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Most Brits would either be unbothered or pleased if the Malvinas went to Argentina

SystemSystem Posts: 12,062
edited October 4 in General
imageMost Brits would either be unbothered or pleased if the Malvinas went to Argentina– politicalbetting.com

I am a bit surprised by these findings, those people expecting a terrible backlash for Starmer over the Chagos Islands will be shocked as I think more Brits value the Falkands than the Chagos Islands.

Read the full story here

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Comments

  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 61,634
    First. Like Canada.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,605
    edited October 4
    2nd like SKS in GE 2029 if he's lucky
  • The difference is what do the residents think?

    The way the Chagossians were treated was disgraceful.
    The Falkland Islanders have repeatedly and democratically made their views clear.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 53,665
    The Falklands War was over forty years ago. Half the country was born after it ended, and average iq is 100 - dumb as fuckery

    I doubt most people know what the “Falklands” are and they probably think “Malvinas” is a fruit cocktail or maybe a special dance
  • LeonLeon Posts: 53,665
    I agree with the threader however. I don’t think Chagos will particularly damage Labour/Starmer in the polls - the croissants have more cut through

    However

    1. It does add to the bad smell surrounding him and his party, the aura of incompetence and lies and

    2. It’s really damaged him with political and military experts - who are scorching him from all sides. Apart from Jeremy Corbyn. That may be important in the longer term
  • TazTaz Posts: 13,742
    The Legendary Scottish Sports Star, Jocky Wilson, was married to an Argentinian Lady called Malvina.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 59,255
    Yeah boĺlocks, and the polls wouldn't stay that.

    "Wouldn't bother me if my firm fired me. Fuck em."

    Oh, they actually have. The bustards.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 59,255
    The YouGov does show that 9-16% of the population are bona fide traitors though.

    Bet SSW is one of them.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 56,285

    The difference is what do the residents think?

    The way the Chagossians were treated was disgraceful.
    The Falkland Islanders have repeatedly and democratically made their views clear.

    Technically, haven't they only done it once?
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 59,255

    Gosh, the Falklands Conflict is over 40 years ago- as far back in time now as World War 2 was then. At some point, without anyone noticing, it's shifted from something we did in our epoch to something they did in the past.

    The other difference is that one of the legs supporting the Ulster peace process was the UK saying "we're only here as long as we're wanted". That's normalised that idea, I suspect. Keeping a bit of land because it's in our interests doesn't compute as well now as it might have done in the past. Ruling the waves sounds a bit... weird.

    Not in my eyes it doesn't.

    I think it's a good thing if we do rule the waves. We just don't invest enough in it.
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 36,824
    I’d bet Philippe Sands is one of the 9-16%.
  • geoffwgeoffw Posts: 8,559

    Gosh, the Falklands Conflict is over 40 years ago- as far back in time now as World War 2 was then. At some point, without anyone noticing, it's shifted from something we did in our epoch to something they did in the past.

    The other difference is that one of the legs supporting the Ulster peace process was the UK saying "we're only here as long as we're wanted". That's normalised that idea, I suspect. Keeping a bit of land because it's in our interests doesn't compute as well now as it might have done in the past. Ruling the waves sounds a bit... weird.

    I think you'll find the people who live there are quite keen not to be taken over by Argentina.
    Fortunately Milei has other things on his plate and he doesn't seem too keen on the Malvinas anyway

  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 41,382
    I'm actually surprised that as many as 35% would be "upset". That's an awful lot of Blimps we still have here in 2024.
  • Alphabet_SoupAlphabet_Soup Posts: 3,056
    The problem with the Falklands is that a population of 3662 rattle around 4700 square miles (half the area of Wales). Some of the inhabitants are presumably employed defending the others. They are quite literally a waste of space.

    There is, of course, the vexed question of oil reserves. I suggest we leave it in the ground in accordance with Government policy. Future generations will thank us.
  • geoffwgeoffw Posts: 8,559
    I was working in Finland in 1982 and the first I knew of the Falklands war was a striking Time Magazine headline on the news stands saying "The Empire Strikes Back" (referencing Star Wars for those too young to know). And actually for the first (and maybe the last) time it did make me feel a flush of pride in a "rules the waves" kind of way
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 16,662
    geoffw said:

    Gosh, the Falklands Conflict is over 40 years ago- as far back in time now as World War 2 was then. At some point, without anyone noticing, it's shifted from something we did in our epoch to something they did in the past.

    The other difference is that one of the legs supporting the Ulster peace process was the UK saying "we're only here as long as we're wanted". That's normalised that idea, I suspect. Keeping a bit of land because it's in our interests doesn't compute as well now as it might have done in the past. Ruling the waves sounds a bit... weird.

    I think you'll find the people who live there are quite keen not to be taken over by Argentina.
    Fortunately Milei has other things on his plate and he doesn't seem too keen on the Malvinas anyway

    And that's utterly consistent with "we're only here as long as we're wanted". Same with Gibraltar.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 53,665

    Yeah boĺlocks, and the polls wouldn't stay that.

    "Wouldn't bother me if my firm fired me. Fuck em."

    Oh, they actually have. The bustards.

    At some point these dull wankers are going to collide with Realpolitik, and realise how great powers will push you around, and actually kill you, if you are not prepared to use your own power (which we still have). Cf Ukraine, they should have kept their nukes, but alas

    This is one of the criminal aspects of the Chagos Treachery, we are handing a significant prize to China AND FOR NO REASON AT ALL. We haven’t even done right by the Chagossians, we’ve done right by China, who will now plunder those pristine waters, and menace the American base

    Sensationally stupid by Starmer, world class fuckwittery
  • MJWMJW Posts: 1,652
    Leon said:

    I agree with the threader however. I don’t think Chagos will particularly damage Labour/Starmer in the polls - the croissants have more cut through

    However

    1. It does add to the bad smell surrounding him and his party, the aura of incompetence and lies and

    2. It’s really damaged him with political and military experts - who are scorching him from all sides. Apart from Jeremy Corbyn. That may be important in the longer term


    Beyond the obvious that most people don't know/don't care - and there's now more of an instinct to think "why is it still British?" over "Wow, it's great it's still British" I think Labour are helped by the messiness of the Conservative involvement in previous versions of this deal.

    Even if you think they've struck a bad deal, it's less easier to characterise as a case of woke, unpatriotic Labour selling out Britain to appease its base when several leading Tories seem to have been open to it in principle, but quibbling over the details.

    To which, fair enough as a critique. But it doesn't play as easily into the broadbrush caricatures of Labour's attitudes towards patriotism that are often damaging.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 41,382
    Leon said:

    I agree with the threader however. I don’t think Chagos will particularly damage Labour/Starmer in the polls - the croissants have more cut through

    However

    1. It does add to the bad smell surrounding him and his party, the aura of incompetence and lies and

    2. It’s really damaged him with political and military experts - who are scorching him from all sides. Apart from Jeremy Corbyn. That may be important in the longer term

    Damaged him with the "political and military experts" at the Mucho Macho club? Yes, I bet.

    He'll be tossing and turning.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 53,665
    Sean_F said:

    I’d bet Philippe Sands is one of the 9-16%.

    If you look at his CV Sands has done some really dodgy shit, and taken up some peculiar causes, and seems to detest the concept of “Britain”. Also a bitter Remainer, of course

    lol

    We will always have Brexit to annoy the fuck out of them
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 41,382
    geoffw said:

    I was working in Finland in 1982 and the first I knew of the Falklands war was a striking Time Magazine headline on the news stands saying "The Empire Strikes Back" (referencing Star Wars for those too young to know). And actually for the first (and maybe the last) time it did make me feel a flush of pride in a "rules the waves" kind of way

    I was mortally embarrassed by the whole thing.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 41,382
    Leon said:

    Yeah boĺlocks, and the polls wouldn't stay that.

