Do English people really care about Malvinas/ Falklands?

Question

I have the impression that only English politicians care about them. What do common people (at home, in the schools, in the streets) think?
And please, don't be rude, I'm just asking your opinion in order to know. Thank you.

Answer 1

No. Before the invasion few would have known about it's existence. While the population of the Falklands do consider themselves British they were, in a sense, lucky the invasion happened as Britain was in secret talks with Argentina over their future. Had Galtieri exercised a bit of patience he may have got them without a shot ever being fired.

Answer 2

Well, there are various factors at work.

First the rule of aggressive. Capture of territory by an act of war should never be tolerated. I know, a bit rich coming from a country who invaded Iraq along with the Americans, but I didn't agree with that either.

Secondly, if the population of the Falklands wanted to have left British rule, then I'm sure that would have been arranged. They don't and they have the right to self-determination.

Last point. They're still looking for oil in the waters around the Falklands. I don't think they have found much, but there is realpolitik at work here too.

Hope that gives you some insights. Its not that we really care on a day-to-day basis. Most of the time the British don't think about them at all. But if the question arises, that's the feeling.

Answer 3

I don't care about them, and if Argentina had entered into diplomatic negotiation, she'd probably have got them eventually. That war cost a lot of money (£1m per Falkland Islander) and maintaining a military presence there is expensive. I met two Falkland Islanders once - unprepossessing is the most charitable comment I could make. To describe them as boring would be flattery. Oh, and the war gave them such a sense of self importance - they actually thought they were worth a million quid each! This pisses me off when no money can be found to save children in Palestine or Darfur.

The trouble is, Britain's pride was hurt - can you see that ? Of course Argentina will probably get them eventually, but stupid Galtieri delayed that moment for at least a century. As the US is discovering (again), invading another country never gets you what you wanted. It's called "unlooked for consequences"

Answer 4

I certainly care about them. I had the good fortune to visit for the first time in 1979 on my way to South Georgia (Georgio del Sud if you must), 3 years before the Argentine invasion. What I saw there was an extremely pro-British, hard working community who were proud of their roots and connection to the UK. I am sure that 1982 was a convenience in some respects for both countries. Argentina needed to divert attention away from it's internal problems and Mrs Thatcher needed to bolster public opinion for the forthcoming General Election. Regardless of the reasons, as a dependency they deserved (and still do) our support. The Falklands have much financial independence now, gaining a lot of revenue from commercial fishing licences and maybe in the future from oil exploration, but I hope that the UK will continue to protect them. As an aside, I have also visited Buenos Aires. Nice city.

Answer 5

I think the British people only care that the inhabitants remain free to choose their own destiny, it help that the destiny they chose was us - made us feel patriotic.
The politicians of course only cared that along with the South Georgia's and a few other isolated specks, The Falklands was our only claim over the potentially rich section of the Antarctic claimed by Britain.
The Antarctic was divided between those countries surrounding it. Kind of, if you allow for the major powers refusing to give up rights.
That was Russia's big mistake when they advised Argentina that we would not be bothered about invasion.

Answer 6

I think it is more a matter of principle. Britain has a tradition of letting go of control of other countries voluntarily, by negotiation with other involved parties such as the people living there and other countries who wish to stake a claim. Use of force against a British Territory is seen as an act of war and as such will be met with force. That is why we have armed forces.

It is the same principle as applied to school yard bullying. If it is known that someone will fight back and do serious damage then it is rare that he will be attacked. If, on the other hand, he keeps turning the other cheek then he will be hurt more often because of trying to avoid fights.

Argentina initiated the Falklands war when its President tried to direct attention away from the persecution and economic failure of his own military regime at hom. Please remind me, Master of the Truth, why was your country beating up on small Asian countries such as Korea and Vietnam which had made no agressive moves against the USA at all. And why was it so quick to get involved when Iraq invaded Kuwait to recover territory which actually belonged to Iraq only a century ago. Could that have been about oil, do you think? And why did the USA use 911 as an excuse to invade Iraq again saying they were attacking AlQueda when there was no AlQueda connection at all.

Master of the Truth, people who live in glass houses...

Answer 7

Very Poor answer 'Master of the Truth'. Britian can see the truth of being a has been country and doesn't know what to do with itself. The same as France, the same as Russia. The Empire was largely dismantled and handed back after the second world war, and to be frank it was about time. So firstly its not really true that we try and protect all that we have left. Graham H makes a excellent point in stating that it should be up top the Falkland Islands inhabitants to decide where their loyalty lies and they chose the U.K. But going back to 'Master of the truth', America seems to know a lot more about beating up on third world defenceless countries doesn't it? I could list alot of them. Indeed, people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. 'Master of the truth' you are what is commonly known as a ****!!

Answer 8

I think that yes they do. Certainly the people on the Falklands care a good deal about being part of the United Kingdom. And to the UK's credit, they didn't flinch when the Argentines pulled that monkey business in 1982.

Answer 9

Like oil in the persian gulf, there are fish and possible oil reserves in them tere seas. While the Falklands remain in/ under UK protection the benefits of fisheries, reources, now and in the future remain.
If Argentina asked and made a good case to the people of the Falklands, Britain would relent. That case is yet to be made.

Answer 10

Turn the question around. Its the Falkland people who want to remain part of blighty. Good on them. I certainly care.