MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update

Team members from Tornado Totty and Pleasant Peaks put their pulling powers to work at MPA

Headlines: Jets are a real drag; General Election signals a changing of the guard; Governor interviewed by Argentina’s largest newspaper (Page 3)

Jets are a real drag

THE might of the military’s fairer sex was put to the test at MPA on Saturday with a charity Tornado pull. Two teams of women - Tornado Totty and Pleasant Peaks – put their shoulders to the grindstone alongside their male counterparts as 12 teams flexed their muscles against two of the 22-tonne fighter jets. RIC emerged eventual winners, beating RRC in a hotly fought final pull-off, and donated their winnings to the Royal Irish Benevolent Fund. Another £1,500 was raised for a hospital in Kathmandu at a function in the evening.

General Election signals a changing of the guard

AT least two new faces will join the ranks of councillors representing the Falkland Islands Government for its next four-year term.

With Richard Cockwell and Mike Rendell stepping down, and Janet Robertson undecided whether she will stand, the stage is set for a changing of the guard for the Legislative Assembly at the November 5 election.

Of the remaining councillors who served in the now dissolved Assembly, Ian Hansen and Richard Stevens (Camp) have both confirmed they will stand again, as have John Birmingham, Andrea Clausen and Mike Summers.

Others who have announced their intention to stand for election are Roger Edwards from Lake Sulivan on West Falkland and Sharon Halford from San Carlos on East Falkland for Camp. Jan Cheek, Jackie Cotter, Emma Edwards and Gavin Short have confirmed that they are standing for Stanley. Lewis Clifton, Mike Forrest and Eric Goss confirmed that they were still giving the matter some consideration but had not reached a final decision on whether to stand.

Those who are still considering standing for election have until October 15 to collect and return nomination papers to the Returning Officer, Tim Thorogood.

As with the previous Assembly, five members for Stanley and three for the Camp constituency will be elected. His Excellency the Governor declared the Assembly dissolved on Friday and appointed November 10 as the date for the first sitting of the new Assembly. Deputy Returning Officer John Rowland said voting would take place in Stanley Town Hall with static polling stations also at Fox Bay and Goose Green.

Hill Cove and Port Howard on West Falkland and Hope Cottage on East Falkland will have polling units for a few hours.

Outer island residents need to apply to Mr Rowland to be added to the postal list and will receive their voting slip in the mail with collection by FIGAS prior to the election.

As part of the Government’s drive to make savings in all departments, the number of mobile polling stations has been reduced from previous elections.

The cost of chartering an Islander aircraft from FIGAS has increased from £500 to £900 per hour and has been taken into consideration when making arrangements for the Camp polling stations, said Mr Rowland.

At the last election in 2005, 69 per cent of Stanley voters turned out and 86 per cent of Camp constituents made their way to the polling stations. This was a slight increase on the 2001 turnout.

In 2005 three members of the previous Legislative Council retained their seats. Richard Cockwell, Ian Hansen and Mike Summers were joined by Andrea Clausen, Richard Davies, Mike Rendell, Janet Robertson and Richard Stevens.

There were 12 candidates competing for the five Stanley seats with five candidates for Camp.

Governor interviewed by Argentina’s largest newspaper: Page 3