Foreign Secretary David Lammy has arrived in Gibraltar as talks over a post-Brexit agreement with Spain reach a crucial phase. Gibraltar negotiations heat up amid concerns over sovereignty, border controls, and economic stability. The British Overseas Territory’s future remains uncertain since Brexit, with Spain continuing to challenge UK control.
Moreover, gibraltar, home to a key RAF base, sits at the Mediterranean’s entrance. Its strategic importance has long fueled tensions between Britain and Spain. Since Brexit, temporary arrangements have governed cross-border movement, but a permanent solution remains elusive. Gibraltar negotiations heat up as the EU’s new entry-exit system looms, set for October after multiple delays.
Lammy met Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo to discuss progress. A government spokesperson confirmed both sides aim to finalize a deal soon. The last foreign secretary to visit was Dominic Raab in 2021, making Lammy’s trip significant. Reports suggest an announcement could come imminently, possibly in Brussels.
Spain disputes British sovereignty over Gibraltar, captured in 1704. Post-Brexit, Madrid pushed for greater control over immigration and border checks. Initial EU proposals in 2021 demanded Spanish oversight of non-Schengen entry into Gibraltar, but the UK and Gibraltar resisted. Revised terms are now under discussion.
Any agreement will face scrutiny from eurosceptics in Reform and the Conservative Party. Critics already oppose Labour’s EU “reset” and the Chagos Islands handover. Lammy has pledged no deal will proceed without Gibraltar’s approval. Last year, he vowed to support the territory in “all eventualities.”
The EU recently removed Gibraltar from its money laundering “high-risk” list, signaling progress. A deal now could coincide with the UK’s spending review, adding political weight. However, failure risks disruption when the EU’s new border system takes effect.
With Gibraltar negotiations heating up, the coming days could determine the territory’s long-term status. Lammy’s visit underscores the urgency, but compromises will be contentious. Will both sides find common ground, or will sovereignty disputes derail progress? The world watches closely.
For more political updates, visit London Pulse News.
