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.
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.
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.
A total of 1,517 valid votes were cast, meaning that 92% of the islanders eligible to vote took part.
The result of the referendum may be a foregone conclusion but the Island's Government - and Britain - hopes it will send a signal.
Next week's islanders are expected to vote overwhelming to remain an Overseas Territority of the UK, but will Argentina listen?