Later this month, the people of Spain will be called upon to exercise their collective democratic right, and decide which political party, or parties, will b entrusted with the task of transacting the nation’s business. According to opinion polls, Vox, a right-wing, anti-immigrant party is likely to form at least part of the new government.

Like many such parties, Vox relies for its appeal on populist, “dog whistle” policies. One of these concerns the slightly awkward question of Gibraltar. They insist that there can be no deal with the UK government until the Spanish government shares sovereignty over the territory. That is a minimum. They would, of course, prefer that the Rock be re-absorbed into the Kingdom of Spain.

Gibraltar was ceded to Britain in perpetuity by Spain, as a result of the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. Since then, the populous has developed its own distinctive way of life – neither wholly British, nor wholly Spanish, but rather, Gibraltarian. When, in the 1960s, the Franco regime wanted the British to hand it back, a referendum was held on the Rock, and the people voted overwhelmingly to maintain the status quo. Angered by this apparent rejection, Franco ordered that the border be shut. It wasn’t re-opened until 1985, as a pre-condition for Spain joining the EEC (now the EU). Twenty years or so later, the British government made noises concerning the future sovereignty of Gibraltar, which lead to the locals holding another referendum, which had a similar result to the one held in 1967. Despite grumbling about the legality of the plebiscite, the then Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, was forced to accept that Gibraltarians wished things to remain the same. The reason for mentioning Mr Straw specifically, is that government of Britains overseas territories was then, and still is, ultimately administered by the Foreign Office.

Given all of the above, it would be quite wrong for either the UK or Spain to unilaterally determine what should or shouldn’t be. Indeed, it would also be wrong for them to do so bilaterally. If both governments truly believe in the principle of self-determination, they should accept that whether Gibraltar should remain a British overseas territory, become part of Spain once again, or even have a go at forging its own destiny as an independent state, is a matter for those people who live there.

There are three further reasons why Vox should abandon this policy. Firstly, as we have been repeatedly told since the start of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, Nato is being tested as never before. Given the fact that all Nato members need to stand together, it really wouldn’t do for one important member to pick an unnecessary fight with another important member.

Secondly, being obstreperous and closing the border would impoverish a goodly number of Spanish citizens. There are approximately fifteen thousand Spaniards who work in Gibraltar, mostly in the health and social services. This is partly because the jobs are there, and partly because the pay is better than they could get on their own side of the border.

Thirdly, the UK isn’t the only country to have overseas territories. Spain also has them. Two spring to mind. Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish territories in North Africa. They were both once part of Morocco, and the Moroccans would quite like to have them back. There seems to be no likelihood of this happening.

I’m not flapping the flag, and demanding the continuation of even the vestiges of empire. But this ludicrous demand should be dropped. As I have said above, the future of Gibraltar should be decided by the people of Gibraltar, and their wishes, whatever they are, should be respected. Also, as I have said, for the sake of harmony, during a time of adversity, no Nato government should be squaring up to another Nato government, and no government should deliberately inflict penury on its citizens, simply to make a point that most of the world doesn’t care about. If Vox won’t drop the policy, and refuses to countenance returning Ceuta and Melilla to Morocco, its leadership will prove to the world that they are merely rabble-rousing hypocrites. And of course, hypocrites need to be reminded that people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Especially if those stones are the size of the Rock of Gibraltar.