Sep 08 - Hassan-Nahon Defends Her Stance On Integration Following Criticism From The GSD

Independent Opposition member Marlene Hassan-Nahon says the GSD has criticised her views on the integration ideas put forward by GSD Leader Danny Feetham as ‘undemocratic’ simply because they clash with his views.

She goes on to say: "In response to the GSD’s reply to my statement last week, I would like to reiterate my position that I would have grave reservations with the option of Integration with Britain that has been touted as a possible solution for a post-Brexit Gibraltar.

"In my view, such a move would represent a worrying erosion of our Gibraltarian identity and culture, particularly as, at this stage, it would be careless to speculate on the conditions of self-government, if any, that the British government would impose on us in the unlikely event of them being in favour of such a settlement.

"If integration was not considered right for Gibraltar forty years ago, it would be even less so today given the significant constitutional progress we have made as a nation since then and therefore while I understand the legitimate concerns about accessing vital markets following the result of the EU referendum, I would be more interested in pursuing an option that reflects more confidence in our rights as Gibraltarians to access these interests without compromising our identity. This will naturally be challenging, but we will fight this fight with right on our side, as indeed recent international judgments have recognised.

"It is encouraging that the Government has stated its agreement with the arguments I have put forward, and this is a measure of how we should see this next step as far more than being backed into a corner and forced to choose between integration and a joint sovereignty arrangement with our Spanish neighbours.

"I am looking forward to listening to the ideas that will gradually be presented as the post-Brexit haze starts to clear over these next few months, while also actively contributing to the debate and always remaining true to my convictions, and with what I feel are Gibraltar’s best interests in mind."

{fcomment}