    "Wouldn't bother me if my firm fired me. Fuck em."

    Oh, they actually have. The bustards.

    At some point these dull wankers are going to collide with Realpolitik, and realise how great powers will push you around, and actually kill you, if you are not prepared to use your own power (which we still have). Cf Ukraine, they should have kept their nukes, but alas

    This is one of the criminal aspects of the Chagos Treachery, we are handing a significant prize to China AND FOR NO REASON AT ALL. We haven’t even done right by the Chagossians, we’ve done right by China, who will now plunder those pristine waters, and menace the American base

    Sensationally stupid by Starmer, world class fuckwittery
    You are a bit lost, aren’t you? Can't understand things.
  • geoffwgeoffw Posts: 8,559
    kinabalu said:

    geoffw said:

    I was working in Finland in 1982 and the first I knew of the Falklands war was a striking Time Magazine headline on the news stands saying "The Empire Strikes Back" (referencing Star Wars for those too young to know). And actually for the first (and maybe the last) time it did make me feel a flush of pride in a "rules the waves" kind of way

    I was mortally embarrassed by the whole thing.
    No more than I'd expect
    Have you got over it yet?

  • LeonLeon Posts: 53,665
    MJW said:

    Leon said:

    I agree with the threader however. I don’t think Chagos will particularly damage Labour/Starmer in the polls - the croissants have more cut through

    However

    1. It does add to the bad smell surrounding him and his party, the aura of incompetence and lies and

    2. It’s really damaged him with political and military experts - who are scorching him from all sides. Apart from Jeremy Corbyn. That may be important in the longer term


    Beyond the obvious that most people don't know/don't care - and there's now more of an instinct to think "why is it still British?" over "Wow, it's great it's still British" I think Labour are helped by the messiness of the Conservative involvement in previous versions of this deal.

    Even if you think they've struck a bad deal, it's less easier to characterise as a case of woke, unpatriotic Labour selling out Britain to appease its base when several leading Tories seem to have been open to it in principle, but quibbling over the details.

    To which, fair enough as a critique. But it doesn't play as easily into the broadbrush caricatures of Labour's attitudes towards patriotism that are often damaging.
    I wouldn’t dispute much of that. The Tories were fucking eejits for even starting the process

    However over the years I suspect this will come back to haunt Starmer. it feels like the base ingredient of a poisonous cocktail: for him

  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 47,868

    Gosh, the Falklands Conflict is over 40 years ago- as far back in time now as World War 2 was then. At some point, without anyone noticing, it's shifted from something we did in our epoch to something they did in the past.

    The other difference is that one of the legs supporting the Ulster peace process was the UK saying "we're only here as long as we're wanted". That's normalised that idea, I suspect. Keeping a bit of land because it's in our interests doesn't compute as well now as it might have done in the past. Ruling the waves sounds a bit... weird.

    Not in my eyes it doesn't.

    I think it's a good thing if we do rule the waves. We just don't invest enough in it.
    Yes, the Tories have run down the Navy terribly.

    Indeed it was Tory cuts proposed in the 1981 white paper, including scrapping Endurance, our only ship in the Falklands that led Argentina to think we weren't interested in defending the islands.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 41,382
    geoffw said:

    Gosh, the Falklands Conflict is over 40 years ago- as far back in time now as World War 2 was then. At some point, without anyone noticing, it's shifted from something we did in our epoch to something they did in the past.

    The other difference is that one of the legs supporting the Ulster peace process was the UK saying "we're only here as long as we're wanted". That's normalised that idea, I suspect. Keeping a bit of land because it's in our interests doesn't compute as well now as it might have done in the past. Ruling the waves sounds a bit... weird.

    I think you'll find the people who live there are quite keen not to be taken over by Argentina.
    Fortunately Milei has other things on his plate and he doesn't seem too keen on the Malvinas anyway
    Milei is a remarkable character. It'll be fascinating (thankfully from afar) to see how that pans out.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 41,382
    geoffw said:

    kinabalu said:

    geoffw said:

    I was working in Finland in 1982 and the first I knew of the Falklands war was a striking Time Magazine headline on the news stands saying "The Empire Strikes Back" (referencing Star Wars for those too young to know). And actually for the first (and maybe the last) time it did make me feel a flush of pride in a "rules the waves" kind of way

    I was mortally embarrassed by the whole thing.
    No more than I'd expect
    Have you got over it yet?
    Yes. I'm more mature now. I can view it in a balanced way.

    But back then, oh god ... yuck.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 47,868
    kinabalu said:

    geoffw said:

    Gosh, the Falklands Conflict is over 40 years ago- as far back in time now as World War 2 was then. At some point, without anyone noticing, it's shifted from something we did in our epoch to something they did in the past.

    The other difference is that one of the legs supporting the Ulster peace process was the UK saying "we're only here as long as we're wanted". That's normalised that idea, I suspect. Keeping a bit of land because it's in our interests doesn't compute as well now as it might have done in the past. Ruling the waves sounds a bit... weird.

    I think you'll find the people who live there are quite keen not to be taken over by Argentina.
    Fortunately Milei has other things on his plate and he doesn't seem too keen on the Malvinas anyway
    Milei is a remarkable character. It'll be fascinating (thankfully from afar) to see how that pans out.
    His popularity is dropping as the poverty rate rises.

    A freeze on old age pensions in particular hasn't been popular, so very different to our Triple Lock so beloved of our Tories.
  • geoffwgeoffw Posts: 8,559
    kinabalu said:

    geoffw said:

    Gosh, the Falklands Conflict is over 40 years ago- as far back in time now as World War 2 was then. At some point, without anyone noticing, it's shifted from something we did in our epoch to something they did in the past.

    The other difference is that one of the legs supporting the Ulster peace process was the UK saying "we're only here as long as we're wanted". That's normalised that idea, I suspect. Keeping a bit of land because it's in our interests doesn't compute as well now as it might have done in the past. Ruling the waves sounds a bit... weird.

    I think you'll find the people who live there are quite keen not to be taken over by Argentina.
    Fortunately Milei has other things on his plate and he doesn't seem too keen on the Malvinas anyway
    Milei is a remarkable character. It'll be fascinating (thankfully from afar) to see how that pans out.
    Seems to be a version of Boris, with cojones (which he eats)

  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,427
    Leon said:

    We will always have Brexit to annoy the fuck out of them

    Perhaps the only interesting thing in BoZo interview tonight is the "revelation" that he never expected to actually do Brexit. It's a fucking stupid idea.

    His only goal was to persuade enough gullible twats to vote for it.

    But hey, you'll always be that. I mean have that.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 4,339
    edited October 4

    These issues are not the same. The people of the Falklands and Gib want to be British. Gib would certainly rather be independent than tied to Spain.

    The people of the Chagos Islands just want to be allowed to go home.

    Do they?

    I'd be surprised if there's anything more than a token return of people. The islands (excepting Diego Garcia) are tiny. No space for another airport - are the Americans going to allow them to land planes for this, and operate a ferry port? Seems unlikely.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 17,531
    edited October 4
    If the Falkland Islanders decided they wanted to join Argentina then I don't know why I should be pleased or upset about it. So unbothered it would be. But if it were against their will then my answer would be rather different. So the first question begs many others.

    On the second question I'm not sure whether the one-third who answered "Stay British" were expressing a desire to send the Navy in to override the wishes of the Islanders, or if they were offering advice to the Islanders on their best interests.

    Kinda surprised that "Up to the Falklanders" didn't have a huge majority.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 4,339
    edited October 4
    Scott_xP said:

    Leon said:

    We will always have Brexit to annoy the fuck out of them

    Perhaps the only interesting thing in BoZo interview tonight is the "revelation" that he never expected to actually do Brexit. It's a fucking stupid idea.

    His only goal was to persuade enough gullible twats to vote for it.

