Brexit: Gibraltar angered by Spain's EU 'veto'

[VectraMan]

Why is this even a story? All 27 EU countries have a veto over whatever deal we have, and that will include Gibralter. Nobody's getting upset about Slovakia's veto, and equally nowhere in this announcement from the EU does it say anything about Gibralter's sovereignty. The only story here is how easily nationalists get wound up about things.

[vetran]

Why is this even a story? All 27 EU countries have a veto over whatever deal we have, and that will include Gibralter. Nobody's getting upset about Slovakia's veto, and equally nowhere in this announcement from the EU does it say anything about Gibralter's sovereignty. The only story here is how easily nationalists get wound up about things.

the problem is that Spain want to make a thing of it and the EU is backing them, not because its right but because Spain want to remain a member.

[VectraMan]

the problem is that Spain want to make a thing of it and the EU is backing them, not because its right but because Spain want to remain a member.

Maybe we should wait and see if Spain makes a thing of it and if the EU backs them rather than making assumptions based on your own fantasies of the Big Bad EU.

What "thing" could Spain make of it anyway? They could close the border again, which Gibraltar certainly doesn't want, but that's really the UK's decision in taking Gibraltar out of the EU and freedom of movement. I don't see how Brexit could possibly advance Spain's claim on Gibraltar, except if the people of Gibraltar decided they wanted to stay in the EU so much they'd become part of Spain, which isn't going to happen.

Non story. The only likely outcome will be the UK having to spend more money on supporting Gibraltar if it ends up being cut off from Spain.

We should probably be far more worried about the likely war over fishing rights...

[vetran]

Maybe we should wait and see if Spain makes a thing of it and if the EU backs them rather than making assumptions based on your own fantasies of the Big Bad EU.

What "thing" could Spain make of it anyway? They could close the border again, which Gibraltar certainly doesn't want, but that's really the UK's decision in taking Gibraltar out of the EU and freedom of movement. I don't see how Brexit could possibly advance Spain's claim on Gibraltar, except if the people of Gibraltar decided they wanted to stay in the EU so much they'd become part of Spain, which isn't going to happen.

Non story. The only likely outcome will be the UK having to spend more money on supporting Gibraltar if it ends up being cut off from Spain.

We should probably be far more worried about the likely war over fishing rights...

OK so the nice EU & our chums in Spain didn't mean to put that clause in, it was just a joke.

[darmstadt]

Why is this even a story? All 27 EU countries have a veto over whatever deal we have, and that will include Gibralter. Nobody's getting upset about Slovakia's veto, and equally nowhere in this announcement from the EU does it say anything about Gibralter's sovereignty. The only story here is how easily nationalists get wound up about things.

OK so the nice EU & our chums in Spain didn't mean to put that clause in, it was just a joke.

There was a good article about it in the FT but he crux is:

It's worth noting at this point that the line about Gibraltar has no legal force. It hands Spain a veto over the terms of a future trade deal, a right which it has already as an EU member. It does not and cannot change the legal rights and obligations concerning the Rock. It's a diplomatic victory for Madrid but it shouldn't be taken for anything more than a bit of tummy-tickling for Spain's domestic audience, rather like May's preamble about the referendum victory in her letter to Donald Tusk was written with one eye to her domestic audience.

When you ignore the noise, what's actually happened so far in the Brexit talks is this: two reasonable letters have been sent. A former Conservative leader has embarrassed himself on television. There is still wriggle room for a deal where Britain pays through the nose for the access it needs. That's about it.

But these minor squalls have two consequences for Britain's chances of a good Brexit deal. The first is in sapping diplomatic goodwill among the EU27. The second is in increasing the political risk here at home to Theresa May in striking a deal involving large and continuing payments to the European Union.

[AtW]

the problem is that Spain want to make a thing of it and the EU is backing them, not because its right but because Spain want to remain a member.

No, the problem is that the UK wants to Brexit...

[shaunbhoy]

Self-determination is fine. Jersey know it would be financial suicide to go it alone. The Scots haven't realised that yet.

55% of them had the last time they were asked.

HTH

[diseasex]

No, the problem is that the UK wants to Brexit...

what is absolute DISGRACE is that remainers are not protesting on streets against these lunatics in power and brexit

[BrilloPad]

what is absolute DISGRACE is that remainers are not protesting on streets against these lunatics in power and brexit

Indeed. Disgraceful that a democratic vote has been listened too. There should have been further referendums until the RIGHT vote was obtained.

[diseasex]

Indeed. Disgraceful that a democratic vote has been listened too. There should have been further referendums until the RIGHT vote was obtained.

Everything was wrong about this "democratic" vote, lies, false promises etc. And no you didn't have 52%, but 37%