La Linea sees uncertainty lingering on - as Madrid remains stuck in the past

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 Tuesday, October 1, 2019 - 09:32
La Linea sees uncertainty lingering on - as Madrid remains stuck in the past

With one month to go to Brexit, the mayor of La Linea Juan Franco is showing concern about the 'situation of uncertainty' lingering on. And what makes matters worse for them, in his judgement, is that on 31 October Spain will still not have a government.

Thus, any measures to soften any adverse effects fom the UK's exit of the European Union wll not be in black upon white before the end of the year. 

Normally, when the possible effects flowing from Brexit are being aired, all we tend to hear is how such a situation will affect the UK and Gibraltar, as if the rest of the EU will escape unscathed.

Many EU countries are not in the best of economic health and are quite fearful of a declining situation affecting them.

Spain is one of them, because the Spanish economy is not seen as buoyant, in fact when projecting what the future might hold out, it was being said officially that they could not see improvements, but rather a stale situation persisting.

That is why when digesting news and views about Brexit, one should realise that much of what comes out of the UK tends to be party politics - one side trying to knock the other. There is a lack of balance, as what tends to hit the headlines is bad news for Britain!

As regards La Linea and other points north, they should realise that Gibraltar does not want to harm anyone, in fact it has often been said in Gibraltar that the preferred option is for things to remain as they are, as in general terms this should be in the best interests of both sides of the frontier.

But there is a tendency in Spain, in political circles in Madrid, to think they can utilise the coming of Brexit to try and make inroads in their anachronistic claim to Gibraltar's sovereignty.

Some Spanish ministers seem to love the idea of knocking the Rock, without realising that it is Gibraltar's prosperity that provides much wealth not just into our Spanish neighourhood but beyond.

Surely, there is a case for them to be more realistic when they consider Gibraltar. Let them face the facts that they lost the Rock way back in 1704, that they subsequently ceded Gibraltar's sovereignty to Britain 'for ever' - and if they want to knock anyone , it ought to be their leaders of centuries ago!

So surely, the right policy is to adopt policies of this day and age, accepting the reality of the situation, and behaving at all times as good neighbours - that's the message that must be accepted specially in Madrid at all times.

01-10-2019 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR