Falkland Islands

Debate between Lord Dubs and Baroness Winterton of Doncaster

Monday 7th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Lab)]

Our position is clear, as I have said. When it comes to raising this issue in international fora, I should say that my noble friend Lord Collins attended the Organization of American States on 24 June to provide a right of reply on the Falkland Islands on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, asserting UK sovereignty over the islands and their right of the islanders to choose their own future. We use those opportunities, at international level, to make our position absolutely clear.

[Lord Dubs (Lab)]

I welcome my noble friend to her post. Is it not a good thing that we are demonstrating clarity in our determination to defend the Falkland islanders and their right to self-determination? It stands in marked contrast to the Thatcher Government, who displayed weakness, took ships away from the Falklands and almost said to the Argentinians, “There you are, it’s yours if you want it”. We are standing in contrast to that and I congratulate the Government on it.

[Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for his welcome and for his support for our position. I reiterate again how important it is that there is a clear message from this House itself, so I welcome the political consensus that we have seen this afternoon and thank the noble Lord for his kind words.