Falklanders vote to stay British
The Falkland Islands have voted overwhelmingly in a referendum to remain a British territory, with 98.8% voting in favour. Just three people of 1,517 votes cast were against it.
Latest ITV News reports
Falkland Islanders to assert themselves in referendum
Falkland Islanders have spoken but deadlock persists
The result of a referendum on whether Falkland Islanders wish to remain British was no surprise, and neither was Argentina's decision to ignore it.
Almost everyone who was able to vote did so, and overwhelmingly in favour of keeping the Falkland Islands part of the British territories.
ITV News International Editor Bill Neely reports from Port Stanley:
Cameron 'delighted' at message from Falklands' vote
David Cameron's Office tweeted a picture of the Prime Minister congratulating the Chair of Falklands Legislative Assembly, Gavin Short by phone. Mr Cameron said he was "delighted" that the message from the Falklands was clear, that they are "British through and through".
Advertisement
Governor: Falkland Islanders 'optimistic' for the future
Nigel Haywood, Governor of the Falkland Islands told ITV News that, "this is a very bright, very lively place with a lot of optimism about he future for the economy of the Islands and the future of the Islands."
Speaking about the Government's response to the poll Mr Haywood said;
"I think the Islanders have never been in any doubt about the strength of support in Britain for the Falkland Islands.
"The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have made that very clear. But it's been very reassuring to have such an immediate response today to the results and that will help the confidence and the optimism of the Islanders for the future."
Alexander: 'Falkland islanders resisted pressure from Argentina'
– Douglas Alexander, Shadow foreign secretaryThe Falkland islanders have resisted overt and unhelpful pressure from the Argentinean government in the run-up to this referendum.
However, they have now had the chance to put their views about their sovereignty firmly on the record.
This referendum was a democratic process, overseen by international observers and has now made clear, once and for all, the view of the islanders.
David Cameron 'delighted' with Falklands result
David Cameron has said that he is 'delighted with the Falkland Island result.'
The Prime Minister said, "it's the clearest possible result. The Falklands may be thousands of miles away but they are British through and through. We're there to defend them."
Falklanders who voted against staying in UK 'will never admit it'
As 99.8% of Falkland Islanders voted in favour of remaining a UK territory, the Guardian's Latin America Correspondent Jonathan Watts said the three people who voted against "would never admit it":
I asked one islander tonight who the Falklands Three (those who didn't vote for UK rule) might be. "No-one will ever admit it," he replied.
From @jonathanwatts on Twitter:A total of 1,517 valid votes were cast, meaning that 92% of the islanders eligible to vote took part.
Advertisement
Cameron tells Argentina to 'take note' of referendum
David Cameron has called on Argentina to respect the wishes of the people of the Falkland Islands after they voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory.
The Prime Minister said that Argentina should take "careful note" of the referendum result and that Britain would always be there to defend the Falkland Islanders.
Falkland Islanders celebrate referendum win
Falkland Islanders have been celebrating the referendum results after residents voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory, with 99.8% declaring themselves in favour during a two-day referendum in the capital Port Stanley.
A total of 1,517 valid votes were cast, a turnout of 92% of the islanders eligible to vote.
Falkland Islanders: 'Argentina must pay attention'
Falklands United on behalf of the Falklands United Movement have launched an outspoken attack on President Cristina Kirchner of Argentina in a statement released after the referendum results.
Tonight the Government of Argentina and the rest of the world heard our voice. It is a Falklands voice. It is a British voice.
Tonight is without doubt a very special moment for Falkland Islanders but even more so for democracy.
We have been treated by the Argentine Government as if we don’t exist – or at least as if we have no rights. We have been told that within twenty years our home will be under the control of a nation that we know does not have our best interests at heart. This will never happen and we have resolutely voted against that.
Argentina must pay attention and accept the result of our referendum. Failure to do so suggests that they have priorities other than democracy and freedom of people to choose their own future. In the modern world surely these priorities must be condemned.
These messages have been humbling and a sign that in addition to most of South America, Argentine citizens are growing tired of the Kirchner Government.
Falklands received 'supportive tweets' from Argentina
UK Representative for the Falklands Islands Government, Sukey Cameron, told Daybreak that the referendum result has shown the world that the Falklands has "a voice."
She said the rest of Southern America is coming round to the idea that the Falklands will stay British.
Mrs Cameron added that they had received a "lot of supportive tweets from people in Argentina."