Gibraltar - what should we do with it?

[Immortal Wombat]

Referendum, but the people want Britain anyway...

IMO, Blair is being an idiot over this one. Do we need to secede Gibraltar to form closer relationships?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by SpencerH
No, the land that Hong Kong was built on was leased. Gibralter isnt.

Not quite.

After the First Opium War (in 1841 IIRC) Hong Kong Island was ceded to the British. After the Second Opium War the Kowloon Penisula was ceded to the British. Only the part known as the New Territories was leased for 99 years.

When the lease was about to expire in the late 1980's the British Government went to China for an extension (teehee). Thatcher almost tripped over outside The People's Hall, and the rest was history.

[David James]

You know the amazing thing about Gibraltar is that most of the people wish the colony to remain British even though most of the people are not ethnically British. True, a lot are British but there are also a lot of Spaniards and Genoese. What does that tell you when a large group of Spaniards living in a British territory don't want to become part of Spain?

Besides, maybe Spain should consider giving up Ceuta on the Morrocan coast and its other North African territories before it goes about trying to acquire Gibraltar.

[The Vagabond]

Just give Gibraltar back to Spain, you hijos de Gran Bretaña.

[DanS]

Referendum! The alternative is to hold the next Survivor episode there and let the jury decide.

[KrazyHorse]

Re: Re: jajaja

Originally posted by SlowwHand
Package a deal with Guam.
Pal's get Gibralter, Israel gets Guam.

Too close together. Might be problems.

[Alfonsus71]

Originally posted by David James
What does that tell you when a large group of Spaniards living in a British territory don't want to become part of Spain?

Will citizens from Isle of Man or Isle of Jersey vote for becoming part of the regular british fiscal system???
Wake up, boys! It´s all a matter of taxation.

[Dis]

I hope this answer hasn't been said.

But the obvious solutions to the mid east peace crisis is to move all the Israelis out of Israel and put them in Gibralter.

[Mr. President]

It's like Puerto Rico. There're probably more benefits for Gibraltar as a British colony than as a part of Spain or even as a full part of Britain.

[Alfonsus71]

Originally posted by Mr. President
It's like Puerto Rico. There're probably more benefits for Gibraltar as a British colony than as a part of Spain or even as a full part of Britain.

That´s the point, llanitos (gibraltar inhabitants) want independence to become a full "fiscal paradise", and that´s what we, spanish, should avoid, cause that would be bad for all the towns sourronding Gibraltar (as will boost up ilegal activities, mobs and contraband).
The rock has no other value than as a base for ilegal activities, so I don´t care if it´s british or spanish, I just want that activities to cease (or at least not to increase). Probably the best solution could be (sorry if this sounds a little hard) that the rock sunks.

[Tolls]

Definitely a referendum, but with the British option including a clause stating that Gibraltar's tax status will be brought in line with mainland UK...

Then at least we would have an interesting referendum...I mean, who in their right mind would opt to turn over their tax haven and be brought into a normal tax regime?

A referendum without that would be distinctly biased.

[Estilpón]

but the status of the rock isn't possible maintain... if the benefits of territory depends of a illegal activities or competition tax rates... changes the political status is a priority for Spain.

UK also wants change this because the rock is a "patata caliente" (colloquial spanish expression for "a trouble")

[Dis]

what if we have a war where Europe battles Africa. I think the territory should be in competant hands. i.e the U.S.A

[C0ckney]

The people don't want to be Spanish, we have NO OBLIGATION AT ALL to give it back, it really is as simple as that.

[Tolls]

"The people don't want to be Spanish, we have NO OBLIGATION AT ALL to give it back, it really is as simple as that."

But the point is, do they not want to be Spanish because of the tax perks they currently seem to have?