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The Gibraltar sovereignty referendum of 1967 was held on September 10th, 1967, in which Gibraltarian citizens were asked whether they wished to pass under Spanish sovereignty, with Gibraltarians keeping their British citizenship and a special status for Gibraltar within Spain; or remain under British sovereignty, with institutions of self-government.
Contents
Overview
Upon the request of resolution 2070 of the United Nations General Assembly (approved on December 16th, 1965), in 1966 the governments of Spain and the United Kingdom started formal talks on Gibraltar. On May 18th 1966, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fernando Castiella made a formal proposal to the UK Government comprising three clauses:
- The cancellation of the Treaty of Utrecht and the subsequent return of Gibraltar to Spain.
- The presence of the British in the Royal Navy base in Gibraltar, its use being subject to a specific Anglo-Spanish agreement.
- A "Personal Statute" for Gibraltarians, under United Nations guarantee, protecting their cultural, social and economic interest in Gibraltar or anywhere else in Spain, including their British nationality. "(An) appropriate [..] administrative formula" should also be agreed on.
The Spanish proposal was made by the Spanish government while the Francoist regime was in power, which did not allow its own citizens the civil liberties that the British government guaranteed to the Gibraltarians. Furthermore, the Spanish economy, though steadily growing, was weaker than the British, and working-class people across the frontier were living in a state of great poverty.
The options presented to Gibraltarians were:
- To pass under Spanish sovereignty in accordance with the terms proposed by the Spanish Government; or
- Retain their link with Britain, with democratic local institutions. Britain retaining its present responsibilities.
Aftermath
A new constitution was passed in 1969. Gibraltar National Day has been celebrated annually on September 10th since 1992 to commemorate Gibraltar's first sovereignty referendum of 1967.
In 1969 the Francoist regime closed the border between Spain and Gibraltar, cutting off all contacts and severely restricting movement. The border was not fully reopened until February 1985, ten years after Franco's death.