Jan 18 - GSD Reacts To May’s Brexit Speech
The GSD says it welcomes the announcement in the speech by Theresa May that the UK Government will place any Brexit deal it negotiates with the European Union to a vote in the British Parliament. The Opposition says that it is, however, clear from that speech that the U.K. will not sacrifice the ability to restrict free movement of people in return for access to the Single Market.
A statement continued: “This has important implications for the border with Spain. In this context, the GSD notes the recent written submissions made by the Gibraltar Government to the House of Lords that ‘a proper free flowing frontier for day/cross border workers and tourists is an essential’. In a hard or harder Brexit situation, it makes it much easier for Spain to use the border as a significant pressure point. In the unfolding scenario it is imperative that the U.K. Government does everything that it can to ensure that any Brexit deal includes an acceptable agreement with the European Union in respect of the border with Spain as it appears Mrs May is prepared to do with Northern Ireland.
“The GSD has been pro-active in making its own submissions to the House Lords in which (amongst other things) repeats its longstanding position that Gibraltar should concentrate on (a) protecting and enhancing our continued access to the U.K. market (b) ensuring we are included in any deal the U.K. negotiates with the European Union and third countries, and (c) ensuring the U.K. concludes a satisfactory agreement with the European Union on the border with Spain.”
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