    But hey, you'll always be that. I mean have that.
    The conflation of "they didn't expect to win" with "they didn't really want it" is one of the foundational confusions of post-referendum remainerism.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 59,255
    Leon said:

    Yeah boĺlocks, and the polls wouldn't stay that.

    "Wouldn't bother me if my firm fired me. Fuck em."

    Oh, they actually have. The bustards.

    At some point these dull wankers are going to collide with Realpolitik, and realise how great powers will push you around, and actually kill you, if you are not prepared to use your own power (which we still have). Cf Ukraine, they should have kept their nukes, but alas

    This is one of the criminal aspects of the Chagos Treachery, we are handing a significant prize to China AND FOR NO REASON AT ALL. We haven’t even done right by the Chagossians, we’ve done right by China, who will now plunder those pristine waters, and menace the American base

    Sensationally stupid by Starmer, world class fuckwittery
    They actually believe the propaganda that Britain is responsible for all the evil in the world so nothing but good can come if British influence, power and suzerainty is diminished.
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 16,662
    geoffw said:

    kinabalu said:

    geoffw said:

    Gosh, the Falklands Conflict is over 40 years ago- as far back in time now as World War 2 was then. At some point, without anyone noticing, it's shifted from something we did in our epoch to something they did in the past.

    The other difference is that one of the legs supporting the Ulster peace process was the UK saying "we're only here as long as we're wanted". That's normalised that idea, I suspect. Keeping a bit of land because it's in our interests doesn't compute as well now as it might have done in the past. Ruling the waves sounds a bit... weird.

    I think you'll find the people who live there are quite keen not to be taken over by Argentina.
    Fortunately Milei has other things on his plate and he doesn't seem too keen on the Malvinas anyway
    Milei is a remarkable character. It'll be fascinating (thankfully from afar) to see how that pans out.
    Seems to be a version of Boris, with cojones (which he eats)

    As opposed to ours, who just talks them.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 47,868

    These issues are not the same. The people of the Falklands and Gib want to be British. Gib would certainly rather be independent than tied to Spain.

    The people of the Chagos Islands just want to be allowed to go home.

    To be honest, I think few of them will return. It's 50 years since they left, so anyone who has real memories of working the coconut plantations will be very elderly. The descendents will have only stories to live on.

    The British resident Chagossians seem more keen on getting British citizenship and compensation.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 59,255
    Foxy said:

    Gosh, the Falklands Conflict is over 40 years ago- as far back in time now as World War 2 was then. At some point, without anyone noticing, it's shifted from something we did in our epoch to something they did in the past.

    The other difference is that one of the legs supporting the Ulster peace process was the UK saying "we're only here as long as we're wanted". That's normalised that idea, I suspect. Keeping a bit of land because it's in our interests doesn't compute as well now as it might have done in the past. Ruling the waves sounds a bit... weird.

    Not in my eyes it doesn't.

    I think it's a good thing if we do rule the waves. We just don't invest enough in it.
    Yes, the Tories have run down the Navy terribly.

    Indeed it was Tory cuts proposed in the 1981 white paper, including scrapping Endurance, our only ship in the Falklands that led Argentina to think we weren't interested in defending the islands.
    And yet, if your emasculated cuckold Liberals had been in power, still less the Marxist admiring Labour, you'd have run to the UN to cut a deal as weak as sauce within days.

    Only Maggie had the balls to send in the Fleet and do whatever it took to win.
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,427
    carnforth said:

    The conflation of "they didn't expect to win" with "they didn't really want it"

    BoZo never wanted to deliver Brexit. Watch the interview
  • kinabalu said:

    I'm actually surprised that as many as 35% would be "upset". That's an awful lot of Blimps we still have here in 2024.

    As a democrat I'd be upset since I know it's not what the residents want.

    If the residents wanted to go Argentinian then I couldn't care less, respect their choices, but that cuts both ways and if (since) they want to be British then democracy should be respected.

    Self determination goes both ways.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 51,872
    kinabalu said:

    I'm actually surprised that as many as 35% would be "upset". That's an awful lot of Blimps we still have here in 2024.

    How many people would be upset if, oh I don't know, some French people came and took over their home?

    Fuck of a sight more than 35% is my guess.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 59,255
    Sean_F said:

    I’d bet Philippe Sands is one of the 9-16%.

    Maybe we could just purge and evict the 9-16%, and they could go and live in their Global Majority idol states?

    Would help with resolving the housing crisis and remove people who seriously hate this country anyway.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 53,665
    kinabalu said:

    Leon said:

    Yeah boĺlocks, and the polls wouldn't stay that.

    "Wouldn't bother me if my firm fired me. Fuck em."

    Oh, they actually have. The bustards.

    At some point these dull wankers are going to collide with Realpolitik, and realise how great powers will push you around, and actually kill you, if you are not prepared to use your own power (which we still have). Cf Ukraine, they should have kept their nukes, but alas

    This is one of the criminal aspects of the Chagos Treachery, we are handing a significant prize to China AND FOR NO REASON AT ALL. We haven’t even done right by the Chagossians, we’ve done right by China, who will now plunder those pristine waters, and menace the American base

    Sensationally stupid by Starmer, world class fuckwittery
    You are a bit lost, aren’t you? Can't understand things.
    Not really, I’m in the beating heart of Pristina, in literally the best bar in the country of Kosovo (I just checked on TripAdvisor)

    URBAN GASTROLOUNGE

    It’s rather pleasant, and indeed absurdly cheap, my editor at the Gazette is correct


    Btw I just wrote an exquisitely cruel pen portrait of you, designed to conclude this comment with a sadistic flourish - but as I look at it I wonder if it is too cruel. It skewers you too brutally. So I am going to delete it. You can thank me at your leisure






  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 51,233
    Leon said:

    The Falklands War was over forty years ago. Half the country was born after it ended, and average iq is 100 - dumb as fuckery

    I doubt most people know what the “Falklands” are and they probably think “Malvinas” is a fruit cocktail or maybe a special dance

    The Maldivians have two variant names for the Chagos Islands: Fōlhavahi and Hollhavai .
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 47,868
    edited October 4

    Sean_F said:

    I’d bet Philippe Sands is one of the 9-16%.

    Maybe we could just purge and evict the 9-16%, and they could go and live in their Global Majority idol states?

    Would help with resolving the housing crisis and remove people who seriously hate this country anyway.
    It's the plastic patriots here who keep talking of migrating.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 4,339
    Leon said:

    kinabalu said:

    Leon said:

    Yeah boĺlocks, and the polls wouldn't stay that.

    "Wouldn't bother me if my firm fired me. Fuck em."

    Oh, they actually have. The bustards.

    At some point these dull wankers are going to collide with Realpolitik, and realise how great powers will push you around, and actually kill you, if you are not prepared to use your own power (which we still have). Cf Ukraine, they should have kept their nukes, but alas

    This is one of the criminal aspects of the Chagos Treachery, we are handing a significant prize to China AND FOR NO REASON AT ALL. We haven’t even done right by the Chagossians, we’ve done right by China, who will now plunder those pristine waters, and menace the American base

    Sensationally stupid by Starmer, world class fuckwittery
    You are a bit lost, aren’t you? Can't understand things.
    Not really, I’m in the beating heart of Pristina, in literally the best bar in the country of Kosovo (I just checked on TripAdvisor)

    URBAN GASTROLOUNGE

    It’s rather pleasant, and indeed absurdly cheap, my editor at the Gazette is correct


    Btw I just wrote an exquisitely cruel pen portrait of you, designed to conclude this comment with a sadistic flourish - but as I look at it I wonder if it is too cruel. It skewers you too brutally. So I am going to delete it. You can thank me at your leisure






    I notice from their menu that, in the local language, bruschetta is brusketa. Vastly more sensible spelling.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 47,868

    kinabalu said:

    I'm actually surprised that as many as 35% would be "upset". That's an awful lot of Blimps we still have here in 2024.

