The flag of Gibraltar flies proudly above the Foreign Office and DCLG this morning, marking Gibraltar National Day in defiance against Spanish aggression. It is 46 years to the day that the people of Gibraltar held their first sovereignty referendum, in which 99.64% voted to remain British. A resilience that has not wavered nearly half a century on. Representatives from the Falklands are also visiting Gibraltar as a show of strength, along with a delegation from Parliament. One of those MPs, Alec Shelbrooke, wires his message to Guido from the Rock:

“As we celebrate National Day, we know the actions of the Spanish have not a shred of justification or a scrap of legality. We are proud that Gibraltar stands as British territory and we will never surrender as long as the people of this land wish to remain so. May the Union Jack fly over this fine Rock forever more and the Judas hands of Labour never touch it again.”

Someone should put that to music…

UPDATE: Pickles has his say:

“As the Gibraltarian and United Kingdom’s Union flags flutter in the breeze side by side, they send a message that Britain’s commitment to Gibraltar is solid. Flying flags unites communities. Recognising the national day of Gibraltar here in Whitehall sends a clear message of support that we stand together under our shared sovereign.”