Colony or Not, Gibraltarians Affirm Their British Identity and Advocate for an Open Border

Gibraltar Residents Concerned About Brexit Impact, Not Colonial Labeling

GIBRALTAR – Amidst a growing debate in London about whether Gibraltar should still be referred to as a "colony," the residents of this British territory at the southern tip of Spain are more focused on the implications of Brexit than the terminology used to describe their status.

Recently, British officials expressed their dissatisfaction with the European Union’s characterization of Gibraltar as a "colony" in a draft document regarding visa-free travel. The territory, home to approximately 33,000 people, had previously been labeled a "crown colony" by Britain for 268 years, following the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, which concluded the War of Spanish Succession. This designation was changed to "dependent territory" in 1981 and further updated to "British overseas territory" in 2002.

Even as recently as the 1980s, Gibraltarians had passports that explicitly noted "Colony of Gibraltar." However, many residents now feel such classifications are outdated. The British ambassador to the EU strongly objected to the term, asserting that Gibraltar is an integral part of the United Kingdom.

Economically, Gibraltarians rely heavily on an open border with Spain and had voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum. Nonetheless, the territory is scheduled to exit the union alongside the UK on March 29.

Cultural ties to Britain were on display recently as the city celebrated the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s accession with a 21-gun salute.

Teacher Steven Grant expressed indifference towards the terminology, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the current border situation. He noted, "We just want to stay as we are—British. We don’t need anything to change."

Others, however, echoed London’s sentiment, feeling frustrated by the EU’s terminology choice. Insurance salesman Jack Johnson stated, "This isn’t the 1700s … it’s 2019, and we’re a city. We’re Gibraltar, not a colony."