UK Defence Forum

Could we lose Gibraltar?

https://amp.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... ssion=true

We could - if you believe the anti-Brexit, EU-loving Guardian.
Gibraltar was ceded to Great Britain in perpetuity (forever!) under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, some 307 years ago.

Apologies - I probably should have posted the Guardian article in the Politics - Gibraltar section. Mods feel free to move.

Gibraltar will remain a BoT for so long as the people of Gibraltar wish, Brexit doesn't change that.

Well, I remember the days when entry to Gib by land meant first taking a ferry to Morocco... and then another one back. Still did not change a thing, except that the folks who used to cross from Spain daily lost their jobs.

As the article says " some shadow boxing for a bit" of a warmup, not just to the start of the negotiations in March, but even more so to May, when the Catalunia negotiations that have been frozen until May elections will start
- pledges by the central gvmnt for "national" unity so that they can create some slack for agreeing an arrangement with the Catalonians on the lines that will keep them in the family. The autonomy for the Basques is stronger than what has been allowed for the much bigger province, so I can see 'the' direction of travel

ArmChairCivvy wrote:Well, I remember the days when entry to Gib by land meant first taking a ferry to Morocco... and then another one back. Still did not change a thing, except that the folks who used to cross from Spain daily lost their jobs.

Having the border shut is one mistake the Spanish government wont repeat . They may place intermittent restrictions for political leverage and there internal politics. The Spanish workers in the 1960s predominately worked in the dockyard and labouring jobs which were filled by employing Moroccans some living in casements . Now the jobs are more to finantualy and five times the 1960s numbers so the pain for campo area would be acute.This would be a major political internal problem for Spanish government. Which it was not for Franco's dictatorship. On a personal note if the do shut the border i don't expect Harry Duncan to be sat on the top of the gate house as 1985 when it opens again. He will be in his sixtys..

(Forces TV) 3rd March 2020

The Royal Navy’s Gibraltar Squadron keeps watch over the British territory's coastline, as well as escorting visiting ships and submarines. Its role has recently become more important than ever, with Brexit reigniting Spain's claim on the territory. We've been to the territory to find out more.

(Forces TV) 10th March 2020

Gibraltar is just 2.6 square miles in size - yet all three military services have a presence there in the form of the British Army's Royal Gibraltar Regiment, RAF Gibraltar and the Royal Navy's Gibraltar Squadron. We've visited the British Overseas Territory to meet the military personnel based there and find out what makes serving there so unique.

(Forces News) 31st March 2021

Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Trent has left Portsmouth for lengthy deployment.

She will be the very first Royal Navy vessel to be permanently based in Gibraltar, from where she will support NATO operations in the Mediterranean Sea.

Not sure where to post this, and not sure if it’s been posted previously, but interesting procurement of eighteen 14-15m versions of the MST RN ships for Gibraltar, this time for the MOD Police for U.K. and Gib patrols.

https://maritime-executive.com/corporat ... ith-uk-mod