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Falklands: Referendum on Single Constituency on Thursday 7 November 2019

Wednesday, August 29th 2018 - 07:19 UTC
Full article 33 comments

The Falkland Islands Government has announced that on Thursday 7 November 2019, it will hold a referendum asking people whether they want a single constituency for the whole of the Islands. Read full article

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  • Think

    Again...?

    Campers..., vote NO... or prepare to dissapear...

    Yours truly..., from the continental Camp...
    El Think...

    Aug 29th, 2018 - 08:28 am - Link - Report abuse -3
  • Roger Lorton

    And what on earth would it have to do with you Think? You are merely a foreigner and democracy has long been a mystery to you. The people can decide.

    Aug 29th, 2018 - 08:50 am - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Brit Bob

    The islanders have a voted to remain ‘Associated with the UK' their legal right.

    Falklands – Freely Determined Political Status (1 pg):
    https://www.academia.edu/36555342/Falklands_-_Freely_Determined_Political_Status.pdf

    Aug 29th, 2018 - 08:54 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    Dear Mr. Lorton...

    And what on Earth would it have to do with you Mr. Roger Lorton...? You are merely a Brummie Farang in Thailand..., deprived of most basic human and economical rights..., who chooses to live under a military dictatorship..., a megalomanic king called Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun... and a “Lèse Majesté” law that makes it a serious crime to speak badly even about that stupid king's ugly pets...
    (Careful what you answer..., Roger... You know they are reading now... ;-)

    Returning to the Malvinas Islands...
    The Kelper campers know exactly what I am referring to when I recommend a NO vote...
    Even if they are not more than 10% of the population of the Malvinas Islands..., they still hold the key of their own survival if they united vote against that Single Constituency Scheme of the Puerto Estanley city slickers...

    -As things have wisely been organized until now in them windblown Islands..., the Campers can choose to survive or dissapear...
    Lets keep it that way...
    El camper Think

    Aug 29th, 2018 - 09:50 am - Link - Report abuse -3
  • Roger Lorton

    Actually I am a Brummie in Kent .... although sadly I don't share the local's language or sense of humour (southerners don't have one).

    You, on the other hand, continue to talk through your rear. The Islanders are quite capable of making their own decisions without 'recommendation' from foreigners. I don't make any.

    Aug 29th, 2018 - 10:35 am - Link - Report abuse +4
  • Think

    Rodge dear...

    1) As a Socialdemocrat Internationalist..., I don't share your Engrish Tory disdain of foreigners...
    2) As a Continental Patagonia camper..., I share a lot with my Insular Patagonia camper mates...
    3) My recomendation stands... Vote NO..., Kelpers...

    Aug 29th, 2018 - 10:45 am - Link - Report abuse -3
  • Roger Lorton

    1) No, you just like to stick you oar in
    2) With the distances involved, a bit like saying that I share a lot with my Parisian mates (of who I have none)
    3) Their choice, although your keenness for the one side would certainly make me seriously consider voting the other way

    Aug 29th, 2018 - 10:53 am - Link - Report abuse +2
  • Think

    Rodge..., Rodge...

    1) Your mistrust on your fellow men..., is certainly something that you would share with your Parisian copper mates...(if you had any)

    2) Did me keenness for the Engrish Brexit “YES” side make you seriously consider voting the other way...?

    3) Chuckle..., chuckle...

    Aug 29th, 2018 - 11:06 am - Link - Report abuse -3
  • falklandlad

    There are good reasons for continuation of Camp constituency - the “soul” of the Falklands - as there are for combining into an inclusive constituency. Merits in both positions set out by El Think and Mr Lorton. The referendum terms sounds like a possible fudge or muddying tool. Needs very careful consideration, and not trigger a rush to change because of population dynamics.

    Aug 29th, 2018 - 12:53 pm - Link - Report abuse +2
  • Think

    Mr. Falklanlad..., me dear lad...

