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Falklands’ lawmaker underlines that “self-governance” is achievable and points to March referendum

Monday, September 2nd 2013 - 19:23 UTC
Full article 52 comments
MLA Roger Edwards, the referendum was a strong and clear message to the outside world on the political views of the Falkland Islands people MLA Roger Edwards, the referendum was a strong and clear message to the outside world on the political views of the Falkland Islands people

Falkland Islands’ lawmaker Roger Edwards said that ‘self-governance or sovereignty was achievable’ and pointed out to the March 2013 referendum when an overwhelming majority of the Falklands’ people decided to support the current sovereign status.

”In March 2013, the current (Falklands) legislature assembly held a referendum in which the question of sovereignty was discussed. 99.8% voted in favor of retaining the current sovereign status. This is a strong and clear message to the outside world on the political views of the Falkland Islands people. By the referendum we have demonstrated to the world our wish to exercise self determination and be self governing”, said MLA Edwards speaking at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference as reported by the Johannesburg media in South Africa.

Self-governance in small states is vital for self-sufficiency and internal growth, but is self-governance merely an unachievable ideal? That was the question under scrutiny in the third plenary session of the Small Branches Conference at the CPA (Self-Determination, Self-Sufficiency and Self-Governance) with participation besides MLA Rogers of delegates from Jersey and the Isle of Man.

Self-determination is the cornerstone of the United Nations Charter, but is this attainable for small states that require assistance from external sources? Mr John Martin Refault from Jersey thinks not.

“In my view the only way to achieve self-governance, is to be living totally isolated from the outside world and not relying on external influences.” Trade links, cultural links and other external links impact and influence the governance of small states. Mr Refault added: “Self-determination in the purest form is not achievable; it is only achievable by consensus with the external forces that impact us.”

Although self-governance can be, to some degree, attainable, do small states achieve this through evolution or revolution? Mr Leonard Singer from the Isle of Man suggested evolution rather than revolution in achieving self-governance. He argued that the key to self-determination, self-sufficiency and self-governance was gradual change and strong argument rather than revolutionary actions.

“The resolve to seek self-determination and self-governance in stages by powerful argument, particularly over the past 60 years, has given us stability in our way of life and the open way that government is run” said Singer.

The Isle of Man delegate added that peaceful but robust questioning of policies, which are discussed in public and in social media, can draw government into discussion on true reform and change.

“The violent revolution can bring its own need for powerful control resulting in further violence creating a vicious circle of regression and recrimination,” he said.
 

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  • malen

    The question of sovereignity cant be discussed on a referendum. Get facts right. The question was made by britishs if they want to remain british. Nothing we didnt know already.

    Sep 02nd, 2013 - 09:06 pm 0
  • GFace

    Remaining British as opposed to being Argentine? Or remaining Polish/Dutch/Danish/Czech as opposed to German? You malvanistas really are thickest bunch. You have no clue whatsoever as to how badly you look to the rest of the world (even dare I say, your closest neighbors).

    Is Argentina taking the UK to the ICJ? No (not today, not tomorrow not ever because they know they have no case). Will they comply with 20t65? No they walked away in February for the most embarrassingly childish of reasons that everyone else outside of you childish bubble saw clear as crystal, rather than act like a statesman worthy of international respect.

    There IS no sovereignty dispute, because your government has no interest in it. They have effectively vacated the conduits to pursue it on the adult world stage. They just need the Islands as an “unresolved” matter making your country “incomplete” and “wounded” so they can ring Las Malvinas Bell so you can drool like trained dogs and forget and ignore what CFK and her government is doing to your country. The Junta pulled it on you in 82 and you cheered them on, and sure enough CFK is playing you like a cheap ukulele, falling for it again.

    Sep 02nd, 2013 - 09:48 pm 0
  • dab14763

    'The question of sovereignity cant be discussed on a referendum.'

    It can. And it was.

    'Get facts right.'

    They did.

    'The question was made by britishs if they want to remain british. '

    No Malen, The referendum was about the sovereignty of the territory, not about the citizenship of the inhabitants.

    “Do you wish the Falkland Islands to retain their current political status as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom?”

    'Nothing we didnt know already.'

    Well, here's something you didn't know.

    Sep 02nd, 2013 - 10:13 pm 0
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