Carmen Gomez

Take what’s ours while we still can

Mark Twain once said that “There was but one solitary thing about the past worth remembering and that was the fact that it is past and can’t be restored.” This is something we would like Spanish citizens, but more so its politicians, to think about for a while, digest, and then come to the conclusion, that in the same way that they can’t change many things about their country because they are part of their culture; likewise, they can’t possibly change our ways, because that too is part of our culture. Read more

We really have little choice

It was in 2011, that the then Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister said that Spain could not stop the arrival of submarines in Gibraltar, but that Britain as a partner and ally, could adopt a more constructive and cooperative attitude. Spain, a country that has never worried at paralyzing the community to protect her position over Gibraltar on air liberalization; external frontiers control etc; argued what right we had to export bilateral problems to a multilateral organization such as NATO, where decisions had to be taken unanimously; this after they themselves had brought the proceedings on maritime and air routes to and from Gibraltar.  Read more

What Sanchez is hoping for

From Carmen Gomez Diary

Once the UK is out of the way, Pedro Sanchez hopes that the EU will swing behind its 300 years old claim to recover sovereignty over the Rock. But his particular flirting with foreign policy has left those in Brussels uneasy. His last minute daredevilry, regarded by all as domestic political policy, should not in their view, have put into jeopardy a 3 hour choreographed morning; they were not impressed.  Read more

For once and for all; Will you or will you not?

When Shakespeare wrote “All the World’s a stage and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances and one man in his time plays many parts.” He was talking about life’s cycle; the reality of life; lines not dissimilar to the world of politics and politicians. Ordinary men and women; some not so ordinary, and indeed on rare occasions, “extraordinary” human beings who have captured our imagination.  Read more

How Spain could easily renege on any accord with Gibraltar

As the days go by, it looks like Brexit; with its reassurance from the UK in words at least for now; plus the role being played by our Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister who have come in for much praise from those in high places for their astute and intelligent handling of brexit matters; something which we take pride in; it looks like we are moving in a very positive direction. The desired factor now, for a tailor made relationship with the EU.  Read more

Tree of the year

Carmen Gomez Diary

Sometime back I heard about a competition titled “Tree of the year”. Trees are the most interesting of plants and in Gibraltar we are fortunate to have a varied species of them, not only in the Alameda Gardens itself, but at the Governors residence and dotted around our streets and roads, all of which have great character; either because of their age, or due to the shape of its branches and stunning roots.  Read more

Nations have no permanent friends or allies

By Carmen Gomez

Lord Palmerston once said that “Nations have no permanent friends or allies, they only have permanent interests.” This has never rung true in Whitehall as far as Spain is concerned; but actually it does with Spain, as far as the UK is concerned. Spanish friendships are purely “postizos” and ushered by self interest. Read more

Spain, constantly grabbing at straws

It appears that brexit meetings are still on the go for our Ministers; despite all the ground covered so far. Read more

Answering in parrot fashion without saying anything - Carmen Gomez Diary

I have often noted that in the House of Lords, when questions are asked about Gibraltar, (without any wish to cause insult) it might as well be anyone sat there, answering in parrot fashion, without actually saying anything! Whether it be about the queues, or about the incursions, or about the single skies; it doesn’t matter what.  Read more

The airport terminal - Carmen Gomez Diary

When millions of pounds were spent on the gigantic space that today the Gibraltar airport terminal occupies, the reason for this given was because the Spaniards; something not all of us were happy with; were going to dedicate the same area or similar, on their side, to build a link for their use. Read more