    How many people would be upset if, oh I don't know, some French people came and took over their home?

    Fuck of a sight more than 35% is my guess.
    Your guess vs a poll...
  • carnforth said:

    Scott_xP said:

    Leon said:

    We will always have Brexit to annoy the fuck out of them

    Perhaps the only interesting thing in BoZo interview tonight is the "revelation" that he never expected to actually do Brexit. It's a fucking stupid idea.

    His only goal was to persuade enough gullible twats to vote for it.

    But hey, you'll always be that. I mean have that.
    The conflation of "they didn't expect to win" with "they didn't really want it" is one of the foundational confusions of post-referendum remainerism.
    Logic and a grasp of the English language are not Scott N Paste's strong points.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 62,183
    edited October 4
    The Falklands campaign was fought at a time when we could just about manage to defend it, but at a price including the loss of 32 Welsh Guards at Bluff Cove on the 8th June 1982, the day of our daughter's 11th birthday

    It was a feature of our campaign to re elect Margaret Thatcher in 1983, as I was the driver for campaign for the late Wyn Roberts, as lots of questions were asked at the hustings not least because of the slaughter of the Welsh Guards

    My wife and I visited the Falklands on our expedition to Antarctica in 2009 and it is a remote number of islands with sheep and amazing wildlife but few inhabitants and on the face of it seems understandable if some want it to return to Argentina, but ultimately if it is the Islanders decision, as it was in 1982, to remain British then we should defend that democratic wish

    However, the best answer is to keep it as it as at present
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 62,183
    Scott_xP said:

    carnforth said:

    The conflation of "they didn't expect to win" with "they didn't really want it"

    BoZo never wanted to deliver Brexit. Watch the interview
    Whether he did or not, he did and nothing will change that
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 17,531

    The problem with the Falklands is that a population of 3662 rattle around 4700 square miles (half the area of Wales). Some of the inhabitants are presumably employed defending the others. They are quite literally a waste of space.

    There is, of course, the vexed question of oil reserves. I suggest we leave it in the ground in accordance with Government policy. Future generations will thank us.

    It's as far south as the Orkneys are north and it's further away from the South American mainland than the Faroes are from Britain.

    The viability of remote islands is a bit of an issue in a world that has moved a long way from subsistence farming.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 47,868

    Foxy said:

    Gosh, the Falklands Conflict is over 40 years ago- as far back in time now as World War 2 was then. At some point, without anyone noticing, it's shifted from something we did in our epoch to something they did in the past.

    The other difference is that one of the legs supporting the Ulster peace process was the UK saying "we're only here as long as we're wanted". That's normalised that idea, I suspect. Keeping a bit of land because it's in our interests doesn't compute as well now as it might have done in the past. Ruling the waves sounds a bit... weird.

    Not in my eyes it doesn't.

    I think it's a good thing if we do rule the waves. We just don't invest enough in it.
    Yes, the Tories have run down the Navy terribly.

    Indeed it was Tory cuts proposed in the 1981 white paper, including scrapping Endurance, our only ship in the Falklands that led Argentina to think we weren't interested in defending the islands.
    And yet, if your emasculated cuckold Liberals had been in power, still less the Marxist admiring Labour, you'd have run to the UN to cut a deal as weak as sauce within days.

    Only Maggie had the balls to send in the Fleet and do whatever it took to win.
    Clearly you are unaware of Operation Journeyman, when Callaghan deployed a naval force in 1978 to prevent a threatened Argentinian attack. It had its intended effect.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Journeyman

  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 59,255
    Foxy said:

    Sean_F said:

    I’d bet Philippe Sands is one of the 9-16%.

    Maybe we could just purge and evict the 9-16%, and they could go and live in their Global Majority idol states?

    Would help with resolving the housing crisis and remove people who seriously hate this country anyway.
    It's the plastic patriots here who keep talking of migrating.
    Why stay in a country set on destroying itself by people who hate it?
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 59,255

    The Falklands campaign was fought at a time when we could just about manage to defend it, but at a price including the loss of 32 Welsh Guards at Bluff Cove on the 8th June 1982, the day of our daughter's 11th birthday

    It was a feature of our campaign to re elect Margaret Thatcher in 1983, as I was the driver for campaign for the late Wyn Roberts, as lots of questions were asked at the hustings not least because of the slaughter of the Welsh Guards

    My wife and I visited the Falklands on our expedition to Antarctica in 2009 and it is a remote number of islands with sheep and amazing wildlife but few inhabitants and on the face of it seems understandable if some want it to return to Argentina, but ultimately if it is the Islanders decision, as it was in 1982, to remain British then we should defend that democratic wish

    However, the best answer is to keep it as it as at present

    You know this isn't your family WhatsApp chat, right?
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 51,233
    Leon said:

    kinabalu said:

    Leon said:

    Yeah boĺlocks, and the polls wouldn't stay that.

    "Wouldn't bother me if my firm fired me. Fuck em."

    Oh, they actually have. The bustards.

    At some point these dull wankers are going to collide with Realpolitik, and realise how great powers will push you around, and actually kill you, if you are not prepared to use your own power (which we still have). Cf Ukraine, they should have kept their nukes, but alas

    This is one of the criminal aspects of the Chagos Treachery, we are handing a significant prize to China AND FOR NO REASON AT ALL. We haven’t even done right by the Chagossians, we’ve done right by China, who will now plunder those pristine waters, and menace the American base

    Sensationally stupid by Starmer, world class fuckwittery
    You are a bit lost, aren’t you? Can't understand things.
    Not really, I’m in the beating heart of Pristina, in literally the best bar in the country of Kosovo (I just checked on TripAdvisor)
    [swaggering] I saw Tower Bridge open and close THREE times in as many hours from the 58th floor of one of London's tallest skyscrapers today :sunglasses:
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 47,868

    Foxy said:

    Sean_F said:

    I’d bet Philippe Sands is one of the 9-16%.

    Maybe we could just purge and evict the 9-16%, and they could go and live in their Global Majority idol states?

    Would help with resolving the housing crisis and remove people who seriously hate this country anyway.
    It's the plastic patriots here who keep talking of migrating.
    Why stay in a country set on destroying itself by people who hate it?
    I don't hate Britain and have no intention of leaving.

    I just value different British traditions to your Jingoism.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 50,721
    https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1842284913279586447

    SpaceX engineers are trying to deliver Starlink terminals & supplies to devastated areas in North Carolina right now and @FEMA is both failing to help AND won’t let others help. This is unconscionable!!

    They just took this video a few hours ago, where you can see the level of devastation: roads, houses, electricity, water supply and ground Internet connections completely destroyed.

    @FEMA wouldn’t let them land to deliver critical supplies … my blood is boiling …
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 62,183
    Foxy said:

    kinabalu said:

    geoffw said:

    Gosh, the Falklands Conflict is over 40 years ago- as far back in time now as World War 2 was then. At some point, without anyone noticing, it's shifted from something we did in our epoch to something they did in the past.

    The other difference is that one of the legs supporting the Ulster peace process was the UK saying "we're only here as long as we're wanted". That's normalised that idea, I suspect. Keeping a bit of land because it's in our interests doesn't compute as well now as it might have done in the past. Ruling the waves sounds a bit... weird.

    I think you'll find the people who live there are quite keen not to be taken over by Argentina.
    Fortunately Milei has other things on his plate and he doesn't seem too keen on the Malvinas anyway
    Milei is a remarkable character. It'll be fascinating (thankfully from afar) to see how that pans out.
    His popularity is dropping as the poverty rate rises.

