Gibraltar’s political leaders urge vote for Remain

The leaders of Gibraltar’s three political parties will speak with a single voice tonight in a television broadcast in which they urge the community to vote Remain in Thursday’s referendum.

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, the leader of the GSLP, will appear alongside GSD leader Daniel Feetham and Dr Joseph Garcia, the leader of the Liberal Party.

In the broadcast, to be shown on GBC at 8.30pm, they reflect on the different ways that a UK exit from the EU could impact negatively on the Rock.

And they concur that statements made by Spain’s acting Foreign Minister, José Manuel García-Margallo, highlight the dangers for Gibraltar outside the EU.

“Sr Margallo has done us all the favour of being explicit in explaining why the choice that people make on the 23^rd of June is not just about being in or out of the European Union, it’s about putting Gibraltar at the mercy of Spain,” Mr Picardo will say tonight.

He adds: “Let’s ensure that we don’t give Spain the chance to even have the opportunity to pretend to talk about our sovereignty.”

“I’ve already told Sr Margallo what he can do with his joint sovereignty proposals.”

The GSD’s Mr Feetham will tell viewers that outside the EU, Gibraltar would be in a precarious position as the UK renegotiates its relationship with Europe.

“If the PP says [to the UK], we’ll give you everything that you want but you’ve got to leave Gibraltar out, that places us in a really, really weak position,” Mr Feetham says in the broadcast.

In common with his two political colleagues, the GSD leader is clear that Gibraltar’s sovereignty is not up for discussion.

“Nobody’s going to give up in Gibraltar, nobody’s going to give an inch of our sovereignty,” Mr Feetham says. “But we don’t want to give Spain any hope.”

Dr Garcia reflects on the fact that the EU has acted as a brake on Spain’s excesses and provided “a safety net” for Gibraltar.

“To be part of Europe is fundamental and extremely important to Gibraltar, politically and economically,” Dr Garcia says.

The broadcast, part of the Gibraltar Stronger In Europe campaign, will be shown on GBC at 8.30pm.