Topical Questions

The Government Minister, Anneliese Dodds, began by expressing the Government's awareness of the recent increase in border checks by Spanish authorities at the Gibraltar-Spain frontier. She explained that this change in process, which involved stamping the passports of non-EU nationals, went against the informal bridging measures in place since the UK's exit from the EU. The Minister stated that the UK Government had raised this issue with their Spanish counterparts, including at the ministerial level, and were in close contact with the Government of Gibraltar to monitor the situation. In response, the Shadow Minister, Andrew Mitchell, expressed alarm at the reports of the increased border checks, stating that there should be no need for such checks between Spain and Gibraltar. He called for clarity on the support provided to Gibraltar by the Government and the discussions held between the Foreign Secretary and his Spanish counterpart. The Shadow Minister reiterated the Conservative Party's unwavering commitment to Gibraltar's sovereignty and the right of self-determination for the Gibraltarian people. The subsequent debate saw a range of views expressed by Members from across the House. Some Conservative MPs, such as Andrew Rosindell and Mark Francois, accused the Government of appeasement and suggested a link between the recent agreement on the Chagos Islands and the actions of the Spanish authorities. They urged the Government to stand firm in defending Gibraltar's sovereignty. In contrast, Labour and Liberal Democrat members, including Patricia Ferguson and James MacCleary, expressed their full support for the people of Gibraltar and their right to self-determination, while calling for a cooperative and pragmatic approach to the ongoing negotiations. The Minister reiterated the Government's steadfast commitment to Gibraltar's sovereignty and the double lock that ensures the people of Gibraltar cannot be placed under the sovereignty of another state against their wishes. She emphasized the importance of the ongoing negotiations with the EU to secure a treaty that protects Gibraltar's interests and prosperity, while stressing that the Government will only agree to terms that the Government of Gibraltar is content with. Throughout the debate, there was a clear consensus across the House on the need to support the people of Gibraltar and their right to self-determination. The Government's position was to remain focused on the interests of Gibraltarians and to continue working towards a negotiated settlement with the EU that secures Gibraltar's future.