Falklanders vote
| Falkland Independence Referendum |
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The Falklanders vote was a refferendum that went from the 16th of August 2024 to the 18th of August 2024 which sough to put Falklander independence to a pubic vote. The referendum came after multiple taxation increases on the island and decreasing of autonomy from the English government with addition to more restrictions on fishing of which was the Falklands primary export.
Referendum details
At the time of the referendum, the Falkland Islands were an overseas territory of the Kingdom of England. The islands were internally self-governed until the Great split in which the English government attempted to restrain autonomy on its overseas territories to ensure more domestic control. This would result in the English government raising taxes to economically have more power over its territories leading to a massive dent in the Falklander economy.
Arguments
Independence
People on the pro-independence side argued that the Falkland economy when self-maintained operated much better than when the English government added restrictions and increased taxes, furthermore it was argued that their laws should not be dictated by a parliament thousands of kilometres away by people who do not understand life on the islands.
Overseas status
People who wanted to maintain overseas status saw it more as the Falkland Islands could not protect itself from foreign advisories like Argentina nor could it ensure security on its fishing waters, furthermore it was a sense that the Falklands should be British.
Results
The referendum resulted in a clear independence landslide by 70% to 24%, independence would not come instantly and would be met with disagreement from the English government who increased the garrison size on the Falklands by an additional platoon of 16. The added garrison would lead to social strife and eventually a small scale skirmish which resulted in the Falklander victory, however the Falkland government would go into negotiations with the English and would result in the agreement that:
- All military installations on the island must give unrestricted access to the English Armed Forces
- The Falklands must continue to use the English pound
- The Falklands must remain in the commonwealth
- The King of England must remain ceremonial head of state
- The Falklands must politically support England
Independence
Independence was granted on the 22nd of September 2024 and the Falklands would become a republic however maintain the King as a ceremonial head, the Governor of the Falkland Islands was disbanded and changed to the President of the Falkland Islands. The creation of the republic would also lead to the Falkland Islands Defence Force becoming the military arm of the Falkland and disbanding itself from the English Army.