Former UK Foreign Office Permanent Secretary Lord McDonald has drawn sharp criticism from Boris Johnson for questioning the Falkland Islanders' right to self-determination and suggesting the UK's strategic interests have shifted since the 1982 conflict.
Johnson, writing in the Daily Mail, characterized McDonald's remarks on the Today programme as "immoral, stupid or dangerous," asserting that they disregard the Islanders' overwhelming desire to remain British, with 99% voting in favor of their current status as a British Overseas Territory in the last consultation.
McDonald's suggestion that the UK should cease subsidizing the islands' defense, potentially compelling them to accept Argentinian rule, was also condemned by Johnson. He argued that this stance insults the memory of the 255 British military personnel killed in the 1982 Falklands War and ignores the islands' growing prosperity, including the discovery of new oil fields.
Johnson contends that McDonald's analysis is "unrealistic about UK politics," suggesting that while some within the Labour party might agree with McDonald's perspective, such views are a minority in Britain. He believes any attempt by a UK government to coerce the islanders into submission to Argentina would face significant public backlash.
Furthermore, Johnson expressed concern that McDonald's comments, coming from a former senior diplomat, could be misinterpreted internationally, particularly in Argentina, as reflecting the official stance of the current UK government under Prime Minister Burnham. He linked this to what he described as Labour's "spineless" foreign policy, citing examples such as the Chagos Islands policy and concessions over Gibraltar.
The article also touches on the broader geopolitical context, referencing the perceived strain in UK-US relations under the current Labour government and Donald Trump's questioning of the US commitment to Falklands sovereignty. This, Johnson suggests, has emboldened Argentinian President Javier Milei, who, despite being an "anglophile and a Thatcherite," may leverage the situation for domestic political gain during his re-election campaign.
Johnson warned of an increased risk of provocation and potential miscalculation by Argentina, drawing a parallel to the Foreign Office's perceived complacency before the 1982 conflict. He urged Prime Minister Burnham to "grip this problem" by publicly reaffirming the Falklands' British status and dispatching military reinforcements immediately to deter any potential aggression.
"The Argentinians need to understand now that neither Gary Lineker nor Simon McDonald speak for the people of this country, and that Britain has a deep and implacable commitment to defending democracy," Johnson wrote, concluding with the Latin phrase 'Si vis pacem, para bellum,' meaning 'If you want peace, prepare for war.'