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Gibraltar National Day: message from the Prime Minister

A video message from Prime Minister David Cameron to mark Gibraltar's National Day.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Prime Minister message for Gibraltar National Day

Read the full transcript of the video below:

I am delighted to be able to take part in the celebrations of Gibraltar’s National Day.

Britain and Gibraltar have a long and proud history. For 300 years we have stood together, as one with our shared sovereign. Today your flag flies over the Foreign Office in London.

The people of Gibraltar have faced the pressures of recent months with enormous dignity. Let me assure you that the British people and my Government stand with you now. Our relationship is solid, sure and enduring.

On this Gibraltar National Day, the British government wholeheartedly supports your right to determine your political future. As I have said before, we will never agree to any transfer of sovereignty – or even start a process of negotiation of sovereignty – without your consent. And I wouldn’t want us ever to go down that route. Gibraltar has been British for 300 years. Let’s keep it that way.

As we celebrate today, let us all remember that Spain is our neighbour and thousands of Spanish people are welcomed by you to work in Gibraltar. I know many of you have close family and friends in Spain. The world is an unstable place; Gibraltar is not. And that is why we want to see day to day matters dealt with through dialogue and not in unacceptable border delays, or other actions or rhetoric. I have called upon Spain to work with your government and ours to find solutions to the difficulties of recent months.

Today let us look to the future and to a confident, flourishing, secure Gibraltar with good, constructive relationships with all its neighbours in the region – north and south. That way everyone wins.

So enjoy a great celebration and party today.

Happy National Day Gibraltar!

Published 10 September 2013