Gibraltar Leader Calls for Britain to Rejoin E.U., Reviving Brexit Debate

LONDON — The chief minister of Gibraltar has reignited Britain’s long-running argument over its departure from the European Union, urging the country to reverse course and rejoin the bloc nearly a decade after the Brexit referendum.

Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar’s longtime leader, made the remarks at a business event in Madrid, arguing that many British voters had been misled by the 2016 Leave campaign.

“The British public have come to see that they were led down the garden path,” Mr. Picardo said, suggesting that the realities of life outside the bloc have prompted second thoughts among former supporters of Brexit.

He pointed to a recently concluded treaty governing Gibraltar’s post-Brexit relationship with the European Union as a potential “road map” for the United Kingdom itself to restore deeper ties with Brussels.

The comments, made in late April, quickly drew attention across Britain, where Brexit remains a deeply divisive issue more than nine years after the narrow vote to leave the European Union.

Gibraltar, a British overseas territory at the southern tip of Spain, voted overwhelmingly — by more than 95 percent — to remain in the E.U. in the 2016 referendum. Its economy, heavily reliant on cross-border movement with Spain, faced particular challenges after Britain’s exit.

The new Gibraltar treaty, finalized after years of negotiations, allows for smoother movement of people and goods while preserving British sovereignty over the Rock. Mr. Picardo has hailed it as a pragmatic success.

Critics of Mr. Picardo’s intervention dismissed the remarks as out of touch with mainland British opinion. Many voters who backed Brexit continue to value the restoration of sovereignty over borders, laws and trade policy.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government has ruled out rejoining the E.U. or its single market, focusing instead on improving relations through targeted agreements in areas like defense, security and youth mobility.

Opposition Conservatives, who oversaw Brexit, accused Mr. Picardo of ignoring the democratic will of the British people. “Brexit was a sovereign decision by the United Kingdom,” one senior Tory said. “Gibraltar’s arrangements are specific to its unique geography.”

Public opinion polls show mixed views. While support for rejoining the E.U. has grown in some surveys compared with the immediate post-referendum years, a clear majority still opposes reversing the decision outright. Economic concerns, particularly around trade and regulation, persist on both sides.

The debate reflects ongoing practical consequences of Brexit. Britain has faced challenges with supply chains, labor shortages in certain sectors and regulatory divergence, though supporters highlight gains in independent trade deals and border control.

For Gibraltar, the stakes have always been existential. The territory’s airport, tourism and financial services depend heavily on fluid relations with Spain and the E.U. The new treaty is seen locally as a vital compromise that maintains British identity while mitigating economic damage.

Mr. Picardo, a vocal Remainer, has long warned that Brexit posed risks to Gibraltar’s prosperity. His latest comments frame the Gibraltar model as evidence that closer alignment with European rules can coexist with sovereignty.

Pro-Brexit voices argue that Britain, as a major global economy, benefits from full independence in ways a small territory like Gibraltar cannot. They point to new trade partnerships with countries outside Europe and the ability to set domestic policy without Brussels oversight.

Rejoining the E.U. would require not only a political reversal but also navigating complex legal and economic hurdles, including acceptance of free movement rules, contributions to the bloc’s budget and alignment with European Court of Justice rulings.

Such a step remains politically improbable in the near term. Both major British parties have committed to making Brexit work rather than undoing it, though Labour has pursued closer cooperation.

The episode underscores the enduring emotional and political scars of the 2016 vote. For some, Brexit represents a historic assertion of national self-determination. For others, it has been a costly mistake that has diminished Britain’s influence.

Economic data since departure shows mixed results: stronger wage growth in some low-skilled sectors but slower overall trade growth with Europe and higher administrative costs for businesses.

Gibraltar’s unique situation — a population of around 32,000 perched on a strategic peninsula — makes direct comparisons to the U.K. imperfect. Yet Mr. Picardo’s suggestion has amplified calls from some pro-European groups for a fresh national conversation.

British officials have emphasized that Gibraltar’s deal does not set a precedent for the mainland. “Our relationship with the E.U. is evolving, but our decision to leave remains,” a government spokesperson said.

As Britain navigates global trade, security challenges and economic pressures, the question of its European future refuses to fade. Mr. Picardo’s intervention, while symbolic, taps into broader anxieties about whether the United Kingdom has found the right balance outside the bloc.

Analysts say any meaningful shift would require sustained public pressure and electoral change. For now, the focus in Westminster remains on practical improvements to the existing post-Brexit framework.

In Gibraltar, residents appear broadly supportive of their chief minister’s pragmatic approach to securing the territory’s interests.

The remarks have nevertheless served as a reminder that Brexit’s legacy continues to shape politics, diplomacy and identity across Britain and its territories. Whether Mr. Picardo’s vision gains traction or fades remains to be seen.