The Falklands Referendum

Islanders will go to the polls on March 10-11 to vote on a simple yes or no question: "Do you wish the Falkland Islands to retain their current political status as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom?"

The Government of the Falkland Islands has arranged for outside observers to monitor the referendum in order to prove it is free and fair.

Argentina claims British forces stole the territory from them 180 years ago and have ruled it as a colony ever since.

Islanders have predicted an overwhelming vote for "yes."

The authorities in the Falklands hope the vote will send a firm message to Argentina that islanders want to remain British.

In the 80s there was a war between the Argentina and Britain over the  Falkland Islands. It finished then with a great victory for Britain and Margaret Thatcher's government.