Two Islanders to represent the Falkland Islands at Commonwealth Youth Parliament
Two young Falkland Islanders, Stacy Bragger and Krysteen Ormond, have been nominated by the Legislative Assembly to represent the Falkland Islands at the 5th Commonwealth Youth Parliament (CYP) in London between 4th-8th December 2012. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has accepted both candidates.
This year’s CYP will focus on governance, looking at the concept from a local, national and international perspective. Representatives are chosen for demonstrating an interest in the Commonwealth and parliamentary affairs and potential leadership qualities. Good communications skills are essential. The CYPs will be expected to take an active role in the debates and proceedings of the Parliament, which is hosted at the Palace of Westminster.
Member of the Legislative Assembly, Hon. Mike Summers commented highly of the CYP experience.
“The experiences gained at last years CYP by Nadia Smith and Pippa Christie, and by the younger generation of Islanders that accompanied MLA's to Washington and New York earlier this year, not only enriches their experiences but also helps disseminate the Falklands message to a wider audience. These generations will represent the Falklands at home and overseas for many years to come; the people they meet now and the experience gained will stand them in good stead.”
Krysteen Ormond said she felt honoured to have been chosen to attend the Youth Parliament as a representative of the Falkland Islands.
“I had a wonderful time in the United States earlier this year assisting MLAs Edwards and Summers at the C24 meeting, so the chance to go out again and share the Islands' message with the international community will be really exciting, not to mention the insight I will get into governance and the Commonwealth countries will be invaluable.”
Stacy Bragger was also enthusiastic about his nomination.
“I am delighted to have been selected to represent the Falkland Islands at the Commonwealth Youth Parliament. It should be a fascinating experience and a great opportunity to learn more about parliamentary affairs and the Commonwealth. I am looking forward to being able to continue the recent work of other young Falkland Islanders in promoting our messages internationally”.
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Could be a useful initiative for Falklands reps to make special approach those states' reps at Commonwealth Youth Parliament.
They neither need or want Argentina.
And swap our queen for Cristina? Do one.
As far as I am aware they don't. I think this is because China is responsible for defence and foreign policy and so membership of the Commonwealth would be incompatible with the Chinese.
The deal with Hong Kong is that it is run along existing lines for 50 years (until 2047) after which it becomes a fully integrated part of China.This is something that the resident HK Chinese population are not too happy about - they have chosen to keep their “colonial” street names - Waterloo Road, Nathan Road etc as well as the “Princess Margaret Hospital”. They are clearly under no pressure from the UK to retain these names - it is their choice and I'm sure they would have joined the Commonwealth if the chance was offered.
Hong Kong is not really comparable to The Falklands - most of it it (not all) was leased to the British and so we were bound by agreement to return it. What was left (HK Island) was not felt to be viable. The only route I see for the Falklands (if they choose not to remain a UK BOT) is full independence and Commonwealth membership. There would then be the small matter of defence which the Commonwealth could undertake collectively but I think it's a long way off and depends on how bellicose Argentina remains.
The idea of the Falklands becoming part of Argentina and yet stay in the Commonwealth is a non starter - mainly because Argentina has no legitimate claim over the Islands and refuses to get arbitration from the ICJ)
From recent events, it appears that China doesn't intend to keep to its agreement to continue existing arrangements for 50 years.
Of course HK isn't comparable to the Falkland Islands. For a start, Hong Kong wasn't completely “ours”. Then, the population was mostly ethnically Chinese. And we would have been heavily outnumbered in the case of armed conflict. By comparison, we can beat argieland with both feet in buckets, one arm tied behind our backs and wearing blindfolds.
BK likes making these stupid suggestions. Because he's stupid and, if he/she/it ever has been, hasn't been in the UK for years. It's easy to check this. Get him to comment on something known to most Brits but that doesn't appear in, say, online news sites. He hasn't a clue.
Don't forget to let him know what you think of the Wicked Botox Ugly Witch of the Southern Cesspit!
Good idea about the Falkland Islands joining the Commonwealth. But after independence (if they choose that route).
Anyone.
As they take part in the Commmonwealth Games, aren't the FIs already in the Commonwealth?
If Argentina/OAS had any sense they could use the Falklands as an independent state to provide beneficial political/commercial links between the Commonwealth and Europe and South America for SA's benefit.
Sadly, there is too much navel gazing in Argentina for them to take advantage of that potential opportunity.
You must be joking. Our Queen is far superior to yours.
We'll stick with ours thank you very much.
You can keep yours.
There is no comparison between the Falklands & Hong Kong.
The Falklands have always been ours.
We have no obligation in anyway to any country about this: certainly not Argentina.
Only part of HK was ours, the rest was leased from China.
We had an obligation to hand back that part if China would not renew the lease.
The Chinese did not want to renew the lease & so we handed it back.
End of story. l know the HK residents didn't want to revert to China, BUT, the lease was up.
Finis.
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