Conservative Party Conference: Gibraltar and Brexit

Hon. Fabian Picardo MP, Chief Minister of Gibraltar has just spoken at the Conservative Party Conference.

His key messages were:

The fundamental issue is the rule of law. It underpins everything.

People in the UK and Gibraltar will be looking to Westminster to see that the rule of law is delivered in the context of the Repeal Bill. We must not take for granted the principles of the rule of law. 

The bond between the UK and Gibraltar is stronger than any bond Gibraltar might have enjoyed with the EU.

In 2013, when tensions with Spain caused blocks at the border, David Cameron contacted the European Commission on Gibraltar's behalf and the issue was eased. We can deal with just about every aspect of Brexit if we are energetic in delivering the businesses opportunities, but if we find ourselves in a position like 2013, and can't go to the European Commission, what can we do to ease issues at the border?

There has been some change in stance from Spain, but we must see that approach prevail and be entrenched.

There are 40 relevant parliaments to any Brexit deal. Not least if which are Westminster but also the Government of Gibraltar.

David Davis has given assurance that he will not do a deal that doesn't take Gibraltar into account, but in political you have to plan for the worst.

There is a failure of understanding of the facts about Gibraltar in Spain, with inaccurate statistics about numbers of companies being used to suggest that Gibraltar is a tax haven.

We can't be a tax haven by any measure, including those used by the EU and OECD. The only EU member state where we don't have an agreement on exchange of tax information is Spain, to whom we have offered one.

There is a move towards tax harmonisation in the EU, which goes away for us with Brexit. The State Aid rules have become over burdensome, and Brexit does open some opportunities to be more flexible.

Gibraltar voted 96% to remain, but that might be different now, having seen how ready the European Commission was to accept proposals as to the position of Gibraltar in the Brexit negotiations.

There would probably be support in all Overseas Territories if the UK gave them representation in Westminster, in the House of Lords say. This would be not just a political but also an emotionally supportive message to the Overseas Territories, as we are all full British citizens.

Without know what the UK transition period will be, nothing should prevent the transition period for Gibraltar to be at least the same as those for the rest of the UK.

We have invested out past, out present and our future in the Union Jack.