    You say...:
    ***“Merits in both positions set out by El Think and Mr Lorton.”***

    I say...:
    Would you please explain the merits in Mr. Lorton's position...?
    Is it his democratic...: ***“The people can decide.”*** position...?
    If so..., we can close Camp today and convert it into an Open Air Museum...!
    Ya know that the “Single Constituency” would win by ~75% of the votes..., don't ya...?
    Ya know that the only thing stopping that is the existence of the “Double Constituency”... don't ya...?

    Camp gu bràth...
    El Think...

    Aug 29th, 2018 - 01:39 pm - Link - Report abuse -3
  • GALlamosa

    The decision to call a referendum in the terms proposed is poor and lazy thinking. If there is a democratic deficit in some part of the Islands, then examine the issues at hand and propose some solutions for the electorate to consider. Leaping straight to a single constituency as the only “solution” is not the way to go. I hope Campers will be afforded the opportunity of a proper debate with all the issues set out for consideration.

    Aug 29th, 2018 - 02:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • falklandlad

    Mr Think, it seems GAL interprets a similar position to mine - I tried to be a tad more diplomatic - but seems to confirm your position. What are the actual costs of maintaining a two consitutency? Costs of organising and holding a general election once every 4 years. Insignificant, in the scheme of things. A single constituency makes for lazy administration, which the bean counters would relish, and deflect the real issue of how to retain the traditional “soul” of the Falklands. GAL gives some substance to the debate; leaping straight to a single constituency as the only solution is not the only way to go, especially as the existing constitution (much as you may dislike it Mr Think) provides for others who hold camp dear and who may not reside there, to stand and represent a political boundary and a sense of belonging, often under unnecessary scrutiny.

    Aug 29th, 2018 - 07:01 pm - Link - Report abuse +2
  • Think

    TWIMC

    How very “Engrish Gentry” the new Kelper generation talks nowadays...!
    - “Poor and lazy thinking”...
    - “Democratic deficit in some part of the Islands”...
    - “Hope Campers will be afforded the opportunity of a proper debate”...
    - “Lazy administration, which the bean counters would relish”...
    - “Others who hold camp dear and who may not reside there, to stand and represent a political boundary”...

    Geeeeeeeeeeeeeee......
    Gimme them auld Kelper geezers with their few four letter words and their ineqjivocal clear concepts back...
    Those were the real “Soul” of the Malvinas..., sorely missing today...

    Aug 29th, 2018 - 07:16 pm - Link - Report abuse -2
  • falklandlad

    Ah Mr Think, its unfortunate that you think of Kelpers in such a discriminating way, belittling those who while they may have lacked a formal education nevertheless toiled long and hard to give the Falklands the future it enjoys today. Regrettably that view is retained up the Patagonian highway in that infamous pink house of yours; the Kelper, uneducated, untravelled, poor herders of sheep and land squatters - time has moved on and reality prevails. Time to change Mr Think?

    Aug 29th, 2018 - 07:26 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Think

    Mr. Falklandlad...
    Your talk may be “Engrish gentrilike” but your Engrish reading comprehension certainly isn't...
    Try to re-read me above post again with some attention...., laddie...
    I'm NOT belittling no Auld Kelper geezers..., no sir...!
    On the contrary..., I'm praising them...
    Capisce now...?

    Aug 29th, 2018 - 07:48 pm - Link - Report abuse -2
  • Roger Lorton

    Think enjoy's playing with words. He will be claiming next that his use of the name 'Kelper' is high praise.

    Aug 30th, 2018 - 04:58 am - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Think

    Me dear Ex Engrish Copper in Siam...

    Indeed it is...!

    When an otherwise contrasting meaning is pined for..., I usually precede the “Kelper” noun with the appropriate descriptive adjective/s...

    Aug 30th, 2018 - 09:20 am - Link - Report abuse -1
  • DemonTree

    After looking at some Argie newspapers and seeing what else they call them (pirates, squatters, Malvinenses), I'd say 'kelper' is about as good as it gets.

    But after 17 posts, I still don't see anyone supporting the idea of a single constituency. What is the benefit supposed to be?

    Aug 30th, 2018 - 10:31 am - Link - Report abuse +1
  • falklandlad

    DT, unfortunately these days quite a bit of commentary is done via facebook, which limits discussion here. Elder statesman former Councillor Bill Luxton has much to say (on holiday), but I guess not a follower of MP these days. He would add some colourful interjection, and validity to retention of 2 constituency system!

