MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands' lawmakers meet Foreign Secretary Hammond and Defence chief Fallon

MLA Jan Cheek, Hugo Swire, FIG's representative Sukey Cameron and MLA Ian Hansen at the Falklands stand in the Tories conference in Birmingham

The Falkland Islands Government’s stand at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham (28 September to 01 October) was extremely busy with visitors. Situated in a prime location, MLAs Jan Cheek and Ian Hansen and the Falkland Islands Government Representative, Sukey Cameron MBE, were able to meet with a large number of delegates, including MPs and Parliamentary Candidates.

 The Conference attracted the highest number of delegates since 1986 with some 14,000 attendees.

The event gave Falklands' MLAs the opportunity to meet with the newly appointed Foreign Secretary, Rt. Hon. Philip Hammond MP and the newly appointed Secretary of State for Defence, Rt.Hon. Michael Fallon MP, both of whom were very supportive of the Islands.

Foreign Secretary Hammond underlined the British government's commitment to the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar in his speech to conference, saying “……..playing a vital role in the Conservative plan to secure a better future for Britain. And by the way, that includes securing the future of Britain’s Overseas Territories. With a Conservative Government there will be no sell-outs, no back-room deals, no betrayals of Gibraltar or the Falkland Islands. We will defend their right to remain proudly British for as long as that is their wish.”

The conference also enabled to MLAs to meet up with the Foreign Office Minister with responsibility for the Islands, Rt.Hon. Hugo Swire MP, who last February visited the Falklands.

MLA Jan Cheek and FIG Representative Sukey Cameron will travel to Glasgow on Saturday to attend the Liberal Democrat Conference which runs until 8th October.