On the 13th June, we marked 40 years since the UK’s victory in Port Stanley and the ultimate end of the Falklands War.
To mark this significant anniversary, I had the privilege of opening a Members Debate in the Scottish Parliament to commemorate the War on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives.
It was a privilege to have the opportunity to speak on the subject, while paying tribute to those who lost their lives and thanking the veterans for their service in the 74 day war, in which 255 British troops were killed, along with 3 Islanders.
As a result of the UK’s military campaign, Falkland Islanders have had their right to self-determination upheld and this is guaranteed under the protection of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands, head quartered at RAF Mount Pleasant.
At a commemoration event held in the Parliament, I had the opportunity to hear from Richard Hyslop, the Falkland Islands Representative to the UK.
It was insightful to hear the progress and change that has occurred on the Islands over the past four decades, including the nation’s progression from just wool production and agriculture, to tourism, fishing and the oil and gas sectors, whilst the population has close to doubled.
However, there were also wider, more global ripples felt from the Falklands War.
The Argentine Junta fell not long after the end of the war, removing military rule from Argentina and welcoming more democracy.
Additionally, it must be remembered that this conflict was the UK’s first largescale military engagement following the Suez Crisis of 1956.
Our military was still lacking in confidence and standing wounded on the world stage, whilst more widely the US was suffering following the Iranian Hostage Crisis and Vietnam.
This West therefore no longer looked the powerhouse that had come to be expected.
However, the conflict and clear political and military leadership reignited British resolve, with a strong campaign and Armed Forces and others eager to perform to protect freedoms and show a united front against aggression; talk was simply no longer enough, action had to be taken.
I remember the war and the daily late evening BBC reports back when I was in my early twenties; although, I realise that much of Scotland is now too young to recall the events on those islands in any detail from that time.
Crucially, we cannot allow for the sacrifices of so many to protect the freedoms of the Islanders to be forgotten. Veterans too, many Scots among them, have many and mixed memories, some deeply painful and they deserve our continuing understanding and support.
As I reflected prior to the parliamentary debate, I recalled that 2 years after the conclusion of the Falklands War in 1982 we commemorated the 40th anniversary of D Day.
At that time, I felt that D Day and World War Two seemed a lifetime ago. However, the passing of years does not reduce the significance of any conflict and the Falklands War remains, as does WW2 for those who endured, very real for the Islanders, for the many troops who fought and for the families of those who died to loyally protect the Islands.
Ultimately, we should be proud as a nation of our efforts in 1982 and our continued commitment to the Falkland Islanders 40 years on.