Oct 27 - Government’s Approach To Brexit “Must Be Measured, Multi-faceted And Nuanced”
The Government has said that it considers the Opposition’s call for a Brexit strategy that is ‘as simple as possible’ to be “so one-dimensional that it is unhelpful to Gibraltar’s cause”.
A statement continued: “Gibraltar’s approach to the extremely complex situation in which we find ourselves must be multi-faceted and comprehensive in order to reach the best possible outcome for the future. Furthermore, the only constructive suggestions for a Brexit strategy that have been offered by the Opposition are for policies and approaches that the Government is already pursuing!
“Following the Opposition’s tenuous and unfounded implications to the contrary, the Government feels it necessary to clarify that the Chief Minister has not called for a second referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU. Despite that 96% of Gibraltarian voters voted to remain in Europe, the democratic decision of the British people must be respected, and the democratic result of the 23rd June referendum cannot be undone. However, considering that the terms of a Brexit are still unknown, it could be possible to hold a new referendum on the deal that Britain is able to negotiate for Brexit and its future relationship with the EU.
“HMGoG is absolutely committed to ensuring that the democratic decisions and rights of the people of British Gibraltar are also respected. The Government has been working tirelessly to ensure that Gibraltar’s voice is heard and the Gibraltar position is understood amongst key decision-makers. This commitment is reflected in the appointment of the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Joseph Garcia, as Minister for Brexit: a completely new portfolio. Indeed, Brexit poses an unprecedented challenge not just for Britain but for the whole of Europe, and Gibraltar’s response in reaching for a solution must be measured and nuanced.
“It is tactless, insensitive and unseemly for the Opposition to try to undermine these efforts as ‘whimsical schemes’. Whenever the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and other representatives of the Government travel for meetings and conferences, host them at home or put forward the Gibraltar position on Brexit in the local and international media, the Government sends a very strong and very serious message about the democratically expressed wishes and rights of the people of Gibraltar as to what our future to look like.
“There are uncertain, challenging and extremely important times ahead. Whilst Gibraltar’s overwhelming vote to remain gives us a very strong mandate to make our case for our involvement in any negotiations that Britain undertakes, it also brought the eyes and scrutiny of the international media upon us. The Government is committed to continue to work tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcome from this extremely complex situation for Gibraltar; it is about time that the Opposition take this seriously and stop attempting to undermine these efforts.”
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