    A freeze on old age pensions in particular hasn't been popular, so very different to our Triple Lock so beloved of our Tories.
    I thought the triple lock is Starmer gold standard, as he and Reeves extol the virtue of it remaining for the full parliament
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 47,868

    Foxy said:

    kinabalu said:

    geoffw said:

    Gosh, the Falklands Conflict is over 40 years ago- as far back in time now as World War 2 was then. At some point, without anyone noticing, it's shifted from something we did in our epoch to something they did in the past.

    The other difference is that one of the legs supporting the Ulster peace process was the UK saying "we're only here as long as we're wanted". That's normalised that idea, I suspect. Keeping a bit of land because it's in our interests doesn't compute as well now as it might have done in the past. Ruling the waves sounds a bit... weird.

    I think you'll find the people who live there are quite keen not to be taken over by Argentina.
    Fortunately Milei has other things on his plate and he doesn't seem too keen on the Malvinas anyway
    Milei is a remarkable character. It'll be fascinating (thankfully from afar) to see how that pans out.
    His popularity is dropping as the poverty rate rises.

    A freeze on old age pensions in particular hasn't been popular, so very different to our Triple Lock so beloved of our Tories.
    I thought the triple lock is Starmer gold standard, as he and Reeves extol the virtue of it remaining for the full parliament
    Just pointing out the difference of the Argentinian Right and their slashing the state compared with our Tories featherbedding of their client grey vote.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 59,255
    Foxy said:

    Foxy said:

    Sean_F said:

    I’d bet Philippe Sands is one of the 9-16%.

    Maybe we could just purge and evict the 9-16%, and they could go and live in their Global Majority idol states?

    Would help with resolving the housing crisis and remove people who seriously hate this country anyway.
    It's the plastic patriots here who keep talking of migrating.
    Why stay in a country set on destroying itself by people who hate it?
    I don't hate Britain and have no intention of leaving.

    I just value different British traditions to your Jingoism.
    I defend our people and interests, not sit in chronic self-indulgence and the pursuit of questionable ideologies at our expense.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 59,255
    Foxy said:

    Foxy said:

    Gosh, the Falklands Conflict is over 40 years ago- as far back in time now as World War 2 was then. At some point, without anyone noticing, it's shifted from something we did in our epoch to something they did in the past.

    The other difference is that one of the legs supporting the Ulster peace process was the UK saying "we're only here as long as we're wanted". That's normalised that idea, I suspect. Keeping a bit of land because it's in our interests doesn't compute as well now as it might have done in the past. Ruling the waves sounds a bit... weird.

    Not in my eyes it doesn't.

    I think it's a good thing if we do rule the waves. We just don't invest enough in it.
    Yes, the Tories have run down the Navy terribly.

    Indeed it was Tory cuts proposed in the 1981 white paper, including scrapping Endurance, our only ship in the Falklands that led Argentina to think we weren't interested in defending the islands.
    And yet, if your emasculated cuckold Liberals had been in power, still less the Marxist admiring Labour, you'd have run to the UN to cut a deal as weak as sauce within days.

    Only Maggie had the balls to send in the Fleet and do whatever it took to win.
    Clearly you are unaware of Operation Journeyman, when Callaghan deployed a naval force in 1978 to prevent a threatened Argentinian attack. It had its intended effect.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Journeyman

    I am aware. It's not the same thing.
  • MJWMJW Posts: 1,652
    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Leon said:

    I agree with the threader however. I don’t think Chagos will particularly damage Labour/Starmer in the polls - the croissants have more cut through

    However

    1. It does add to the bad smell surrounding him and his party, the aura of incompetence and lies and

    2. It’s really damaged him with political and military experts - who are scorching him from all sides. Apart from Jeremy Corbyn. That may be important in the longer term


    Beyond the obvious that most people don't know/don't care - and there's now more of an instinct to think "why is it still British?" over "Wow, it's great it's still British" I think Labour are helped by the messiness of the Conservative involvement in previous versions of this deal.

    Even if you think they've struck a bad deal, it's less easier to characterise as a case of woke, unpatriotic Labour selling out Britain to appease its base when several leading Tories seem to have been open to it in principle, but quibbling over the details.

    To which, fair enough as a critique. But it doesn't play as easily into the broadbrush caricatures of Labour's attitudes towards patriotism that are often damaging.
    I wouldn’t dispute much of that. The Tories were fucking eejits for even starting the process

    However over the years I suspect this will come back to haunt Starmer. it feels like the base ingredient of a poisonous cocktail: for him

    Hmmm...unless things move fairly fast - possible, but seems unlikely, won't he be long gone if and when the strategic shortcomings are apparent?
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 62,183

    The Falklands campaign was fought at a time when we could just about manage to defend it, but at a price including the loss of 32 Welsh Guards at Bluff Cove on the 8th June 1982, the day of our daughter's 11th birthday

    It was a feature of our campaign to re elect Margaret Thatcher in 1983, as I was the driver for campaign for the late Wyn Roberts, as lots of questions were asked at the hustings not least because of the slaughter of the Welsh Guards

    My wife and I visited the Falklands on our expedition to Antarctica in 2009 and it is a remote number of islands with sheep and amazing wildlife but few inhabitants and on the face of it seems understandable if some want it to return to Argentina, but ultimately if it is the Islanders decision, as it was in 1982, to remain British then we should defend that democratic wish

    However, the best answer is to keep it as it as at present

    You know this isn't your family WhatsApp chat, right?
    Maybe telling a story of a lived experience is better than photos of food and gossip on WhatsApp

    We were devastated at the loss of the Welsh Guards here in Wales and it was very much the story of our hustings in 1983
  • LeonLeon Posts: 53,665
    Am I even in a country? Is Kosovo a country?


    Fascinating
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 27,572
    edited October 4
    Foxy said:

    Foxy said:

    Gosh, the Falklands Conflict is over 40 years ago- as far back in time now as World War 2 was then. At some point, without anyone noticing, it's shifted from something we did in our epoch to something they did in the past.

    The other difference is that one of the legs supporting the Ulster peace process was the UK saying "we're only here as long as we're wanted". That's normalised that idea, I suspect. Keeping a bit of land because it's in our interests doesn't compute as well now as it might have done in the past. Ruling the waves sounds a bit... weird.

    Not in my eyes it doesn't.

    I think it's a good thing if we do rule the waves. We just don't invest enough in it.
    Yes, the Tories have run down the Navy terribly.

    Indeed it was Tory cuts proposed in the 1981 white paper, including scrapping Endurance, our only ship in the Falklands that led Argentina to think we weren't interested in defending the islands.
    And yet, if your emasculated cuckold Liberals had been in power, still less the Marxist admiring Labour, you'd have run to the UN to cut a deal as weak as sauce within days.

    Only Maggie had the balls to send in the Fleet and do whatever it took to win.
    Clearly you are unaware of Operation Journeyman, when Callaghan deployed a naval force in 1978 to prevent a threatened Argentinian attack. It had its intended effect.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Journeyman

    If only Sunny Jim had dropped the ball and scrambled a task force to recover the Falklands. Thatcher would have been but a footnote in history.
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 36,824
    kinabalu said:

    geoffw said:

    I was working in Finland in 1982 and the first I knew of the Falklands war was a striking Time Magazine headline on the news stands saying "The Empire Strikes Back" (referencing Star Wars for those too young to know). And actually for the first (and maybe the last) time it did make me feel a flush of pride in a "rules the waves" kind of way

    I was mortally embarrassed by the whole thing.
    Why?
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 62,183
    Foxy said:

    Foxy said:

    kinabalu said:

    geoffw said:

    Gosh, the Falklands Conflict is over 40 years ago- as far back in time now as World War 2 was then. At some point, without anyone noticing, it's shifted from something we did in our epoch to something they did in the past.

    The other difference is that one of the legs supporting the Ulster peace process was the UK saying "we're only here as long as we're wanted". That's normalised that idea, I suspect. Keeping a bit of land because it's in our interests doesn't compute as well now as it might have done in the past. Ruling the waves sounds a bit... weird.

