Visit of British leaders, “we want them to know our culture and our problems” — MercoPress

Barkman: “We hope Sir Hoyle and Amanda can attend the Goose Green Liberation Memorial; there they will be able to appreciate the culture and rural life in the Falklands”

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It was with great enthusiasm and as a major event that the Falklands MP-elect, MLA Teslyn Barkman described the visits by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle and the Foreign Office Minister for Overseas Territories, Amanda Milling. MP, who are expected in the Islands starting this Friday.

“First and foremost it will be a familiarization visit”, explained the legislator, highlighting that extensive conversations have already been held with both leaders, regarding matters that matter to the Falklands, but there is also the benefit that they can appreciate the situation personally with their presence in the islands.

“I have talked a lot with Amanda Milling about climate change for example. There are big areas of work that have been identified by both the UK and Falklands governments and they can be of benefit to both.”

“Whether it’s peat banks or fisheries management in the Southwest Atlantic, it’s the only one left in the world without a fisheries agreement, and it certainly is needed,” added MLA Barkman.

The legislator said that these topics have been promoted by the representative of the Foreign Office since last November and with the “support of other members of Parliament with ministerial responsibilities, we have been able to make considerable progress with DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, of the United Kingdom)”.

“The support has been invaluable but being able to show you firsthand the effects of our increasingly dry climate, and educate you on the economy and show you how fragile our policy and legal departments are, is going to be really really important.”

MLA Barkman said they also hoped distinguished visitors would be able to attend the Goose Green Liberation Memorial, to “appreciate what culture and rural life is like in the Falklands”.

However, the Falklands legislator stressed that what is really crucial will be to speak to Sir Lindsay and Ms Milling about the effects of Brexit for the Falklands.

”When you are here and you can explain to them the programmed investment plan and then you inform them where 60% of the resources come from, and if they impose tariffs on you, it has a great effect, not only for the government’s income but also on how the industry operates, invests, and will invest, while the whole set will have a great impact on society, it is an opportunity to take advantage of“.

Finally, MLA Barkman argued that Sir Lindsay has been a great friend and promoter of the Falklands and “instrumental” in raising the profile of the Falklands, and of the Overseas Territories in general, in the British Parliament.

Finally let us say that although Sir Hoyle has been to the Islands before this is the first time that a sitting Speaker of the House of Commons has visited the Falkland Islands. Sir Hoyle is scheduled to preside over a session of the Legislative Assembly of the Islands.

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