British columnist proposes London take half of Falklands oil revenues

Sunday, September 20th 2026 - 00:25 UTC

Full article 5 comments

A column published on Saturday in the British newspaper The Telegraph proposed that the UK Treasury take half of the tax revenues generated by the Falklands oil industry, in exchange for increased defense spending in the South Atlantic and a diplomatic push against Argentina. Read full article

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portman
seems sensible and reasonable proposal. revenue share is the best way for falklands defence to be assured seeing that the cost can vary considerably subject to whatever costing method is applied, such as full or additional or any where in between. the cost of an army of auditors would also have to be included in order to certify accuracy of expenditure on whatever cost method was chosen. in any event the burden on the uk taxpayer needs to be reduced having regard to nato commitments, defence of all overseas territories and most importantly the mother country itself.
Sep 21st, 2026 - 11:43 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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Mike Summers
Mr Lynn is clearly an old time colonialist, with little comprehension of the modern world. The UK cannot just “take” Falklands oil revenues, they belong to the Government and people of the Falkland Islands. I have no doubt future Falkland Islands Governments will contribute generously to the cost of defence, for as long as Argentina continues its own colonial aspirations to take over the Falkland Islands.
Sep 21st, 2026 - 11:50 am - Link - Report abuse +1
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Islander1
Mike is correct,
15yrs ago after the main exploratory drilling round our then elected Assemble agreed that if and when production and tax income started to flow in that we would indeed look gradually to contribute to our Defence costs - as do Gibraltar and as Hong Kong used to when it was still British.
Our share would basically be the net logistics costs)we make a contribution of a million or so anyway towards the RAF twice weekly flight from Brize Norton and permanent construction etc - the servicemen and women are paid by the UK taxpayer and if not in the Falklands would just be posted back to the UK or somewhere else.
Sep 21st, 2026 - 11:57 am - Link - Report abuse +1
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The English Pirate
Ah, another plonker with delusions of adequacy who thinks that their opinion on the future of the Falklands matters to anybody. Get a job with the Argie govt mate, you'll fit right in!!
Sep 21st, 2026 - 04:30 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
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Livepeanuts
That is fantastic news from Mrr Summers, I hope that the islanders contribute to the defence of the territory, seas and oil installations once the business starts to be profitable.
We must not be in a hurry at this time, and we must celebrate this positive development and show that we are united.
If there were a considerable revenue it wouldn't sit well with the tax payers in the UK who have generously contributed blood and treasure not to share also the good things, sharing only the bad things and obligations will bring resentment.
A fair settlement, on the other hand, will bring us closer together and we all will be much happier.
It is not about being colonialists but envy is nobody's friend, it can do a lot of damage which we don't want.
Sep 21st, 2026 - 09:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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