Oct 26 - GSD Says The Best Strategy For Brexit Is To Keep Things Simple

Reflecting on the various comments made by Theresa May over the weekend regarding Brexit, the GSD said that the best strategy for Gibraltar is to keep things as simple as possible.

The statement by Prime Minister May that her priority in the negotiations will be to obtain "maximum possible access to the Single Market" is to be welcomed.

From the GSD's perspective, they said the Government must make sure that they are speaking to the right people and doing everything that they can in order to ensure we are also included in that potential deal.

This is particularly so given the comments from the British Government that the devolved administrations cannot expect to negotiate different or separate deals with the European Union.

GSD European spokesman, Trevor Hammond said: "The best strategy is inevitably the least complex, though that is not to say it would be easy to achieve. What Gibraltar needs is continued access to the UK market, access to the European Single Market and ideally, an assurance that we will be included in any future global trade deals agreed by the United Kingdom.

"We must also strive for continued free movement across our frontier. We need to set our stall out and focus on achieving these aspirations without muddying the waters and potentially losing friends in Westminster by pursuing whimsical schemes which the British Government clearly has no interest in following.

"It has been said repeatedly by the Prime Minister that there will be no second referendum and any calls for a second referendum from Gibraltar or criticisms of Brexiteers simply risks alienating the very people whose support we need to ensure we are not excluded from any deal reached by the UK with the EU."

{fcomment}