Commons hears motion on Bill for Gibraltar MP

There is a "very clear argument now" to allow the people of Gibraltar direct representation by having their own elected member of the House of Commons, a Tory MP said yesterday.

In presenting his motion under the 10-minute rule, Craig Mackinlay insisted the proposal would not change the Rock’s “devo-max” constitutional settlement of 2006, nor would it impose a Westminster MP upon Gibraltar.

“Of course we will always respect the devolution of powers that is in place and having a Gibraltar MP in this House should not be an impediment to their own future constitutional development,” he said.

“The 2006 Constitution of Gibraltar is a tribute to the fact that they have a vibrant and responsible democratic system of government.”

“That is why this Bill would not change the devo-max settlement of their own 2006 Constitution and if taken further, it would not impose a Westminster MP upon Gibraltar.”

The decision as to whether there will be an MP for Gibraltar in Westminster, Mr Mackinlay said, “must be made by Gibraltarians, and decided by their own internal procedures.”

Mr Mackinlay’s Representation Of The People (Gibraltar) Bill passed the first stage of the parliamentary process and was listed for a second reading on October 26.

In practice, however, it will be difficult for the Bill to prosper, not least because of the pressures on parliamentary time in a Commons diary dominated by Brexit and UK-focused legislative initiatives.

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