Gibraltar Votes to Remain Part of Britain Instead of Becoming Part of Spain (1967)
On September 10, 1967, the people of Gibraltar voted to remain a British dependency rather than becoming part of Spain.
In 1954, England’s Queen Elizabeth II traveled to Gibraltar to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Gibraltar’s capture by England from Spain. Shortly thereafter, Spain’s dictator, Francisco Franco, reclaimed Spain’s sovereign rule over Gibraltar. This led to hostilities between Gibraltar and Spain.
On September 10, 1967, Gibraltar held its first sovereignty referendum where Gibraltar’s voters were asked whether they wished fall under Spanish sovereignty or remain under British sovereignty with self-government. Gibraltarian voted overwhelmingly in favor of remaining under British sovereignty, with over 12,000 votes for versus a mere 44 against.
In 1969, Gibraltar was granted autonomy and Spain strongly opposed it. As such, Spain completely closed its border with Gibraltar and severed nearly all communications. However, over time, these restrictions were eventually reduced. For example, in 1982, Spain partially reopened its border with Gibraltar. And in 1985, Spain fully reopened its border with Gibraltar prior to entering talks about creating the European Union.
In 2002, Gibraltarians overwhelming rejected another referendum – this time to grant joint sovereignty to Spain and the UK. In short, Gibraltar voters reaffirmed their independence, even though Spain and the UK did not recognize this referendum.
In 2006, representatives of Gibraltar, Spain, and the UK concluded negotiations on many important issues affecting Gibraltar. For example, they agreed to reduce restrictions on auto traffic flow and airport flights. They also granted settlements and pensions to certain Spanish workers who lost their jobs and changed telephone codes for better communication. In 2006, Gibraltar also enacted its modern constitution.
Today, Gibraltar has almost complete democratic control with its own elected parliament. The Queen of England acts as the head of State for Gibraltar with its approximate 31,000 inhabitants. And the British Government states that it will not enter negotiations with Spain on the sovereignty of Gibraltar without Gibraltar’s consent.
Gibraltar, located toward the southwest tip of Spain between the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, lies just across of the Strait of Gibraltar from Morocco, Africa. And the nearly 1,400 foot, Rock of Gibraltar, continues to stand out as the main symbol of Gibraltar, often simply referred to as “the Rock.”