Yesterday I wrote of the proposed Third Way in
Cataluña which would see the region not stay as part of the Spanish State as at
present, not becoming independent either, but under a new Constitution becoming
a federal State.
Germany is a federal state, Spain could go the same
way, but what about the UK and what implications could this have for Gibraltar?
It has to be said there is no debate in the UK at
present for a federal state but things have to change. Currently the
parliamentary system is a mess. The Westminster Parliament and the British
Government speaks for the nation. However Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
have their own parliaments whatever they might be called. England does not: it
is ruled by Westminster and whilst Scottish, Welsh and Irish MPs can speak and
vote on English matters, English MPs have no say in their respective regional
parliaments. It is an unsustainable situation and will have to change.
That change may come in less than a year from now when
Scotland holds its independence referendum in September. If Scotland votes for
independence then we shall see a break up of the United Kingdom. However if
Scotland stays expect to see additional powers for its government and
parliament.
Now there are those who have campaigned for Gibraltar
to be integrated with Britain. However if that came to pass Gibraltar would be
little more than another UK county. However if the UK moves to a parliament for
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with a separate Westminster
Parliament and Government taking decisions on defence, foreign affairs etc then
we have an interesting situation. In essence that is the status quo between the
UK and Gibraltar now.
So if the UK became in reality a federation with
English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish parliaments deciding the bread and
butter issues could or should Gibraltar ask to join that system? Could or
should Gibraltar become a federal State in a federal Britain? The British
Government would still boss foreign affairs, defence, the key finances of the
nation but that is no different from now as far as Gibraltar is concerned.
Gibraltar would still run its own economy and affairs
through its own government and parliament as now. Our parliament and government
would be on an equal footing to those of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland.
The way the UK is governed is going to have to change
because sooner or later the people of England, which is the key component, are
going to become increasing fed up with the other regions being given more
powers at the same time as having a one-sided say in their affairs.
It could present an opportunity for Gibraltar, not to
integrate with the UK, but to take on a federal status with Britain. What could
work for Cataluña with Spain could be our future security in a federal UK in an
increasingly federal Europe.
