Leaders in the Falkland Islands have issued a stern warning directed at Nigel Farage following a statement from a Reform MP that did not rule out the possibility of sending asylum seekers to the islands.
The Falkland Islands Assembly expressed dissatisfaction with Mr. Farage’s party for misunderstanding the territory’s autonomy in governing itself. This response was triggered by Sarah Pochin, a key figure in Mr. Farage’s party, not dismissing the idea of deporting migrants to the Falklands if the party assumes power.
Asserting their self-governing status as a British Overseas Territory, the Assembly emphasized that they hold full responsibility for their domestic affairs, including immigration. They emphasized that any decisions affecting them must involve their consent, highlighting their constitutional position and right to self-determination.
During a recent debate in Westminster Hall, Runcorn and Helsby MP Ms. Pochin avoided ruling out the option of sending asylum seekers to British Overseas territories like the Falklands or Gibraltar. Gibraltar swiftly rejected participating in such plans, clarifying that immigration policy falls under their jurisdiction and they do not support processing asylum seekers there.
While Mr. Farage has proposed deporting a significant number of individuals within a specific timeframe, the destination and associated costs remain unclear.
Labour MP Luke Charters challenged Ms. Pochin to definitively rule out the possibility of sending asylum seekers to the Falklands and other overseas territories, labeling such a scenario as concerning and unrealistic. Despite the pressure, Ms. Pochin refused to categorically exclude any potential policies regarding asylum processing in these territories.
In response to the ongoing debate, the Falkland Islands assembly reiterated their commitment to determining their own future and welcomed engagement from UK parties or MPs seeking a better understanding of their community and governance structure.
Following Ms. Pochin’s noncommittal stance, Labour MP Kevin Bonavia criticized her for not explicitly dismissing the utilization of the Falklands for asylum dispersal, referencing the historical significance of the islands in the conflict against Argentine invasions in 1982.
