A new non-colonial constitution came into effect in Gibraltar in 2007. What consequences does this have?

--simone--

"Strategically important, Gibraltar was reluctantly ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a referendum held in 1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. The subsequent granting of autonomy in 1969 by the UK led to Spain closing the border and severing all communication links. A series of talks were held by the UK and Spain between 1997 and 2002 on establishing temporary joint sovereignty over Gibraltar. In response to these talks, the Gibraltar Government called a referendum in late 2002 in which the majority of citizens voted overwhelmingly against any sharing of sovereignty with Spain. Since the referendum, tripartite talks on other issues have been held with Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar, and in September 2006 a three-way agreement was signed. Spain agreed to remove restrictions on air movements, to speed up customs procedures, to implement international telephone dialing, and to allow mobile roaming agreements. Britain agreed to pay increased pensions to Spaniards who had been employed in Gibraltar before the border closed. Spain will be allowed to open a cultural institute from which the Spanish flag will fly. A new non-colonial constitution came into effect in 2007, but the UK retains responsibility for defense, foreign relations, internal security, and financial stability." https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/gi.html Mar 17 08, 6:57 PM

author

I am not sure if this answers my question. Quote: "The UK retains responsibility for defense, foreign relations, internal security, and financial stability." My question is: What, then, does the UK NOT retain responsibility for? Is there a kind of local government or self-rule? Mar 18 08, 6:01 AM

Baloo55th

Interesting side point is that Gibraltar has been in British hands longer than it was in Spanish. The Moors had it even longer..... Mar 18 08, 12:45 PM

--simone--

author - I did do a search, this was the closest I came to finding aa appropriate enough answer. Mar 18 08, 1:32 PM

Baloo55th

Here's a link to the New Constitution itself: http://www.gibnet.com/texts/pdf_icon.gif The UK has given up none of its sovereignty over Gibraltar. There is going to be a Parliament. And a Public Service Commission. And a Mayor. There's 61 pages of this - over to you..... Mar 18 08, 2:00 PM