Miriam González Durántez, the wife of former deputy prime minister Sir Nick Clegg, has asserted that Gibraltar is Spanish, not British. Her remarks came as she promoted her newly established party, Democracia 21, ahead of Spain’s upcoming general election, reports BritPanorama.
In an appearance on the Spanish current affairs programme En boca de todos, González Durántez was asked directly if Gibraltar was Spanish. She responded affirmatively: “Yes, of course.”
When questioned about whether her husband shared her views, she noted, “We try not to talk about Gibraltar. He will defend his position and I defend mine.” She added, “Women don’t think the same as their husbands; we have minds of our own.”
González Durántez’s party aims to provide an alternative to Spain’s current system, which she described as dominated by the Socialists and the People’s Party.
Historically, Gibraltar was ceded to Britain in 1713, but Spain has continuously asserted its claim to the territory. This British Overseas Territory, with a population of approximately 38,000, is strategically located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, adjacent to Morocco, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea.
Recent developments include the removal of a physical border between Gibraltar and Spain over the summer, a decision that followed Britain’s exit from the EU. This change has facilitated easier movement for the thousands of individuals who commute daily between the two locations.
The transition towards a more fluid border was part of a historic treaty between the European Union and the UK, which was eventually signed after years of negotiations post-Brexit. UK’s Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty remarked that the agreement not only secured Gibraltar’s long-term economic interests but also helped foster closer ties with Spain.
Gibraltar’s future had been uncertain following the UK’s 2016 Brexit referendum, during which 96 percent of Gibraltarians voted to remain in the EU. The territory faced unresolved relationships with the EU after Britain officially left in 2020. Following extensive discussions, a treaty was signed in 2025, easing border controls.
Failure to reach an agreement could have resulted in stringent border controls, jeopardising the economic stability of the territory that relies heavily on approximately 15,000 Spanish workers, making up nearly half of Gibraltar’s workforce.
Travelers arriving in Gibraltar from outside the Schengen area will now encounter the new EU Entry-Exit System, implemented in April, which collects biometric data, including photographs and digital fingerprints, thus altering travel procedures.
The ongoing debate over Gibraltar’s status underlines the complexities of British-Spanish relations and reflects the broader challenges arising from Brexit, setting the stage for future negotiations.
