FCO: 'Gib Reg not British!

Dear Sir

Nothing now surprises me in our new Gibraltar, to praise the excellent
agreement apparently reached with the MOD in that, notwithstanding the
continuous defence cuts our Regiment has remained untouched.

Are we forgetting that Gibraltar is now landed with the takeover, for
want of a better name, of facilities for the Armed Forces in Education,
Hospital, Generating station, Laundry and Services Police, all this at
an extra cost to the local tax payer and thus releasing the UK Government of its
commitments, not forgetting that the Regiment has been landed with Bomb
Disposal responsibilities, all this in the wake of some bright spark in
the FCO querying that our soldiers could not serve in theatres of war,
because wait for it they were not British.

I think praise should be extended to whoever can achieve that Gibraltar
be more forcibly defended in the EU, UN and why not even NATO, instead
we get the UK announcing the appointment of a special Minister for the
Services when this should have read for Gibraltar to defend these
peoples Loyalty to the Crown for well over 307 years.
Will we ever learn or are some out there still grateful for appointment
and/or nominations to whatever tickle someone’s fancy.


Yours faithfully,

W.L.Chamberland.