HM Government of Gibraltar has announced a number of events that will take place in order to mark the 50th Anniversary of the 1967 referendum.

The programme of events is being coordinated by the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia. An inter-ministerial committee has been set up chaired by Dr Garcia which includes the Minister for Heritage Dr John Cortes and the Minister for Culture Steven Linares, together with officials.

On the 14th June, 1967, UK Minister of State at the Commonwealth Office Judith Hart told the Westminster Parliament that a referendum would be held in Gibraltar on the 10th September that year. Read the Hart address

There would be two options on the ballot paper open to the Gibraltarians.

The first (marked A on the image above) to pass under Spanish sovereignty in accordance with the terms proposed by the Spanish Government to Her Majesty’s Government on 18 May 1966. The second choice (marked B on the image above) was to voluntarily retain the link with Britain, with democratic local institutions and with Britain retaining its existing responsibilities.

It was the first time in history that the Gibraltarians were given the opportunity to make a direct decision on their future. The 1967 Referendum was a huge occasion. The whole of Gibraltar, including many clubs and housing estates, were decked out in the red, white and blue colours of the British flag.

Click the image above to view the 1967 Referendum Register of Voters

Below Referendum 1967 Video
Music: Casemates by Mr. Eric Rowbottom
Film: Produced by John Stephen Barea