Referendum of Gibraltarian citizens to determine if they wished to pass under Spanish sovereignty
1967 Gibraltar sovereignty referendum
10 September 1967 (1967-09-10)
"A) To pass under SPANISH sovereignty in accordance with the terms proposed by the SPANISH GOVERNMENT to the Government of the United Kingdom on 18th May, 1966 (which terms are set out in the Schedule to the Gibraltar (Referendum) Order 1967).
B) Voluntarily to retain their link with the UNITED KINGDOM with democratic local institutions and with the UNITED KINGDOM retaining its present responsibilities."
The Gibraltar sovereignty referendum of 1967 was held on 10 September 1967, in which
Gibraltarian citizens were asked whether they wished to pass under Spanish sovereignty, with Gibraltarians keeping their
British citizenship and a special status for Gibraltar within
Spain; or remain under British sovereignty, with its own
self-governing institutions.[1]
The cancellation of the
Treaty of Utrecht and the subsequent return of Gibraltar to Spain.
The presence of the British in the
Royal Navy base in Gibraltar, its use being subject to a specific Anglo-Spanish agreement.
A "Personal Statute" for Gibraltarians, under
United Nations guarantee, protecting their cultural, social and economic interest in Gibraltar or anywhere else in Spain, including their British nationality. "(An) appropriate [..] administrative formula" should also be agreed on.
The options presented to Gibraltarians in a referendum were:[4]
To pass under Spanish sovereignty in accordance with the terms proposed by the Spanish Government; or
Retain their link with Britain, with democratic local institutions. Britain retaining its present responsibilities.
Result
Gibraltar sovereignty referendum, 1967
Choice
Votes
%
British sovereignty
12,138
99.64
Spanish sovereignty
44
0.36
Valid votes
12,182
99.55
Invalid or blank votes
55
0.45
Total votes
12,237
100.00
Registered voters/turnout
12,672
96.50
Aftermath
A new
constitution was passed in 1969.
Gibraltar National Day has been celebrated annually on 10 September since 1992 to commemorate Gibraltar's first sovereignty referendum of 1967.
In 1969, the Spanish government closed the border between Spain and Gibraltar, cutting off all contacts and severely restricting movement. The border was not fully reopened until February 1985.
The Special Committee on Decolonization was informed in advance of the referendum and invited to observe.[5] The invitation was declined and instead the
UN General Assembly passed
Resolution 2353, which requested that the United Kingdom enter negotiations with Spain (then under the
dictatorship of
General Franco) and criticised the United Kingdom for holding a referendum. Resolution 2353 (XXII) was supported by seventy-three countries (mainly
Latin American,
Arab,
African and
Eastern European countries),[6] rejected by nineteen (United Kingdom and the countries of the
Commonwealth of Nations), while twenty-seven countries abstained (
Western Europe and the
United States).
Gallery
Related images
Devil's Gap Road in Gibraltar's Upper Town. The steps have been painted with the
Union Flag ever since the referendum
A car painted to celebrate the results of the referendum
Referendum Gate at Southport Gates in
Charles V Wall, Gibraltar. Named to commemorate the referendum
^United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1966). Gibraltar talks with Spain (May-October 1966). Presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by Command of Her Majesty. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. p. 36.