10-20-2020, 08:04 PM
Wilfred Hart, the newest member of the Referendum Party, flew to Gibraltar in May 1992 to deliver the following remarks:
Good evening.
It is a pleasure to deliver my first policy speech as a member of the Referendum Party with you here today. But today’s topic is anything but pleasant: it involves a war cooked up by the Conservative Government a matter of weeks away from a general election.
The crisis in the south Atlantic and the tensions with Argentina are not the result of an accident or even a lapse of judgement. They are the direct result of a policy decision made by the Prime Minister herself in a last-ditch effort to win votes in the upcoming election. It may come as little surprise to those who know the opportunism of Mrs. Lauria - who said she would not run for leader and then promptly did so - that she would do anything to win a single additional vote: even if it means putting our soldiers, sailors, and airmen at risk.
Even though the current tensions are the expected outcome of the Prime Minister’s policies, it does little good for our current situation to dwell on her lack of compassion for our troops - they are simply pawns to her. That is to say, the circumstances surrounding the Falklands - sovereign British territory, no doubt - have emerged regardless, and we must respond.
It is therefore incumbent upon responsible parties, such as the Referendum Party, to offer forth a solution that does three things. First, our strategy must win the conflict decisively once-and-for-all. Second, the plan must respect British interests abroad. Finally, we need to empower the people of the Falkland Islands and other territorial subjects. That is what I am proposing here today: the outline of a plan that will guarantee British sovereignty and influence not only in the south Atlantic, but around the world.
Friends, it wasn’t long ago that the sun did set on the British Empire. Successive weak governments have allowed us to lose territory on the basis of sentimentality. What remains of our glorious realm must be defended and protected, and our influence around the world must not be relegated to the history books. We must continue to play a strong role in promoting British interests, in defending democracy, and securing our territories around the world.
But first, we must focus on the task at hand - crushing Argentine aggression and exterminating their claim on the Falkland Islands. Instead of allowing our military capacity to remain stagnant and steady, the Referendum Party proposes to enact major spending on this vital area. The ability to engage wars in multiple theaters remains just as important today at the end of the 20th century as it did at the beginning of this century. We see this now with troops committed in Iraq and a conflict in Argentina.
The recent arrest of Argentine President Carlos Menem shows that the use of deadly and overwhelming force is a winning tactic. Our resolve cannot be shattered, will not be broken - but our enemies and adversaries have seen their dedication shaken. This is only possible through intense pressure and military superiority. To this end, we must continue to invest in a modern - no, futuristic - nuclear arsenal that is capable of being launched from land, sea, air, and in the future, space. This type of deterrent, capable of reaching any corner of the globe in a couple hours notice, will dissuade our opponents and ensure the further reach of our alliances.
Having laid out our plan to secure a decisive victory in the Falklands and prepare ourselves for victories in the future, I must now turn to protecting British interests abroad. As a globally integrated economy, our businesses have set up shop around the world. We cannot afford to have our business - small, medium, and large - and our investors continue to foot the bill when foreign governments go rogue. Nationalisation is never the solution, and expropriation by foreign powers must never be tolerated.
That is why the Referendum Party will lead the world in calling for a system of government-backed insurance for British-owned foreign investments. This policy will protect our economic stability and prowess, two major strengths of our system. But we must also endeavor to make expropriation a crime worldwide. If, for example, the Argentine hardliners decide to expropriate assets that belong to British citizens, we must be prepared to retaliate to the furthest extent of the law.
This government’s reckless actions have also made it increasingly difficult for British people to leave Argentina in a time where our militaries are engaged in combat. The accommodations made by the Swiss embassy are proving insufficient. Instead of allowing the Argentine government to dismiss our Ambassador, Britain should have doubled down and protected our embassy. A Referendum government will ensure that there is adequate protection in all of our embassies so that Her Majesty’s subjects can have a safe haven under the Union Jack.
Speaking of British subjects, we recognize the unique situation in the Falklands as one which requires us to reevaluate how integrated we are with those precious islands. The Referendum Party supports giving these British people the right to representation in Parliament through the creation of a constituency in the Falklands with the full privileges to elect an MP. We similarly support giving an MP to Gibraltar. These actions will ensure that British citizens in tense overseas settings have a direct voice in Westminster. In doing so, we will empower the Falkland Islanders who have now seen two major conflicts with Argentina attempting to eliminate their freedom under the British government in the course of a decade.
My friends, these are necessary steps to address the situation in the south Atlantic, and these are the steps that Referendum MPs will pursue. We will invest in our military so that we can fight global conflicts. We will build up a stronger nuclear arsenal to deter foreign aggression. We will protect Britons - regardless of whether they or their assets are abroad - by providing insurance and safe embassies. And we will deliver an MP for the Falkland Islands. Thank you.