    Aug 30th, 2018 - 11:31 am - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Think

    Simples...:

    Current “Double Constituency. System”..:
    Camp population................: ~10% of Islands total...
    Camp GDP contribution.....: ~5% of Islands total...
    Camp Public Expenditure...: ~35% of Islands total...

    Upcoming Single Constituency System...:
    Camp population................: ~10% of Islands total...
    Camp GDP contribution.....: ~5% of Islands total...
    Camp Public Expenditure...: ???% of Islands total...

    Capisce...?

    Aug 30th, 2018 - 11:36 am - Link - Report abuse -1
  • falklandlad

    Mr Think, you're complicating simplicity and making it too easy for everyone to understand. Just KIS (double S).

    Aug 30th, 2018 - 11:58 am - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Think

    “Simplifying” simplicity..., ya mean...?
    KISS..., as in “Keep It Simple Sweety”..., ya mean...?

    Aug 30th, 2018 - 12:47 pm - Link - Report abuse -1
  • falklandlad

    Indeed, 'tis the more kind version.

    Aug 30th, 2018 - 12:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    Speaking about simpliciy...

    Many a critic word has been written in here during the years about the Wabi-Sabi state of our cemetery in Malvinas...

    I can see that our above mentioned veteran Camper friend..., Bill L.., likes it just the way I do... ;-)
    http://www.fig.gov.fk/archives/images/Camp_Cemetery_Headstones/Chartres_-_Cemetery.jpg

    Aug 30th, 2018 - 01:27 pm - Link - Report abuse -1
  • DemonTree

    I see. If the camp is only 10% of the population then it won't really matter how they vote in the referendum, though. It'll all depend on the people in town.

    Bill Luxton was one of the people exiled by Argentina during the war? Facebook etc have nearly killed forums, it's a shame. On Facebook people mostly talk to their friends, but forums are open to everyone and usually based on interests.

    Aug 30th, 2018 - 01:29 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Think

    Yupppp..., you see..., Mr. DemonTree....

    And them Puerto Estanley city slickers Kelpers ain't gonna sit on their fat arses and give them Camper yokel Kelpers no one penny more than what they demo/mathematically deserve... from their “Hard Earned” GDP monies comprised mainly of Pirate Fishing licenses sold by Puerto Estanley to predominantly Asian Slave Fishing Fleets...

    Simples...

    Aug 30th, 2018 - 02:00 pm - Link - Report abuse -1
  • DemonTree

    City slickers, heh. Even Ely has 8 times the population. But apart from the fishing, doesn't the rest of the economy ultimatly depend on the countryside, for tourism and farming?

    Also, I thought a lot of the fishing boats were Spanish. Who buys Argentine fishing licences?

    Aug 30th, 2018 - 02:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    Both 'ave three Pubs..., I reckon...;-)

    Aug 30th, 2018 - 02:18 pm - Link - Report abuse -1
  • DemonTree

    They do say we're losing more pubs every year, but things aren't quite that bad yet. ;) I wonder how many there are in Chubut? You've got a smaller population than Cambridgeshire.

    Aug 30th, 2018 - 02:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    I fail to see why anybody addresses or responds to Twinkie. As I recall, he has previously been shown to be a meddling expat residing in Denmark. At what point in time has he ever said anything useful, positive or truthful?

    Is it not time that he was totally ignored? No matter how subversive or provocative he gets.

    Aug 30th, 2018 - 09:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    2001...,2011..., 2019...

    God bless the 2/3 rule...

    Camp gu bràth...
    El Think...

    Sep 01st, 2018 - 06:54 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • R. Ben Madison

    @Roger Lorton

    > ”sense of humour (southerners don't have one)”

    You sound a lot like Jeremy Corbyn there.

    Sep 03rd, 2018 - 06:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    Woooooooooow.....
    I gor a positive vote above...!
    Must be me auld Fox Bay bestie..., WestIsBest...;-)))

    Sep 03rd, 2018 - 12:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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