Falkland Islanders Vote To Remain British

By Ian Woods, Senior Correspondent, in Stanley

The people of the Falkland Islands have voted overwhlemingly to remain British - with only three chosing "No" in a referendum.

The two-day ballot saw 1,513 people answer "Yes" to staying as a British Overseas Territory -  99.8% of those who took part. Just as pleasing for the organisers was a turnout of 92% of eligible voters.

Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the result on Arch Green in the capital Stanley, singing Land Of Hope And Glory and Rule Britannia.

One woman told Sky News: "It sends such a strong message to the world that we've been here for a long time.

"We have the right to determine our own future. How long do you have to live in a country before you're allowed to call it your own?"

The referendum had been organised after a deterioration in relations with Argentina, which claims the Falklands and in 1982 invaded the islands it calls Las Malvinas.

During the war to take back the islands, 255 British serviceman died as well as 655 Argentinians and three locals.

After a period when relations appeared to be warming, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner restated her country's claims of sovereignty and tried to raise the issue both with David Cameron and the UN.

Falkland Islanders during a 'Proud To Be British' march

Even though the government in Buenos Aires dismissed the referendum as illegitimate and refuses to talk to local politicians, the people of the Falklands hope that other countries in South and Central America will be more sympathetic.

Independent monitors from some of those nations confirmed that the poll was free and fair, and without intimidation or interference.

As the counting took place in Stanley Town Hall it quickly became clear the piles of "Yes" votes were growing steadily, while "No" votes could not be seen.

But there was a delay in announcing the result because during counting one vote had gone missing, or had not been counted.

After discussions between the returning officer and election monitors, it was decided it was not worth recounting the votes for a singe missing ballot.

It means the Falklands will continue to run its own affairs, but shelter under the wing of the motherland when it comes to defence and foreign policy.

Falklands' legislators know the referendum will be dismissed by the Argentine government, but one of them, Dick Sawle had this message for President Kirchner.

"Listen, this is what we've said and it's time you respected our human rights," he said.

"It's time you stopped harassing us; it's time you stopped your very aggressive stance towards us.

"We'll be taking that message to various governments and saying 'look, self determination is a fundamental human right, you can't ignore it'. This is what the people of the Falklands have said. Do you have a problem with that?"

Following the referendum result, Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "All countries should accept the results of this referendum and support the Falkland Islanders as they continue to develop their home and their economy. I wish them every success in doing so."

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