Robert Jenrick has slammed Labour for being “too weak” on their position on the Falkland Islands.
Javier Milei falsely declared the Falkland Islands to be “Argentinian” and branded the British territory “our future” during a highly anticipated national address on the archipelago.
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The Argentine President began his televised speech by declaring: “The Falklands are Argentinian. Historically and legally. There can be no argument. They are part of the Argentine territory.”
The libertarian leader warned that his country’s claim to the British territory was facing a “clear and present danger” as he accused the UK of “failing to heed” United Nations calls not to take “unilateral actions” on the islands.
Mr Milei said: “For more than 50 years, the United Nations have been calling Argentina and the United Kingdom not to undertake unilateral actions on the territory of the islands until the dispute is resolved, including the use of its national resources.
“However, the United Kingdom has systematically failed to heed that call.”
Writing on social media, Reform UK’s economic spokesman Robert Jenrick blamed Labour for the escalation.
He said: “The sacrifice of our Falklands veterans is set to be betrayed. Why? The Argentinians have taken one look at Burnham and Streeting and worked out that they’re a pair of simps, too weak to defend our Islands. What are they going to do? Flutter their eyelashes at Milei?”
Responding to the fraudulent claims, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Milei’s statement overnight tells us more about domestic politics in Argentina than it does about the Falkland Islands.
“The Falklands are British because Falkland Islanders choose to be British. Our commitment to the Falklands is absolute and unshakeable.”
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband added: “The UK’s position on the Falkland Islands is unwavering. The Islands are British and will remain so because that is the overwhelming position of the Islanders. Their right of self-determination is paramount, grounded in international law and we will resolutely uphold it.”
Kemi Badenoch blamed Argentina’s threats over the Falkland Islands on the Government’s plans to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
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The Tory leader wrote on X: “Javier Milei claims to admire Margaret Thatcher but forgets this lesson: Britain does not surrender to bullies. If he wants a stronger Argentina, he should build its economy, not threaten others.
“But there’s also a lesson here for our sleepy Labour government. The madness of surrendering the Chagos Islands means other countries are now trying their luck. If we do not defend our own interests, whether on energy or territory, others will happily exploit that weakness.”
Downing Street has said that the UK seeks to bolster its diplomatic ties with Argentina following the controversial press conference.
A No 10 spokeswoman pointed to Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband’s vow to “resolutely uphold” the self-determination of the islands.
She continued: “More broadly we continue to have a diplomatic relationship with Argentina, and from our perspective we want to continue to strengthen that. They are already our third largest trading partner in the region, and that will continue.”
The UK also backs the Falkland Islanders’ right to drill for oil, the official said.
“The UK supports the right of the Falkland Islanders to develop their natural resources for their own economic benefit, and this is an integral part of their right to self-determination.
“And their decision to pursue hydrocarbon production is a commercial decision for them to take alongside the companies involved.”
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