Anyone give a toss about Gibraltar's future?
Discussion
Speed 3 said:
Prepared for incoming but what exactly is the issue with Gibraltar and why are the UK or the Spanish so wound up about it. The days of strategic naval importance are centuries ago so why would anyone be that fussed about it now ? Their residents must rely almost entirely on the nearest mainland for their day to day existance so why all the angst ?
(I'm a republican BTW so don't give a toss about loyalty to archaic heads of state)
There are people there who are more British than half of London. Isn't that a good enough reason?(I'm a republican BTW so don't give a toss about loyalty to archaic heads of state)
s2art said:
Fittster said:
s2art said:
Fittster said:
We happily gave away Hong Kong, I see no reason why we must hold Gibraltar at all costs.
What costs are you referring to?And I don't care that Spain has a few bits of Africa.
Or was it more a case of:
" Thatcher later said that Deng told her bluntly that China could easily take Hong Kong by force, stating that "I could walk in and take the whole lot this afternoon", to which she replied that "there is nothing I could do to stop you, but the eyes of the world would now know what China is like"
So basically Spain needs to man up militarily and then it's theres.
sherbertdip said:
s2art said:
Fittster said:
s2art said:
Fittster said:
We happily gave away Hong Kong, I see no reason why we must hold Gibraltar at all costs.
What costs are you referring to?And I don't care that Spain has a few bits of Africa.
Most of Hong Kong was leased. The island of Hong Kong and Kowloon were ceded in perpetuity but given to China when the lease ran out on the rest of it.
Where that leaves Gibraltar I wouldn't like to say. Sadly if they wish to remain in the EU they might have to accept Spanish control.
In the same way that NI might have to become part of the Republic. Perhaps the Scots, the Cornish and the Welsh could follow suit.
I am sure lots of people would be happy to watch them go.
Where that leaves Gibraltar I wouldn't like to say. Sadly if they wish to remain in the EU they might have to accept Spanish control.
In the same way that NI might have to become part of the Republic. Perhaps the Scots, the Cornish and the Welsh could follow suit.
I am sure lots of people would be happy to watch them go.
Fittster said:
Pupp said:
That just confirms only a chunk of Hong Kong was leased for 99 years. A lot was the UK's in perpetuity (or until had an army strong enough that we really couldn't do anything about it).
EnglishTony said:
Most of Hong Kong was leased. The island of Hong Kong and Kowloon were ceded in perpetuity but given to China when the lease ran out on the rest of it.
Where that leaves Gibraltar I wouldn't like to say. Sadly if they wish to remain in the EU they might have to accept Spanish control.
In the same way that NI might have to become part of the Republic. Perhaps the Scots, the Cornish and the Welsh could follow suit.
I am sure lots of people would be happy to watch them go.
Not sure I would be, we are supposed to be the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland plus other bits of rock.Where that leaves Gibraltar I wouldn't like to say. Sadly if they wish to remain in the EU they might have to accept Spanish control.
In the same way that NI might have to become part of the Republic. Perhaps the Scots, the Cornish and the Welsh could follow suit.
I am sure lots of people would be happy to watch them go.
Problem is, once you start banging the sovereignty drum and being able to 'take back our country', you can't really argue with the Scottish nationalists for example.
confused_buyer said:
Has anyone here been to Gib?
The distrust of the Spanish is huge and runs very deep.
I hope they don't have to choose but given a choice between principle & a closed border and poverty or becoming Spsnish it is pretty obvious which way they'll go. They've done it before.
Damn right. The distrust of the Spanish is huge and runs very deep.
I hope they don't have to choose but given a choice between principle & a closed border and poverty or becoming Spsnish it is pretty obvious which way they'll go. They've done it before.
I spend a few months a year there and they're fiercely patriotic and proud of being British - something a few people on this thread certainly aren't.
They're British subjects, they're loyal, they want to be British - and that's all that matters. Same goes for the Falklands islanders.
Just because they're on some outcrop a long way off doesn't give people the right to dismiss them out of hand.
As to the Gibraltarians needing the mainland - I think you'll find it's the other way round. Their benefit to the surrounding regions is enormous.
vonuber said:
Problem is, once you start banging the sovereignty drum and being able to 'take back our country', you can't really argue with the Scottish nationalists for example.
Why would I want to? If Scotland genuinely votes to return to being an independent state then, with sadness, I shall wish them well. If they then choose to petition for membership of the EU, then our trading and migration position will be determined by EU rules.Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff