Stay home, Spain PM tells David Cameron before Gibraltar trip

The tiny British overseas territory nestled on the southern tip of Spain has long been a source of friction between London and Madrid, which wants it to come back under its control centuries after it was ceded to Britain in 1713.

Cameron’s visit to Gibraltar later on Thursday will be the first by a British prime minister since 1968 and comes at a time of deep concern on the Rock over next week’s referendum on whether to stay in or leave the European Union.

“The government doesn’t like it that Mr. Cameron is going to Gibraltar,” Rajoy said on Spanish radio.

“What is being debated is whether the United Kingdom stays in the European Union -- as I hope it will -- or leaves the European Union. “The campaign for this should be done in the United Kingdom and not in Gibraltar.” He added that whatever happened in the June 23 referendum, “for Spain, Gibraltar remains Spanish.” 

The British territory is eyeing the vote with increasing alarm, particularly as recent opinion polls have shown the camp in favour of leaving the EU gaining ground.

At stake is a thriving services-based economy that relies in large part on access to the EU’s single market, and the sovereignty spat with Spain.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo, who is outspoken about his desire to see Gibraltar returning to the Spanish fold, last week revived the idea of sharing sovereignty over the Rock with Britain in the event of a Brexit.