No Way, José! Gibraltarians Slam Spanish Passport Seduction – By Baroness Arlene Foster of Aghadrumsee

No Thanks, No Way, José – Gibraltar’s Sovereignty is Not Up for Seduction” –  By Arlene Foster

The latest musings from the Spanish press, suggesting once again that the people of Gibraltar might be “tempted” by the offer of Spanish passports and EU membership, are not just patronising—they fundamentally misunderstand the nature of identity, loyalty, and democratic choice.

In the wake of Brexit, Gibraltar found itself in a complex and unenviable position. In the 2016 referendum, 96% of Gibraltarians voted to remain in the European Union. That result speaks volumes about their practical concerns—border fluidity, trade, and everyday life—but it says nothing about a desire to weaken or dilute their British identity. Indeed, their commitment to remaining under British sovereignty remains unshaken, a position reaffirmed time and again at the ballot box and through their vocal political leadership.

This renewed call from sectors within Spain to “seduce” Gibraltar with the allure of dual nationality and EU perks has a familiar ring. In 2016, then-Spanish foreign minister José Manuel García-Margallo floated a similar joint sovereignty proposal. Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo famously retorted, “No way, José!” at the United Nations, a phrase that has echoed through the years with enduring clarity.

The editorial from Europa Sur acknowledges that this overture was previously seen as an “attempt to undermine the sovereignty and identity of the Llanitos.” That admission is telling. Identity cannot be bartered with passports or economic carrots. It is not a transactional matter, and certainly not one to be manipulated by external interests under the guise of generosity.

As a unionist from Northern Ireland, I see echoes here of the constitutional debate we have long navigated. Identity in contested or dual-sovereignty spaces is not amenable to simple solutions or bureaucratic neatness. In Northern Ireland, we understand the deep roots of allegiance—to Britain, to Ireland, to both or to neither—and the importance of respecting the democratic will of the people. Our peace and political stability have come from recognising that sovereignty cannot be imposed or reinterpreted without consent.

Gibraltar, like Northern Ireland, lives at a crossroads of identities and geographies. But what unites us is a shared history of self-determination and resilience in the face of external pressure. Just as unionists in Northern Ireland will not be cajoled into abandoning the Union because of economic forecasts or passport policies, neither will Gibraltarians trade their sovereignty for the convenience of rejoining the EU.

What makes this latest Spanish proposal especially galling is its cloaking in the language of seduction and kindness. “It’s not confrontational,” claims the editorial, “it’s seduction.” But the soft sell is no less intrusive than the hard line. Whether framed as diplomacy or seduction, the aim remains the same: to change Gibraltar’s status without the people’s desire to do so.

It is also naïve to suggest that offering Spanish nationality could be free of political repercussion. Sovereignty is not merely a technical arrangement; it is deeply felt, fiercely defended, and woven into the everyday lives of people. No amount of dual citizenship or EU convenience will persuade a people who have stood firm for their right to self-determination.

Moreover, the premise that Gibraltarians are somehow missing out due to their Britishness is both arrogant and misleading. Britain’s global reach, Gibraltar’s economic vitality, and their shared legal and political systems have long served the Rock well. Yes, Brexit has introduced complexity, but it has not altered the bedrock of identity.

In Northern Ireland, we have learned that identity is not just personal—it is political, historical, and deeply embedded in the land. Any attempt to alter it by stealth or seduction only fuels division. Instead, we should champion stability, respect the democratic will of communities like Gibraltar, and resist efforts to exploit post-Brexit uncertainty as an opportunity for constitutional change.

The people of Gibraltar have answered this question many times. The reply remains unchanged. Whether it’s “thanks, but no thanks,” or “no way, José,” the message is clear: they are British, and they will decide their future—not Spain, not editorials, and certainly not as the result of political seduction dressed up as generosity.

Let us hear them and respect them.