Falklands vote to stay British

The results of the Falkland Islands referendum are just in. The question was:

Do you wish the Falkland Islands to retain their current political status as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom?

There are 1,672 adults eligible to vote. 1,517 votes were cast which is a 90.73% turnout.

There was one invalid vote. Excluding that there were 1,513 yes votes and three no votes. That is a yes vote percentage of 99.80%.

The Argentinian claim to the islands is flimsy – their period of sovereignty was a total of two months – from December 1832 to January 1833. It is also worth noting that on three occasions the UK offered to take the dispute to mediation with the International Court of Justice. Argentina has declined every time.

The right to self-determination is the key issue for me. The residents are mainly descended from families who have lived there since the 1830s. This is their home, and their only home.  Their wishes must remain paramount.