Two significant items of business were conducted during the first meeting of the newly elected Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands. The first was the election by members of the Speaker of the House and his or her Deputy.
Residents of the Falkland Islands went to the polls yesterday, with results released earlier this morning. Seventeen candidates stood for election to the Legislative Assembly and have campaigned over the past month to be elected to office.
Saturday 31st January saw the culmination of a week of celebrations in the Falkland Islands commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Union Flag being raised on Saunders Island. Commodore John Byron placed the flag in 1765 signifying the start of British rule in the Falkland Islands.
Personality clashes in an elected assembly of a small community where virtually everybody knows each other, such is the case of the Falkland Islands and its almost 3.000 residents, was one of the issues discussed during an electoral debate ahead of the 7 November General Election chaired by the local radio station, FIRS, and Penguin News.
Preparations are under way in the Falkland Islands for a General Election to be held on November 7 this year and 4.30pm on October 17th marks the last moments for would be Members of the Islands Legislative Council to announce their candidacy. This year the list of candidates will be subject to particular scrutiny.
United States Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart released a statement after introducing a House Resolution recognizing the Falkland Islands referendum which was held March 10/11 with an overwhelming turnout and result.
With the next general election for Legislative Assembly Members for the Falkland Islands Government less than a year away, public consultation has begun on whether the posts should become full time with an appropriate salary paid.