MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands lawmaker on political visit to New Zealand and Australia

MLA Summers will meet officials, politicians and academics plus giving a few speeches

Mike Summers Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands will visit New Zealand and Australia this week as part of a regional tour where he will present the Falklands as a modern, thriving democracy and address the Falkland Islanders right to self determination. There are long-standing links between the countries, and this tour hopes to build upon existing relationships.

 MLA Summers is one of the eight elected members of the Legislative Assembly, and holds one of the five seats of the Stanley constituency. In addition, MLA Summers is currently one of the three members of the Executive Council. MLA Summers portfolio responsibilities include Health & Public Protection, Regulatory Services, Treasury and Finance. MLA Summers is also the Deputy Chair of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board.

MLA Summers will arrive in Wellington on Wednesday 29th January, before continuing on to Palmerston North on Friday 31st January. During his time in Wellington, MLA Summers is expected to meet with local politicians, academics and members of the community with an affiliation to the Falkland Islands.

Mr Summers will also make a public speech on the Falkland Islanders' rights to self determination and he will visit Palmerston North Boys High School to pay respects to a former student who gave his life during the 1982 Falklands conflict.

In addition to his role as a Member of Legislative Assembly, Mike Summers is also the Chairman of the Falkland Islands Overseas Games Association, and will hopefully attend this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, representing the Falkland Islands.

In related news the Falklands Legislative Assembly announced on Monday that due to an important vote in Parliament on Immigration the Whips have revoked absences from the House and therefore the forthcoming visit of three Members of Parliament has been cancelled.

The three members of the UK Parliament were expected next week for a short visit and they included Conservative party members Guy Opperman and Mark Menzies, and Labor Party member Yvonne Fovargue, the Shadow Minister for Defense. They were scheduled to arrive on January 30, departing on February 4.