    I think you'll find the people who live there are quite keen not to be taken over by Argentina.
    Fortunately Milei has other things on his plate and he doesn't seem too keen on the Malvinas anyway
    Milei is a remarkable character. It'll be fascinating (thankfully from afar) to see how that pans out.
    His popularity is dropping as the poverty rate rises.

    A freeze on old age pensions in particular hasn't been popular, so very different to our Triple Lock so beloved of our Tories.
    I thought the triple lock is Starmer gold standard, as he and Reeves extol the virtue of it remaining for the full parliament
    Just pointing out the difference of the Argentinian Right and their slashing the state compared with our Tories featherbedding of their client grey vote.
    And I was just pointing out it is Labour's policy and as far as I know Lib Dems as well
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 16,942
    kinabalu said:

    geoffw said:

    I was working in Finland in 1982 and the first I knew of the Falklands war was a striking Time Magazine headline on the news stands saying "The Empire Strikes Back" (referencing Star Wars for those too young to know). And actually for the first (and maybe the last) time it did make me feel a flush of pride in a "rules the waves" kind of way

    I was mortally embarrassed by the whole thing.
    Why? An illegal invasion of sovereign territory? Sending a fleet and troops enough to reclaim the rightful ownership?
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 31,490
    Leon said:

    kinabalu said:

    Leon said:

    Yeah boĺlocks, and the polls wouldn't stay that.

    "Wouldn't bother me if my firm fired me. Fuck em."

    Oh, they actually have. The bustards.

    At some point these dull wankers are going to collide with Realpolitik, and realise how great powers will push you around, and actually kill you, if you are not prepared to use your own power (which we still have). Cf Ukraine, they should have kept their nukes, but alas

    This is one of the criminal aspects of the Chagos Treachery, we are handing a significant prize to China AND FOR NO REASON AT ALL. We haven’t even done right by the Chagossians, we’ve done right by China, who will now plunder those pristine waters, and menace the American base

    Sensationally stupid by Starmer, world class fuckwittery
    You are a bit lost, aren’t you? Can't understand things.
    Not really, I’m in the beating heart of Pristina, in literally the best bar in the country of Kosovo (I just checked on TripAdvisor)

    URBAN GASTROLOUNGE

    It’s rather pleasant, and indeed absurdly cheap, my editor at the Gazette is correct


    Btw I just wrote an exquisitely cruel pen portrait of you, designed to conclude this comment with a sadistic flourish - but as I look at it I wonder if it is too cruel. It skewers you too brutally. So I am going to delete it. You can thank me at your leisure






    Not quite as cheap as the capital of Moldova I assume.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 59,255

    The Falklands campaign was fought at a time when we could just about manage to defend it, but at a price including the loss of 32 Welsh Guards at Bluff Cove on the 8th June 1982, the day of our daughter's 11th birthday

    It was a feature of our campaign to re elect Margaret Thatcher in 1983, as I was the driver for campaign for the late Wyn Roberts, as lots of questions were asked at the hustings not least because of the slaughter of the Welsh Guards

    My wife and I visited the Falklands on our expedition to Antarctica in 2009 and it is a remote number of islands with sheep and amazing wildlife but few inhabitants and on the face of it seems understandable if some want it to return to Argentina, but ultimately if it is the Islanders decision, as it was in 1982, to remain British then we should defend that democratic wish

    However, the best answer is to keep it as it as at present

    You know this isn't your family WhatsApp chat, right?
    Maybe telling a story of a lived experience is better than photos of food and gossip on WhatsApp

    We were devastated at the loss of the Welsh Guards here in Wales and it was very much the story of our hustings in 1983
    So devastating the first thing you cite on that day that over 30 men burnt to death is that it was your daughter's 11th birthday.

    Rein the wife, kids, brothers, grandkids and second cousin twice-removed step-daughters close family friend crap, and give it a rest.

    No-one cares.
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 3,570
    All I really remember about the Falklands is : Pictures of people waving boats away / "Port Stanley" / Guy being on TV with burns to his face / Mrs.Thatcher saying something about it / Some sort of wife-swapping/sex-thing with a weatherman?

  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 36,824
    Leon said:

    Yeah boĺlocks, and the polls wouldn't stay that.

    "Wouldn't bother me if my firm fired me. Fuck em."

    Oh, they actually have. The bustards.

    At some point these dull wankers are going to collide with Realpolitik, and realise how great powers will push you around, and actually kill you, if you are not prepared to use your own power (which we still have). Cf Ukraine, they should have kept their nukes, but alas

    This is one of the criminal aspects of the Chagos Treachery, we are handing a significant prize to China AND FOR NO REASON AT ALL. We haven’t even done right by the Chagossians, we’ve done right by China, who will now plunder those pristine waters, and menace the American base

    Sensationally stupid by Starmer, world class fuckwittery
    I think in rich world countries, there’s a huge tendency towards wishful thinking.

    Why don’t major powers treat decisions of the UN as binding? Why can’t governments renounce war? Why can’t the Jews and Arabs get on together in a unitary State?

  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 62,183

    The Falklands campaign was fought at a time when we could just about manage to defend it, but at a price including the loss of 32 Welsh Guards at Bluff Cove on the 8th June 1982, the day of our daughter's 11th birthday

    It was a feature of our campaign to re elect Margaret Thatcher in 1983, as I was the driver for campaign for the late Wyn Roberts, as lots of questions were asked at the hustings not least because of the slaughter of the Welsh Guards

    My wife and I visited the Falklands on our expedition to Antarctica in 2009 and it is a remote number of islands with sheep and amazing wildlife but few inhabitants and on the face of it seems understandable if some want it to return to Argentina, but ultimately if it is the Islanders decision, as it was in 1982, to remain British then we should defend that democratic wish

    However, the best answer is to keep it as it as at present

    You know this isn't your family WhatsApp chat, right?
    Maybe telling a story of a lived experience is better than photos of food and gossip on WhatsApp

    We were devastated at the loss of the Welsh Guards here in Wales and it was very much the story of our hustings in 1983
    So devastating the first thing you cite on that day that over 30 men burnt to death is that it was your daughter's 11th birthday.

    Rein the wife, kids, brothers, grandkids and second cousin twice-removed step-daughters close family friend crap, and give it a rest.

    No-one cares.
    The day remains in our memory every time our daughter has her birthday and frankly if it upsets you then ignore it
  • No_Offence_AlanNo_Offence_Alan Posts: 4,410

    The problem with the Falklands is that a population of 3662 rattle around 4700 square miles (half the area of Wales). Some of the inhabitants are presumably employed defending the others. They are quite literally a waste of space.

    There is, of course, the vexed question of oil reserves. I suggest we leave it in the ground in accordance with Government policy. Future generations will thank us.

    It's as far south as the Orkneys are north and it's further away from the South American mainland than the Faroes are from Britain.

