Chief Minister’s National Day Message 2026

The Government has extended the GASA Bathing Pavilion season until 30th September, with the facility remaining open after the official bathing season ends. From 14th September, opening hours will be 4pm to 8pm on weekdays and 10am to 8pm at weekends.

National Day is a day of reflection of the past and of hope for the future. A day where dressing in red and white is not  just about identity but about our collective free expression of our will and of our rights. It is a statement of intent for  the future as well as a reaffirmation of generations past.

“This will be the last National Day that I address you as your Chief Minister. I am not going to pretend that it is easy to write those words. I have proudly led this nation for fifteen years. Furthermore, I re instated the Casemates events and have stood on the stage in good years and in very hard ones. In every one of those years, the same thing has happened. I have looked out at a square full of red and white and I have remembered why representing you was never a burden. ”

The Government will launch its new GibLink international business series in Marbella on 17th September, bringing together businesses, investors and entrepreneurs from Gibraltar and Spain.

We continue our new series where we ask artists, poets, novelists, musicians, dancers and others for tips to help beginners appreciate and learn more about their art form.

A 19-year-old local man has been arrested on suspicion of assisting illegal immigration after an incident involving the Guardia Civil and Gibraltar law enforcement agencies in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. The RGP recovered a Spanish-registered vessel that had been abandoned in Gibraltar Harbour, while HM Customs detained and later released two people from a second vessel. The Government says the Guardia Civil vessel entered BGTW during the pursuit and has reiterated that Gibraltar authorities should be notified so they can respond.

The Government will attend seven UK political party conferences this autumn, including those of Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Reform UK, the Green Party, Plaid Cymru and the SNP.

Tickets for the 2026 Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival are now on sale online and from the Garrison Library Box Office.

The RGP is warning the public about scam emails falsely claiming to be from INTERPOL and accusing recipients of serious criminal offences. The emails often demand a response within 72 hours. The RGP advises people not to reply, click links or open attachments, and to report the emails to police.

The Government says Macmillan Ltd will repay £10,904.35 in emergency repair costs and receive a £40,000 fine after damaging a high-voltage cable in Bayside last month.

A ‘Letter Writing’ Workshop took place on Tuesday at BOOKgem bookshop in Ince’s Hall. Led by Danica Field, the event was successful and well attended.

Aqualand’s new BBQ Boat Experience at Western Beach is now open for bookings ahead of National Day. The three-hour experience is available for groups of six or eight, with a BBQ, Bluetooth speakers, sun canopy and swim ladder. Food options are also available.

An online seminar will discuss the origins and development of Llanito. Titled “Linguistic Diversity Under Threat: Global South and Global North Perspective,” the event is organised by Pedro Álvarez‑Mosquera, Director of the LinguaSOUTH Chair at the University of Salamanca.

The SDGG will hand out free National Day hand fans and branded string bags from 9:30am on 10th September. The giveaway will take place outside the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned on a first come, first served basis.

A routine test of the Nuclear Alarm system at His Majesty’s Naval Base, including South Mole, will take place tomorrow from 10am. The alarm may be heard in nearby areas of Gibraltar, but no action is required from the public.

The RGP has arrested three local men, aged 27, 30 and 35, on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm following the incident at Varyl Begg Estate on Friday. The arrests follow the earlier arrest of a 26-year-old man, with the investigation ongoing.

The Government has wished Miss Gibraltar Julia Horne good luck ahead of the Miss World Final this Saturday, 5th September, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Shawn Cabezutto (Simply Shawn) and Aaron Soleci have teamed up to record ‘Era Yo Quien Pagó el Pato’, a new album released last week.

The Gibraltar Contingency Council has reviewed the Rock’s security and civil contingency risks, including terrorism, cyber threats, public health and wildfire preparedness. The Council confirmed Gibraltar’s terrorism threat level remains at MODERATE, meaning an attack is possible but not likely.

The GSD has welcomed the additional capacity at the Rooke elderly care facility but says a number of questions remain over the project. The party is calling for more detail on the cost of the development, the future of Mount Alvernia and the consultation process with residents and their families ahead of the planned move later this year.