Why does Britain control the Falklands and why does Argentina want islands?
Argentina makes a renewed claim for ownership of islands, which are a British Overseas Territory, ahead of World Cup 2026 football game with England
Yvette Cooper has insisted that sovereignty of the Falkland Islands is “not going to change”, as Argentina makes renewed calls for ownership of the territory.
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The British foreign secretary has said Argentine fans filmed singing in support of their desire for the Malvinas should “focus on the football," as England prepares for its World Cup 2026 semi-final with the nation.
Ms Cooper told LBC: “The UK position remains the same. The Falklands are British and they have right to self-determination. That remains the position."
"I know there's a lot of focus suddenly on all of these things again because of the football match, but actually we should concentrate on the football match."
The Falklands has come under renewed focus after the Argentine foreign secretary called for it to come under Buenos Aires governance on the eve of the World Cup tie.
Ms Cooper said in response: “In 2013, the people of the Falkland Islands voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory.”
Trump's 'Falkland Islands review'
Sir Keir Starmer previously said the UK "will not be pressured" by Donald Trump and the Falkland Islands will continue to be a British Overseas Territory.
The prime minister hit back after the US president said he could review the rule of the archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, which has been a British asset since 1833.
Mr Trump said he was open to reconsidering US diplomatic support for “imperial possessions” attached to Europe, including the Falkland Islands, which is claimed by Argentina, which refers to them as the Islas Malvinas.
His stance came on the back of Sir Keir being initially resistant to allowing the US to use their airbases, which led to the president saying he was "no Winston Churchill".
The current leader of Argentina, Javier Milei, is one of Mr Trump’s closest allies and wants the islands under his control, even though the Falklanders voted 99.8% in favour of remaining an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom in the 2013 referendum.
No 10 said in response: "We could not be clearer about the UK’s position on the Falkland Islands.
"It's long-standing. It’s unchanged. Sovereignty rests with the UK, and the Islands’ right to self-determination is paramount.
"That's been our consistent position and will remain the case. The PM has been clear repeatedly that he won’t be pressured."
Why does Britain control the Falklands?
The Falkland Islands are some 300 miles east of Argentina and are an archipelago formed of two main islands, the eastern side being the location of the capital city and only major settlement of Stanley.
With a population of 3,600, around the number within a British village, and a land mass of 12,000 sq kilometers, around the size of Qatar, the islands remained uninhabited until the 1760s when French, British, and latterly Spanish explorers moved in. France ceded their territory to Spain.
The islands were under dual control for a few decades. Britain was left in sole control as part of the concessions that followed the Napoleonic Wars in 1812.
Throughout the 19th century, the islands became a key base for shipping and provided a point for emergency repairs. This led the UK to defend it against an Argentinian invasion in the 19th century and then defeat German forces in the Battle of the Falkland Islands in 1914 as part of the First World War.
The UK held sovereignty discussions with Argentina in the 1960s and 1970s, with British governments becoming concerned at the costs of upkeep, but ultimately held on as Buenos Aires became increasingly hostile.
The Falklands War then broke out in 1982, with Argentina invading in April and occupying every island before British forces responded and, by June, had regained all of the territory.
In 1983, all Falklanders were given UK citizenship and it continues to be an overseas territory, despite continued aspirations in Argentina to gain the Falklands back.
Can British people live in the Falklands?
As a British Overseas Territory, UK residents can apply to live in the Falkland Islands, but will need permission and potentially a job offer and accommodation.
Falkland Islands Status, and the right to vote and buy property can be obtained after seven years.
British citizens can stay in the Falkland Islands for up to one month without a visa.
Does the Falkland Islands have the NHS?
The Falkland Islands is not covered by the NHS but has its own system, which is closely modelled on it.