Working at one of the remotest Parliaments in the Commonwealth
What is it like to run a Legislature in a small and remote jurisdiction like the Falkland Islands?
In this blog article, Nick Roberts outlines his work with the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly and their relationship with the CPA.
Article posted on 22/10/2025.
With a population of just 3,600 people, the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean have a Legislature where eight elected Members take on the work of an entire Parliament — supported by only four staff.
With no Ministers, parties or party staff, all parliamentary service work falls to four officers: The Clerk, Personal Assistant & Deputy Clerk, Administration Assistant, and myself — the first Political Support & Community Outreach Officer, appointed in 2023 with the creation of the role. Previously, I was Deputy Editor of the national newspaper, Penguin News, where politics and government were my main focus.
Above: The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly meet in Gilbert House. Image copyright: Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly.
In the Office of the Legislative Assembly, I support Members by providing impartial research and reporting, writing public statements and correspondence, and assisting in meeting the goals of the Assembly’s collective manifesto, the Islands Plan. The collective goals of the Assembly are many, and have developed over the years, but always forefront in the minds of Members is the self-determination of the Falklands.
Locally this includes encouraging the highest possible election engagement. Turnout in the last election was enviably high — 77.2% in Stanley, and 86.6% in Camp, our rural constituency — but our goal is always to keep self-determination visible through participation.
Above: Recent Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly.
This year, I prepared guidance for candidates and voters, organised pre-election workshops and supported production of two election information videos funded by the CPA Small Branches Regional Initiative Fund.
Video 1: FALKLAND ISLANDS GENERAL ELECTION 2025 - WHY SHOULD I STAND FOR ELECTION? - watch video here
Video 2: FALKLAND ISLANDS GENERAL ELECTION 2025 - WHY SHOULD I VOTE? - watch video here
Ahead of the election on 11 December 2025, the Falkland Islands are also eagerly awaiting the visit of a group of election observers to be sent by the CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Region. This will only be the second international observation of a democratic process here, the first being the sovereignty referendum in 2013, when 99.8% of voters, on a 93% turnout, chose to remain a British Overseas Territory. This referendum was identified as free and fair by observers, and the Islands are eager to show the same in our general election in December.
This is just one of a number of ways that the Falklands work with the CPA.
On an individual level, I’ve been very pleased to complete the CPA Parliamentary Academy and Parliamentary Service Professional Development Certificates, which helped to deepen and formalise my understanding of legislative processes, parliamentary procedure and what makes an effective parliamentary service.
On the organisational level, the Legislative Assembly also regularly sends Elected Members to CPA Conferences at an international and regional level, and are always eager to engage with fellow Commonwealth Nations in information sharing and building relationships.
We also regularly meet with Members of the Canadian Federal Branch of the CPA, visiting Ottawa during an annual visit to North America for the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation (C24). I have been proud to attend as part of the delegation on the last two trips, and each time we have been grateful to be warmly welcomed by Hon. Alexandra Mendès, MP, Chair of the CPA Canada Federal Branch – as well as other Parliamentarians and officers.
Above: The delegation from the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly visit the CPA Canada Federal Branch in Ottawa.
The rest of the annual visit to North America is a more challenging one. For decades, Elected Members have appealed to the United Nations’ C24 Committee for recognition of our right to self-determination. This year, the people of the Falklands were grateful for support for our self-determination from Timor-Leste, and fellow Commonwealth Nations, Fiji and Sierra Leone.
Yet the outcome remains the same, calling for the United Kingdom and Argentina to negotiate over the Falklands — which would not include Falkland Islanders, as the Government of Argentina does not recognise us as a people.
Thankfully, the Falkland Islands benefit from a strong relationship with the UK. Our right to self-determination has long been affirmed across UK parties, giving reassurance even as international recognition remains limited. This relationship with the UK extends also to attending Party Conferences, the Joint Ministerial Council and hosting visiting MPs, with delegations spanning parties and devolved governments alike.
Above: The Chamber of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly.
There’s excitement and great interest ahead of the December General Election, with candidates hoping to proudly represent the Falkland Islands locally and overseas. I personally look forward to welcoming the election observers and, after the election, to supporting the new Assembly in their work over the next four years, drawing on the skills and insights I’ve gained through the CPA online courses.
I personally hope the next Assembly will bring more opportunities to engage with fellow Commonwealth nations and the CPA, and Elected Members welcome curiosity about the Falkland Islands. Though we are one of the CPA’s smaller branches we like to believe, our challenges, experiences and enthusiasm for collaboration are part of the Commonwealth’s shared strength.
- To find out more about the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly please click here and the CPA Falkland Islands Branch click here.
- To find out more about the CPA Small Branches network please click here.
To read more blog articles please click here.
