Birmingham stakes Gibraltar claim

The Rock of Gibraltar needs an MEP

Gibraltar may take its first step into European politics - by becoming part of the West Midlands.

The Rock has won the right to vote in elections for the parliament in Brussels, but has too few inhabitants to merit its own MEP.

So it is now up to the UK government to place Gibraltar in an existing constituency - and West Midlands Conservative MEP Philip Bradbourn is inviting it to join his.

He is lobbying the government to choose the West Midlands as the obvious partners for the colony.

Mr Bradbourn is a supporter of Gibraltar

"We are very patriotic and so are they, and we are also a very multi-cultural constituency," said Mr Cantrill.

"There's a lot to offer in the West Midlands, and we would like to welcome them in.

"It is a matter of pride - we want to be a beacon."

Gibraltar won its right to representation in the European Parliament after taking the UK to the European Court of Human Rights.

It is not known if any other constituencies have shown an interest in taking it on, or if the government has considered how to act on the court ruling.

But Mr Bradbourn is a member of the MEP support group for Gibraltar, and has already visited the region several times.

His press spokesman James Cantrill said the distance between the two halves of the potential constituency would be no bar.

"MEPs almost see planes as buses with wings.

"He would have plenty of time to give to the people of Gibraltar.

"The partnership between Gibraltar and the West Midlands would be perfect - we would have a lot of things to offer each other."