Gibraltar-Spain Border Checks

Debate between Gregor Poynton and Anneliese Dodds

Monday 14th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Anneliese Dodds]

I really regret this playground-style characterisation of issues that are so fundamental, particularly for those who live in Gibraltar. I mentioned the comments of the Chief Minister of the Falklands, and the right hon. Member has now forced me to quote them, given the nature of what he has just said. The Chief Minister said some of these claims are

“more about party politics, blame-gaming and Tory Party leadership issues…than”

they are actually about the sovereignty of people who live in the overseas territories. He could not have been clearer.

[Gregor Poynton (Livingston) (Lab)]

Does the Minister agree that the actions we have seen over the last few days risk damaging the regional economy in Spain as much as they do in Gibraltar, and therefore all sides must work together to avoid a recurrence of that?

[Anneliese Dodds]

I strongly agree. There is of course substantial and regular traffic of goods and people across the border. That is fundamental not only for the economy of Gibraltar, but of course for Andalusia, Spain and the entire region more broadly, so it is really important that that is borne in mind as well as the sovereignty issues.