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Sunday, 24 January 2016

Northern Irish MP at PMQs speaks for everyone that Labour should not accommodate Argentina over the Falklands

The Labour leader has called for an “accommodation” with Argentina over the Falkland islands - despite 99.8 per cent of the inhabitants wanting to remain British. I disagree with Corbyn.
The matter featured at prime Ministers Questions this week.

Nigel Dodds MP                                           

Will the Prime Minister reiterate, not just on behalf of the Government, but speaking for the whole House I believe, the unconditional and unequivocal support of the British people for the people of the Falkland Islands and their right—[Hon. Members: “Hear, hear!”]—their inalienable and British-held right to self-determination? Will he confirm that that will not be undermined in any way by some kind of accommodation or negotiation in which the people of the Falkland Islands may have an enormous say, but have no veto? They should have a right to determine their own future.               

David Cameron The Prime Minister,                                          

The right hon. Gentleman has put it better than I ever could. The people of the Falkland Islands spoke as clearly as they possibly could in the referendum. They want to maintain the status quo. As long as they want that, they will have it guaranteed from me. I find it quite extraordinary that the Labour party wants to look at changing the status and giving away something people absolutely consider to be their right. That will never happen as long as I am in Downing Street.


Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 20 January 2016, c1415)

I held a debate after the last referendum in the House of Commons, the details of which are here: http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/falklands-vote-to-stay-british.html

The full Corbyn story is here; I can find no Labour MP in the Commons this last week who thinks his approach is correct: 
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/635487/Jeremy-Corbyn-calls-for-Falklands-deal-with-Argentina-and-Trident-subs-minus-warheads