ABSTRACT
The Gibraltarian electorate had delivered its verdict on the future status of the Rock in the referendum of 10 September 1967 and by so doing had produced an impasse in Anglo-Spanish relations. The Spanish Government could have recourse to the support of the General Assembly in the UN and its relevant committees in its bid to secure sovereignty over Gibraltar whilst the British Government had the buttress of the clearly expressed wishes of the overwhelming majority of the Gibraltarian electorate in its favour in seeking to maintain the Colony’s close links with the UK. However, despite the weight of argument and legal and moral certitude which both governments could bring to bear on the future status of Gibraltar, it must have been apparent in both London and Madrid that the problem posed by Gibraltar was no nearer an agreed solution nor was it a problem which would simply go away. Furthermore, Gibraltar was clearly discernible as a factor with the potential to prejudice the wider context of Anglo-Spanish relations.
