Pretty overwhelming support for remaining British. 90% turnout in an election is amazing.
Argentina’s statement that the inhabitants wishes are not relevant is just ridiculous. These people have lived on the Falklands for over hundred-fifty years. They certainly have the right to choose their own futures.
99.7%, and Comrade Stalin wasn’t even on the ballot!
Earlier thread: What's the Deal with the Falkland Islands? - Great Debates - Straight Dope Message Board
I guess the biggest question is whether it’s worth any more lives fighting over a small island with just under 3000 people.
It seems like Argentina would have learned their lesson the last time. But realistically there’s a limit to how many British troops should be committed to protecting the Island.
Some sort of settlement needs to be worked out. What that is? I’m not sure.
Isn’t that a bit like making western Long Island vote on whether to stay in the US or become Dutch? Or having a vote in Carrickfergus, NI (86.1% Protestant) show that most people want to be part of the UK? This isn’t quite the same situation as Cyprus (and the vote there is not what you’d expect).
The difference here is the island was briefly occupied by Argentina thirty years ago. It can’t be much fun being threatened by a country that isn’t very far away. Britain is on the other side of the world and reinforcements are a long way away.
I’m surprised more people didn’t vote against continuing British citizenship. I guess it depends on how they would be treated under Argentine rule. If promised autonomy then who knows. They might vote for it.
The Falklands are an island group in the middle of the sea. So no.
They would be royally screwed. Argentina do not have a stellar record on this matter. I’d read up on how they have managed their own affairs over the past 50 years and then compare and contrast with the UK. That’ll answer most of your questions.
An uninhabited island group in the middle of the sea, stable population, self-financing and with democratic government for 180 years and given full UN backing for self-determination. Not sure why they’d want to change.
Other than “we’re closer and we like the look of your fish and oil” what claim do Argentina have? (considering that they didn’t even even exist at the point that the UK claimed the Islands).
Bigger thread here for those interested.
Really, you’re surprised that people didn’t vote to come under the control of a country that the last time they had much contact with was a military occupation by a fascist dictatorship? :dubious:
Were the three votes against a protest or a joke or something?
Probably. But I like to think that there are three Falkland Islanders who, having kept their end of the deal, are looking forward to a lifetime supply of steak.
In some ways, 99.7% is almost more convincing than 100% - it shows that people did at least know they could vote the other way.
Just out of idle curiosity, why is it that almost half the population wasn’t eligible to vote? 1300 or so ineligible vs 1672 eligible.
Because they’re penguins.
Only those adults with Falklands Islands legal status were eligible to vote. Take out the kids and immigrant workers and the 1672 is all that is left.
Similar statistics can be seen in other British Overseas Territories. Cayman, with a population somewhere around 55,000 only has about 18,000 eligible voters.
It’s suspected they are people in favour of independence. Was just reading a piece from the Guardian on the subject.
Yes.
Quite interesting - thanks.
It’s more like Puerto Rico voting on whether to stay a US territory, but with Venezuela saying that they have a territorial right to it and demanding talks with the US, even after having had an invasion force repulsed 30 years ago.
OK, so what was the other 1 vote for? Becoming Canadian?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Something to do with Independence and World Domination.