While Parliament was in recess, I've been in the Falkland Islands with cross-party members of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. The key mission of British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) is to deter any military action that could undermine British sovereignty and the islanders' right to self-determination.
We saw how all three services have crucial roles, both separately & working together. Most visibly, the Royal Air Force has four Typhoons which provide a quick reaction response, alongside a new Atlas A400M & a Voyager for refuelling. From the Royal Navy
HMS Medway is currently patrolling the waters around the Falklands, providing significant reassurance. It was a memorable experience to be aboard as she set sail for South Georgia.
Infantry companies of the British Army spend three month tours on the Islands. C Company, "The Rabbits", 1st Batallion, Scots Guards, is the current resident company; its soldiers train & carry out operations across the rugged terrain in all weathers. Experiencing some of their activities alongside them reinforced my admiration for their profound sense of duty & patriotism. It was the Scots Guards who brought the most memorable & poignant moment on the trip, when they led a short, simple memorial service at the summit of Mount Tumbledown - the scene of a vital battle for the Regiment as British forces took back the Islands in 1982; no one in the Falklands will forget their sacrifice.
Discussions with Falkland Islands Government highlighted the diversity of the population: around 80 nationalities live here. There are strong plans for the economy & the environment; tourism is growing again after Covid, and there is a real sense of purpose for the sustainable development of these beautiful Islands. Visiting the secondary school in Port Stanley showed there is an ambitious and talented next generation to continue the progress that's been made on the Islands in recent years. Talking with the Deputy Governor was a reminder of both the past conflict and the current challenges that Argentina still presents to the Falkland Islanders.
Meeting members of the Falkland Islands Government Legislative Assembly at the end of our visit underlined the absolute & unwavering determination of Islanders to decide their future for themselves. This is their fundamental right, unequivocally backed by the UK government. The Falklands are & will remain British 
