Oct 17 - GSD Urges “Realism” Over Gibraltar’s Brexit Future
The GSD notes that Karel Lannoo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for European Studies, has said: “The views of the Chief Minister were rather utopian, and ... either the UK would keep the four freedoms, or Gibraltar would suffer the consequences.”
Mr Lannoo expressed this view following the Chief Minister’s address in Brussels at the public event organised by the consultancy APCO, at which the Chief Minister argued for Gibraltar to be allowed to have a special arrangement within the EU in the BREXIT treaty.
A statement from the party continued: “The GSD considers that the time has come to understand and face realities within the uncertainty that exists today. One such reality is that Gibraltar is in for the BREXIT ride with the UK. Any “Master Plan” that the Government comes up with must be developed with this in mind. The Government should direct its efforts at working hand in hand with the UK Government to achieve the best outcomes for Gibraltar and not pursue separatist agendas that are discarded by both the UK and the EU.
“The reverse Greenland model which the Chief Minister spent a considerable amount of time talking about is a case in point. It never had any chance of success, but it appeared to be motivated more by the photographs it generated, rather than any sense of realism. Clear thinking is all the more necessary given the huge levels of public spending and debt we have been saddled with over the last few years.
“The uncertainties following BREXIT are huge today but, as issues develop and become more certain, the Government must react in the best interests of Gibraltar. The Opposition continue to offer their support in this endeavour to the extent that the Government permits them to do so in pursuit of the Government’s stated aim of achieving unity.”
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