why should a Gibraltarin want to be Spanish? The question should just not arise. Quite simply, the answer being why should he?

I cannot answer for each and every Gibraltarians naturally... and this is just my humble view... but I have a feeling I am in a very large majority... and the vast majority of Gibraltarians would agree with me.

But... let's explore what to my mind is more to the point... why do Gibraltarians choose to remain British? You see, unlike most other British people around the world and through history, most have never been given the choice... but Gibraltarians have... two times in fact... since 1967, Gibraltarians have had the option put to us... to democractially choose whether we wish to remain under British sovereignty... or come under Spanish sovereignty! We are getting a bit fed up with having to answer the question actually!

Historic Referenda

In successive Referenda (Referendums if you like) on the sovereignty of Gibraltar, Gibraltarians have voted democraticlly and emphatically to remain British:

• 1967 - Gibraltar's first sovereignty referendum was held on 10 September 1967, in which Gibraltarian voters were asked whether they wished to either pass under Spanish sovereignty, or remain under British sovereignty, with institutions of self-government. Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly by 12,138 (99.19% of the electorate) to 44 to remain under British sovereignty.

• 2002 - The Government of Gibraltar called a referendum on 7 November 2002 to establish the popular support for a proposal to share sovereignty of the territory with Spain. The result was a massive rejection of the concept. The actual voting was as follows: 18176 voted representing 87.9% of the electorate. There were 89 papers spoilt of which 72 were blank. Of the 18,087 valid ballots 187 voted YES, and 17,900 voted NO.
• 2006 - Futhermore, a referendum on the proposed new constitution of Gibraltar was held on 30 November 2006. After being accepted by 60.24% of voters, the new constitution came into effect on the 2nd of January 2007. Turnout was low at 60.4%. It has been speculated that the relatively low margin with which the constitution passed was a response to the unpopularity of the Cordoba Accords (a tripartite agreement on co-operation between the Governments of the UK, Spain and Gibraltar) among some segments of the electorate (who were unhappy about any agreement with Spain), and a confusion between these two issues .

So, as you can see... it's pretty emphatic. Gibraltarians do NOT want to come under Spanish sovereignty.

As to more specific reasons why... well, these are quite complex. Other than what I have already explained and I suppose each Gibraltarian has his or her own view and very passionate ones they are too... for myself, it's about values!

I strongly value the long established British values of freedom, democracy, justice, freedom of speech, human rights and the embracing of mixed cultures, creeds and religions within our society.

Spain... has a long way to go on all those values... before one could even begin to compare the two cultures and traditions. Granted, Spain has come a long way since Franco's day... and especially since its integration with the European Union... but their democracy is still in its infancy... and they still have a long way to go... before they fully catch up!

Having said that, I have no problem with Spain and the Spanish people... though I do resent the constant bullying by Spanish politicians and Spain's belligerent politics, at times, towards Gibraltar.

But... as far as Spain and its people are concerned... I have always been a lover of it's wealth of culture, gastronomy, the way of and quality of life and the warmth of the people. Throughout my life, I have loved all these aspects of Spain and what it can provide and I am very well aware of these hugely positive things about Spain... NONE of which make me want to BE Spanish! I am very happy and content being what I am... a very proud Briish Gibraltarian!

If you are interested in exploring these further, the best thing I would suggest you do is to have a look at this Gibraltar Documentary Film. This film was a project produced by Garrett Wesley Gibbons, an American student at Brigham Young University. It is a very good documentary, primarily describing what a Gibraltarin (also known as a 'Llanito') is all about... and why we value our Britishness.

I hope this blog post has gone some way towards answering the question of why Gibraltarians don't want to be Spanish. I suspect there are many questions unanswered though... and if you have any... by all means ask away using the 'Comments' system below.

If you are Gibraltarian... and want to say why YOU don't want to be Spanish... then please feel free to comment below.

All comments, as always, will be very welcome. (Please note... abusive or racist anti-Gibraltarian nonsense will be deleted!)

Saludos!

Montegriffo comments on the question of a 'Spanish Gibraltar'

In a blog post just over a week ago, I asked the question... Can Gibraltarians ever envisage a Spanish Gibraltar?.

My question arose following comments I read in one of Gibraltar's daily newspapers, Panorama online and in my colleague Sancho's blog Tilting at Windmills.

These two articles carried comments attributed to Peter Montegriffo, the former GSD (Gibraltar Social Democrats) minister, who recently gave an interview to the Campo de Gibraltar newspaper, Europa Sur.

In this interview, Peter Montegriffo was quoted as saying that "the time was not ripe for a sovereignty solution" for Gibraltar and added, "adequate conditions must first be created before embarking on sovereignty talks".

Well, this really intrigued me!

When asked, in the Europa Sur interview, if he thought there is a solution to the sovereignty issue, he replied:

"Of course there is.

I have always thought it is possible to find a solution in the context of the European union, applying the democratic principles and of mutual respect that unite us."

In our articles last week, both Sancho and I expressed a curiosity about the basis on which future talks on the sovereignty of Gibraltar could possibly be founded. Sancho put it in a nutshell:

He says that adequate conditions must first be created before embarking on sovereignty talks... but then goes on to say he believes that a future agreement on sovereignty can be reached.

