PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
GIBRALTAR (18 November 2002)

That this House recognises the inalienable right of all UK overseas territories to self-determination, namely the right freely and democratically to decide their own political future without external interference or duress; stresses that this principle applied equally to those territories, namely Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands, which are the subject to territorial claims by third countries; notes that in a recent referendum of the people of Gibraltar, 87.9 per cent. of the electorate voted and that 98.97 per cent. of those voting resolutely rejected any claims by Spain for sovereignty or shared sovereignty; calls upon Her Majesty's Government to take note of the overwhelming view of the people of Gibraltar; urges Her Majesty's Government not to enter into any political agreements with Spain in relation to the principles affecting the sovereignty of Gibraltar and the political rights of the people of Gibraltar against their wishes and consent; and furthermore joins the chief ministers of the Overseas Territories Consultative Council in expressing solidarity with, and support for, the people of Gibraltar in the defence of their political rights and aspirations.

Sponsored by:
John Austin (Labour)