John Culatto
THE rise of the hard right in Spain with Brexit looming will not weaken the resolve of Gibraltar to decide its own future.
This strength will be celebrated at National Day on September 10, Self Determination for Gibraltar Group (SDGG) chairman Richard Buttigieg told the Olive Press.
“I do not consider that the rise of Vox in Spain weakens any of the arguments that Gibraltar has now been making from many years in relation to our status and future,” he said.
“Vox has come out with loud rhetoric but that does not change the reality of our situation.”
Vox is in coalition with the PP party in the Andalucian parliament. It has repeatedly called for the frontier to be closed if Gibraltar isn’t returned to Spain.
“Whilst the principle of territorial integrity is important and must be respected,” he continued, “the right to self-determination of a people must, in my view, prevail.
“Moreover, the Spanish arguments based on territorial integrity are outdated and misconceived so no matter how loudly Vox shouts, they are still wrong.”
He said that because of these challenges ‘the mood during National Day and the days leading up to it, will be one of ‘unity and strength’.
“We must face our future with resilience and tenacity,” Buttigieg affirmed.
“These are the very traits that our forefathers had to rely on to overcome what were extremely difficult years during the frontier closure of 1969.”
He admitted that Gibraltar ‘should expect some difficulties’ in a no-deal Brexit.
“That is not to say, however, that we must face our future with doom and gloom,” he said. “The Gibraltarian is resourceful and hard working and the small size of jurisdiction allows us to be nimble and adapt quicker than most.
“Working together, I am sure we can find ways of making a success of our future no matter what it holds.
“But as far as we are concerned, our resolve will not weaken an iota no matter the pressure that we may face as a result of Brexit,” he added.