I should add that he fully backs the tripartite process and closer links with the Campo de Gibraltar. However co-operation is one thing – sovereignty is quite another.

So why future talks?

Unless I am wrong, and I frequently am, the Spanish Government’s position is clear – it believes that Gibraltar should be an integral part of the nation and even joint sovereignty would only be a stepping stone on the road to that eventual goal. All the major parties are agreed on that stance.

In contrast the people of Gibraltar have indicated in two referenda that they totally reject any sovereignty deal with Spain. Hence we have two set positions – surrender and no surrender.

If Spain’s ambitions for Gibraltar and Gibraltarians ambitions for the Rock are totally at odds with each other - surely there is nothing to discuss.

Therefore unless Gibraltarians collectively are willing to go along the Spanish route talks can achieve nothing. Indeed you can’t have talks on sovereignty when sovereignty for Gibraltarians isn’t an issue.

Spain, or rather its government, isn’t going to change its stance – so is Gibraltar?

Sancho summarises the situation very well... which is why I was even more curious as to what Montegriffo was up to.

Well... my curiosity was answered... sooner than I thought! Peter Montegriffo got in touch with me and he very kindly clarified (corrected) a number of the points that were quoted, both here and in the other media sources. His comments make for interesting reading.

Anyone who is tired of the usual entrenched positions of "Gibraltar Espanol" on the one hand and "British we are... British we stay" on the other (as I am), and perhaps who is looking for a middle ground or alternatives to these stalemated positions, will be very interested in Peter Montegriffo's views.

In an exchange of emails with me, Peter firstly corrected the Panorama quote:

"In the Europa Sur article, what I actually said was that I personally do not think that the time is right for us to address the sovereignty issue at all. I did not incidentally use the word "ripe" as reported by Panorama."

On the question I raised, about whether Gibraltarians can ever "envisage a Spanish Gibraltar" and my curiosity as to what Montegriffo was up to, he said:

"I can assure you that I do not hold the view (and never have) that Gibraltar should become Spanish. But I do believe we can arrive at a Gibraltarian Gibraltar (namely a micro-State within the European Union), that deals with and neutralises (that does not mean gives in to) the Spanish claim."

Well... that's clear enough... and I for one am very interested in exploring this possibility of a 'micro-state within the European Union' or as others are calling it, 'the Andorran model'.

Following my blog post last week, I also opened a topic (and subsequent Poll) on this subject in Gibraltar News Online forum

When I asked if he would like to comment, either on this blog or in the Forum topic, in the hope of encouraging more debate on this issue, (something I am keen to do), Peter Montegriffo said:

"I am very happy to join any debate but given that no-one in Gibraltar (certainly not myself) is suggesting a Spanish Gibraltar, why run a poll with that question?

That sort of 'enquiry' in my view simply distorts the discussion that should be had about our future. It is not a choice between British or Spanish sovereignty which is what the debate is often reduced to."

Fair comment... and one that I very much agree with. However, in my own defence, I explained that when I created the topic, my intention was precisely to shake people's thinking on the issue of sovereignty... which was raised in the Europa Sur interview.

In our exchange, Montegriffo added:

"But what I have always had in mind is a Gibraltarian Gibraltar, which both Britain and Spain will come to accept.

This is what the poll should be asking and is a more proper reflection of my views.

Not a bad idea Peter! In fact, one that I welcome very much. My intention and hope is the same as Peter's... and that is to encourage and generate debate on these issues... in particular, and indeed as is happening.. to move on from these old, entrenched views.

In the event, that is exactly what is happening in the Forum topic, as subsequent comments have moved the conversation in the direction of a 'micro-state'... discussing, as one poster commented, "thinking out of the box" on the way ahead for Gibraltar.

But I am happy to accept Peter Montegriffo's suggestion for a future poll to encourage debate on this issue... and I have asked him to suggest what the question should be. I am hopefull that he accedes to my request... as his suggestion for a Poll question (and discussion on this point) would make for very interesting debate, I think.

My thanks to Peter Montegriffo, for the courtesy he has extended me to date, in clarifying and expanding on his views.

Montegriffo's future in Gibraltar politics

Since his resignation from Government in February 2000, Peter Montegriffo has officially been out of politics. However, as can be seen from these articles, he does comment on political issues from time to time.

As for the future, Peter has recently been described as "merely biding his time until the present Chief Minister, Peter Caruana, steps down". It is thought that he will then 'throw his hat' into the GSD leadership race that will ensue.

Not wanting to miss the opportunity, whilst I had his attention, I asked Peter, if this is the case... and if it isn't, what exactly is his political agenda for the future?

As I write, I am still awaiting his response... but I have a feeling he may be playing a little coy on this one!

Peter Montegriffo

Peter Montegriffo is a lawyer and partner in Gibraltar law firm Hassans. He was Minister for Trade and Industry, with responsibility for economic development and financial services, in the first GSD Government, (deputy to Peter Caruana, the Chief Minister), between May 1996 and February 2000, when he resigned from politics to 'pursue other interests'.