    The viability of remote islands is a bit of an issue in a world that has moved a long way from subsistence farming.
    Some people say "look at the map - the Falklands are obviously Argentinian".
    I say to them "look at the map - tell me which Aegean islands are obviously Turkish".
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 31,490
    edited October 4

    The Falklands campaign was fought at a time when we could just about manage to defend it, but at a price including the loss of 32 Welsh Guards at Bluff Cove on the 8th June 1982, the day of our daughter's 11th birthday

    It was a feature of our campaign to re elect Margaret Thatcher in 1983, as I was the driver for campaign for the late Wyn Roberts, as lots of questions were asked at the hustings not least because of the slaughter of the Welsh Guards

    My wife and I visited the Falklands on our expedition to Antarctica in 2009 and it is a remote number of islands with sheep and amazing wildlife but few inhabitants and on the face of it seems understandable if some want it to return to Argentina, but ultimately if it is the Islanders decision, as it was in 1982, to remain British then we should defend that democratic wish

    However, the best answer is to keep it as it as at present

    I recall that Roger Roberts fought the seat 5 times in a row as the Liberal candidate but never managed to win it because Labour leapfrogged them in 1997. He's still around at the age of 88.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 62,183
    Andy_JS said:

    The Falklands campaign was fought at a time when we could just about manage to defend it, but at a price including the loss of 32 Welsh Guards at Bluff Cove on the 8th June 1982, the day of our daughter's 11th birthday

    It was a feature of our campaign to re elect Margaret Thatcher in 1983, as I was the driver for campaign for the late Wyn Roberts, as lots of questions were asked at the hustings not least because of the slaughter of the Welsh Guards

    My wife and I visited the Falklands on our expedition to Antarctica in 2009 and it is a remote number of islands with sheep and amazing wildlife but few inhabitants and on the face of it seems understandable if some want it to return to Argentina, but ultimately if it is the Islanders decision, as it was in 1982, to remain British then we should defend that democratic wish

    However, the best answer is to keep it as it as at present

    I recall that Roger Roberts fought the seat 5 times in a row as the Liberal candidate but never managed to win it because Labour leapfrogged them in 1997. He's still around at the age of 88.
    I knew Roger in those days and he was a lovely person as indeed was Wyn Roberts
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 21,883
    If a handful of folk living on a godforsaken island want to be British, then come and live here.

    No people. No sheep. A nature reserve, belonging to nobody.
  • kjhkjh Posts: 11,530
    edited October 4

    The Falklands campaign was fought at a time when we could just about manage to defend it, but at a price including the loss of 32 Welsh Guards at Bluff Cove on the 8th June 1982, the day of our daughter's 11th birthday

    It was a feature of our campaign to re elect Margaret Thatcher in 1983, as I was the driver for campaign for the late Wyn Roberts, as lots of questions were asked at the hustings not least because of the slaughter of the Welsh Guards

    My wife and I visited the Falklands on our expedition to Antarctica in 2009 and it is a remote number of islands with sheep and amazing wildlife but few inhabitants and on the face of it seems understandable if some want it to return to Argentina, but ultimately if it is the Islanders decision, as it was in 1982, to remain British then we should defend that democratic wish

    However, the best answer is to keep it as it as at present

    You know this isn't your family WhatsApp chat, right?
    Maybe telling a story of a lived experience is better than photos of food and gossip on WhatsApp

    We were devastated at the loss of the Welsh Guards here in Wales and it was very much the story of our hustings in 1983
    So devastating the first thing you cite on that day that over 30 men burnt to death is that it was your daughter's 11th birthday.

    Rein the wife, kids, brothers, grandkids and second cousin twice-removed step-daughters close family friend crap, and give it a rest.

    No-one cares.
    The day remains in our memory every time our daughter has her birthday and frankly if it upsets you then ignore it
    I care @Big_G_NorthWales . Nice initial post.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 53,665
    Fuck am I gonna do in this dump for 48 hours?
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 31,490

    The Falklands campaign was fought at a time when we could just about manage to defend it, but at a price including the loss of 32 Welsh Guards at Bluff Cove on the 8th June 1982, the day of our daughter's 11th birthday

    It was a feature of our campaign to re elect Margaret Thatcher in 1983, as I was the driver for campaign for the late Wyn Roberts, as lots of questions were asked at the hustings not least because of the slaughter of the Welsh Guards

    My wife and I visited the Falklands on our expedition to Antarctica in 2009 and it is a remote number of islands with sheep and amazing wildlife but few inhabitants and on the face of it seems understandable if some want it to return to Argentina, but ultimately if it is the Islanders decision, as it was in 1982, to remain British then we should defend that democratic wish

    However, the best answer is to keep it as it as at present

    You know this isn't your family WhatsApp chat, right?
    Maybe telling a story of a lived experience is better than photos of food and gossip on WhatsApp

    We were devastated at the loss of the Welsh Guards here in Wales and it was very much the story of our hustings in 1983
    So devastating the first thing you cite on that day that over 30 men burnt to death is that it was your daughter's 11th birthday.

    Rein the wife, kids, brothers, grandkids and second cousin twice-removed step-daughters close family friend crap, and give it a rest.

    No-one cares.
    You must have had a bad day today.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 21,883

    Leon said:

    kinabalu said:

    Leon said:

    Yeah boĺlocks, and the polls wouldn't stay that.

    "Wouldn't bother me if my firm fired me. Fuck em."

    Oh, they actually have. The bustards.

    At some point these dull wankers are going to collide with Realpolitik, and realise how great powers will push you around, and actually kill you, if you are not prepared to use your own power (which we still have). Cf Ukraine, they should have kept their nukes, but alas

    This is one of the criminal aspects of the Chagos Treachery, we are handing a significant prize to China AND FOR NO REASON AT ALL. We haven’t even done right by the Chagossians, we’ve done right by China, who will now plunder those pristine waters, and menace the American base

    Sensationally stupid by Starmer, world class fuckwittery
    You are a bit lost, aren’t you? Can't understand things.
    Not really, I’m in the beating heart of Pristina, in literally the best bar in the country of Kosovo (I just checked on TripAdvisor)
    [swaggering] I saw Tower Bridge open and close THREE times in as many hours from the 58th floor of one of London's tallest skyscrapers today :sunglasses:
    I used to be able to watch it open from my desk, when I worked just off the southern end of the bridge.

    Annoying whenever it opened when I was trying to get back to Tower Hill for the tube home.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 51,233
    Leon said:

    Am I even in a country? Is Kosovo a country?


    Fascinating

    As of 4 September 2020, 104 out of 193 (53.9%) United Nations member states, 22 out of 27 (81.5%) European Union member states, 28 out of 32 (87.5%) NATO member states, 4 out of 10 (40%) ASEAN member states, and 34 out of 57 (59.6%) Organisation of Islamic Cooperation member states have recognised Kosovo.[4]

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_recognition_of_Kosovo
  • LeonLeon Posts: 53,665
    I was starting at UCL when we won the Falklands War, and we were all drinking in the Grafton Arms on Warren St in Fitzrovia when a US TV crew came in to ask “British” opinions of the victory

    We were all quite drunk and they interviewed us and I was clearly exuberant and the American TV guy said “what do you think should happen now” and I said “now we reconquer America!” And they laughed and it was cool

    And then afterwards the guy told me “you know that was live and it went out on CBS News in the USA?”

    My American media career peaked early
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 47,868
    Leon said:

    Fuck am I gonna do in this dump for 48 hours?

    Troll PB, like any other day?
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 51,233

    The problem with the Falklands is that a population of 3662 rattle around 4700 square miles (half the area of Wales). Some of the inhabitants are presumably employed defending the others. They are quite literally a waste of space.

    There is, of course, the vexed question of oil reserves. I suggest we leave it in the ground in accordance with Government policy. Future generations will thank us.

    It's as far south as the Orkneys are north and it's further away from the South American mainland than the Faroes are from Britain.

    The viability of remote islands is a bit of an issue in a world that has moved a long way from subsistence farming.
    Some people say "look at the map - the Falklands are obviously Argentinian".
    I say to them "look at the map - tell me which Aegean islands are obviously Turkish".
    The Aegean coast would have been Greek had it not been for Ataturk!
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 62,183
    kjh said:

    The Falklands campaign was fought at a time when we could just about manage to defend it, but at a price including the loss of 32 Welsh Guards at Bluff Cove on the 8th June 1982, the day of our daughter's 11th birthday

    It was a feature of our campaign to re elect Margaret Thatcher in 1983, as I was the driver for campaign for the late Wyn Roberts, as lots of questions were asked at the hustings not least because of the slaughter of the Welsh Guards

    My wife and I visited the Falklands on our expedition to Antarctica in 2009 and it is a remote number of islands with sheep and amazing wildlife but few inhabitants and on the face of it seems understandable if some want it to return to Argentina, but ultimately if it is the Islanders decision, as it was in 1982, to remain British then we should defend that democratic wish

    However, the best answer is to keep it as it as at present

    You know this isn't your family WhatsApp chat, right?
    Maybe telling a story of a lived experience is better than photos of food and gossip on WhatsApp

    We were devastated at the loss of the Welsh Guards here in Wales and it was very much the story of our hustings in 1983
    So devastating the first thing you cite on that day that over 30 men burnt to death is that it was your daughter's 11th birthday.