Good evening.
It is a pleasure to deliver my first policy speech as a member of the Referendum Party with you here today. But today’s topic is anything but pleasant: it involves a war cooked up by the Conservative Government a matter of weeks away from a general election.
The crisis in the south Atlantic and the tensions with Argentina are not the result of an accident or even a lapse of judgement. They are the direct result of a policy decision made by the Prime Minister herself in a last-ditch effort to win votes in the upcoming election. It may come as little surprise to those who know the opportunism of Mrs. Lauria - who said she would not run for leader and then promptly did so - that she would do anything to win a single additional vote: even if it means putting our soldiers, sailors, and airmen at risk.
Even though the current tensions are the expected outcome of the Prime Minister’s policies, it does little good for our current situation to dwell on her lack of compassion for our troops - they are simply pawns to her. That is to say, the circumstances surrounding the Falklands - sovereign British territory, no doubt - have emerged regardless, and we must respond.
It is therefore incumbent upon responsible parties, such as the Referendum Party, to offer forth a solution that does three things. First, our strategy must win the conflict decisively once-and-for-all. Second, the plan must respect British interests abroad. Finally, we need to empower the people of the Falkland Islands and other territorial subjects. That is what I am proposing here today: the outline of a plan that will guarantee British sovereignty and influence not only in the south Atlantic, but around the world.
Friends, it wasn’t long ago that the sun did set on the British Empire. Successive weak governments have allowed us to lose territory on the basis of sentimentality. What remains of our glorious realm must be defended and protected, and our influence around the world must not be relegated to the history books. We must continue to play a strong role in promoting British interests, in defending democracy, and securing our territories around the world.
But first, we must focus on the task at hand - crushing Argentine aggression and exterminating their claim on the Falkland Islands. Instead of allowing our military capacity to remain stagnant and steady, the Referendum Party proposes to enact major spending on this vital area. The ability to engage wars in multiple theaters remains just as important today at the end of the 20th century as it did at the beginning of this century. We see this now with troops committed in Iraq and a conflict in Argentina.
The recent arrest of Argentine President Carlos Menem shows that the use of deadly and overwhelming force is a winning tactic. Our resolve cannot be shattered, will not be broken - but our enemies and adversaries have seen their dedication shaken. This is only possible through intense pressure and military superiority. To this end, we must continue to invest in a modern - no, futuristic - nuclear arsenal that is capable of being launched from land, sea, air, and in the future, space. This type of deterrent, capable of reaching any corner of the globe in a couple hours notice, will dissuade our opponents and ensure the further reach of our alliances.
Having laid out our plan to secure a decisive victory in the Falklands and prepare ourselves for victories in the future, I must now turn to protecting British interests abroad. As a globally integrated economy, our businesses have set up shop around the world. We cannot afford to have our business - small, medium, and large - and our investors continue to foot the bill when foreign governments go rogue. Nationalisation is never the solution, and expropriation by foreign powers must never be tolerated.
That is why the Referendum Party will lead the world in calling for a system of government-backed insurance for British-owned foreign investments. This policy will protect our economic stability and prowess, two major strengths of our system. But we must also endeavor to make expropriation a crime worldwide. If, for example, the Argentine hardliners decide to expropriate assets that belong to British citizens, we must be prepared to retaliate to the furthest extent of the law.
This government’s reckless actions have also made it increasingly difficult for British people to leave Argentina in a time where our militaries are engaged in combat. The accommodations made by the Swiss embassy are proving insufficient. Instead of allowing the Argentine government to dismiss our Ambassador, Britain should have doubled down and protected our embassy. A Referendum government will ensure that there is adequate protection in all of our embassies so that Her Majesty’s subjects can have a safe haven under the Union Jack.
Speaking of British subjects, we recognize the unique situation in the Falklands as one which requires us to reevaluate how integrated we are with those precious islands. The Referendum Party supports giving these British people the right to representation in Parliament through the creation of a constituency in the Falklands with the full privileges to elect an MP. We similarly support giving an MP to Gibraltar. These actions will ensure that British citizens in tense overseas settings have a direct voice in Westminster. In doing so, we will empower the Falkland Islanders who have now seen two major conflicts with Argentina attempting to eliminate their freedom under the British government in the course of a decade.
My friends, these are necessary steps to address the situation in the south Atlantic, and these are the steps that Referendum MPs will pursue. We will invest in our military so that we can fight global conflicts. We will build up a stronger nuclear arsenal to deter foreign aggression. We will protect Britons - regardless of whether they or their assets are abroad - by providing insurance and safe embassies. And we will deliver an MP for the Falkland Islands. Thank you.