Why Britain controls Falkland Islands

By Devon Dick

RECENTLY, PRINCE William, Duke of Cambridge, started to work as an RAF search-and-rescue pilot in the Falkland Islands, thereby providing cover for both the civilian and military population. The deployment comes as the Royal Navy sends one of its latest warships, the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, to the region on her maiden voyage. This operation will end in another two weeks.

Prince William's deployment speaks to the British egalitarian system which allows the prince to be involved in this challenging flying environment of the islands. In most part of the world, the ruling, wealthy class would not be put in harm's danger.

However, one needs to question what is Great Britain doing controlling the Falkland Islands, which are 7,700 miles away.

The Falkland Islands comprise some 778 islands. They are a self-governing British Overseas Territory, with the United Kingdom (UK) responsible for its defence and foreign affairs. At various times the islands have been French, British, Spanish, and Argentine settlements. Britain re-established its rule in 1833, the year before the Act of Emancipation was passed. The population is approximately 4,000, the majority of British descent.

No surprise

The answer as to why the UK is interested in these islands with such a small population appears to be that this is a legacy of British colonial mentality. This mentality was born out of a feeling of superiority of Europeans when compared to other peoples. It is also part of the empire mentality which claims that military might is right and a sign of God's approval. It is thinking that a Christian nation is God's chosen people and there is a right to help spread Christianity and civilisation, such as democracy and other so-called Western values. So it is not surprising when David Cameron, British prime minister, advocates that the giving of financial aid to receiving countries be tied to acceptance of British morality.

Britain's need to control other countries is not new. And British adherence to equality of Englishmen not being extended to the colonised is also not new. Therefore, what would not be tolerated in Britain was tolerated in the West Indian colonies.

Church's role

And the Church has played a role in colonisation. Baptist missionary James Phillippo was of the view that colonisation was part of God's plan to spread Christianity. Therefore, the British Christians must help the UK to move away from having overseas territories. In 1982, during the two-month war over the Falklands between Argentina and the UK, there was an Archbishop of Canterbury who refused to take sides in the war. That was a good example.

A few years ago, a group of British Baptists came to Jamaica to register their apology for slavery. The general secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union asked what are the fruits of repentance for slavery. I suggested that British Christians should end all overseas territories, including the Falklands. That suggestion was not countenanced, with the retort being that the islanders wanted to be British subjects. However, in this enlightened age of democracy and equality, overseas territories should be a thing of the past.

In addition, as Bev Carey in Maroon Story stated, the British educational system does not teach about the wealth transfer from the West Indies to UK. In fact, many children of Jamaican heritage are unaware of the heroics of Sam Sharpe. The English needs to be given the full truth.

Although Jamaica was no longer in slavery in 1860, Paul Bogle joined the Anti-slavery Society because of concern for peoples in slavery in Cuba, Brazil, etc. Likewise, Jamaicans need to advocate the end to colonialism worldwide.

Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew. Send comments to columns@gleanerjm.com