    Rein the wife, kids, brothers, grandkids and second cousin twice-removed step-daughters close family friend crap, and give it a rest.

    No-one cares.
    The day remains in our memory every time our daughter has her birthday and frankly if it upsets you then ignore it
    I care @Big_G_NorthWales . Nice initial post.
    I would just say I do not know how much if anything @Casino_Royale remembers or knows of Bluff Cove but it was a tragedy felt across Wales and is remembered to this day on the 8th June
  • rcs1000 said:

    The difference is what do the residents think?

    The way the Chagossians were treated was disgraceful.
    The Falkland Islanders have repeatedly and democratically made their views clear.

    Technically, haven't they only done it once?
    They have elections every few years.
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 8,018

    Foxy said:

    Gosh, the Falklands Conflict is over 40 years ago- as far back in time now as World War 2 was then. At some point, without anyone noticing, it's shifted from something we did in our epoch to something they did in the past.

    The other difference is that one of the legs supporting the Ulster peace process was the UK saying "we're only here as long as we're wanted". That's normalised that idea, I suspect. Keeping a bit of land because it's in our interests doesn't compute as well now as it might have done in the past. Ruling the waves sounds a bit... weird.

    Not in my eyes it doesn't.

    I think it's a good thing if we do rule the waves. We just don't invest enough in it.
    Yes, the Tories have run down the Navy terribly.

    Indeed it was Tory cuts proposed in the 1981 white paper, including scrapping Endurance, our only ship in the Falklands that led Argentina to think we weren't interested in defending the islands.
    And yet, if your emasculated cuckold Liberals had been in power, still less the Marxist admiring Labour, you'd have run to the UN to cut a deal as weak as sauce within days.

    Only Maggie had the balls to send in the Fleet and do whatever it took to win.
    WTF are you talking about. Listen to the speech by Foot - blistering stuff.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LruHv0PZ82E

    Much harder on the junta than Thatcher.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 53,665
    Foxy said:

    Leon said:

    Fuck am I gonna do in this dump for 48 hours?

    Troll PB, like any other day?
    That would be fun but I am on assignment and I actually have to go out and explore and do things. And as far as I can see there is nothing to see and do here

    I’ve already seen the famously hideous modernist buildings
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 51,872
    Leon said:

    Fuck am I gonna do in this dump for 48 hours?

    Find some flint?
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 16,942
    Leon said:

    Fuck am I gonna do in this dump for 48 hours?

    Post endless drivel on PB?
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 61,634

    The Falklands campaign was fought at a time when we could just about manage to defend it, but at a price including the loss of 32 Welsh Guards at Bluff Cove on the 8th June 1982, the day of our daughter's 11th birthday

    It was a feature of our campaign to re elect Margaret Thatcher in 1983, as I was the driver for campaign for the late Wyn Roberts, as lots of questions were asked at the hustings not least because of the slaughter of the Welsh Guards

    My wife and I visited the Falklands on our expedition to Antarctica in 2009 and it is a remote number of islands with sheep and amazing wildlife but few inhabitants and on the face of it seems understandable if some want it to return to Argentina, but ultimately if it is the Islanders decision, as it was in 1982, to remain British then we should defend that democratic wish

    However, the best answer is to keep it as it as at present

    You know this isn't your family WhatsApp chat, right?
    Maybe telling a story of a lived experience is better than photos of food and gossip on WhatsApp

    We were devastated at the loss of the Welsh Guards here in Wales and it was very much the story of our hustings in 1983
    So devastating the first thing you cite on that day that over 30 men burnt to death is that it was your daughter's 11th birthday.

    Rein the wife, kids, brothers, grandkids and second cousin twice-removed step-daughters close family friend crap, and give it a rest.

    No-one cares.
    Blimey. I am tempted to flag this. Pretty uncalled for.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 51,872
    Foxy said:

    kinabalu said:

    I'm actually surprised that as many as 35% would be "upset". That's an awful lot of Blimps we still have here in 2024.

    How many people would be upset if, oh I don't know, some French people came and took over their home?

    Fuck of a sight more than 35% is my guess.
    Your guess vs a poll...
    They polled that question?

    Thought not.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 53,665
    Andy_JS said:

    Leon said:

    kinabalu said:

    Leon said:

    Yeah boĺlocks, and the polls wouldn't stay that.

    "Wouldn't bother me if my firm fired me. Fuck em."

    Oh, they actually have. The bustards.

    At some point these dull wankers are going to collide with Realpolitik, and realise how great powers will push you around, and actually kill you, if you are not prepared to use your own power (which we still have). Cf Ukraine, they should have kept their nukes, but alas

    This is one of the criminal aspects of the Chagos Treachery, we are handing a significant prize to China AND FOR NO REASON AT ALL. We haven’t even done right by the Chagossians, we’ve done right by China, who will now plunder those pristine waters, and menace the American base

    Sensationally stupid by Starmer, world class fuckwittery
    You are a bit lost, aren’t you? Can't understand things.
    Not really, I’m in the beating heart of Pristina, in literally the best bar in the country of Kosovo (I just checked on TripAdvisor)

    URBAN GASTROLOUNGE

    It’s rather pleasant, and indeed absurdly cheap, my editor at the Gazette is correct


    Btw I just wrote an exquisitely cruel pen portrait of you, designed to conclude this comment with a sadistic flourish - but as I look at it I wonder if it is too cruel. It skewers you too brutally. So I am going to delete it. You can thank me at your leisure






    Not quite as cheap as the capital of Moldova I assume.
    Officially even cheaper. And I believe it

    There are restaurants around here with items that cost much less than 1 euro. I’ve no idea what they are but they aren’t condiments

    Maybe plain salad or olives or something

    50p!
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 12,135
    The YouGov question WRT the Falklands is entirely useless as it gives no context and misses out the crucial but boring stage.

    In the actual historical Falklands rumpus/war, the matter was precipitated by invasion. Until that happened the only people who had ever heard of them were stamp collectors and experts on the history of sheep rearing.

    It is completely understandable that UK people would, on the whole, accept whatever the Falklands people decided on the basis of self determination. This wasn't asked; many when asked would have assumed that's what was meant.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 61,634
    Leon said:

    Foxy said:

    Leon said:

    Fuck am I gonna do in this dump for 48 hours?

    Troll PB, like any other day?
    That would be fun but I am on assignment and I actually have to go out and explore and do things. And as far as I can see there is nothing to see and do here

    I’ve already seen the famously hideous modernist buildings
    Can't you spend some time looking for all the streets named after Tony Blair?
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 31,490
    "Not bothered" is the life motto of a lot of people.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 48,587

    The problem with the Falklands is that a population of 3662 rattle around 4700 square miles (half the area of Wales). Some of the inhabitants are presumably employed defending the others. They are quite literally a waste of space.

    There is, of course, the vexed question of oil reserves. I suggest we leave it in the ground in accordance with Government policy. Future generations will thank us.

    The Falklands actually pay for themselves with fishing licensing.

    Judging by the mad free for all outside their economic zone, this protects fish stocks.

    The other thing the Falklands and South Georgia does is give the U.K. a seat at the Antarctic table. Where U.K. policy has been to block all development - since before the Antarctic treaty system.

    Argentina is in favour of no holds barred exploitation of both.
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