The majority of income comes from fishing licences. Regulations which underpin the industry make conservation of living marine resources the highest priority and the zone has been described by outsiders as one of the best run fisheries in the world. This is supplemented principally by income from agriculture, eco-tourism and taxation. We have been through a major land reform programme which transferred virtually all agricultural land from absentee landlords to owner occupiers. There is constant full employment, and wealth is widely distributed.
Education is free of charge, as are medical and other community services.
The political and economic independence that the Falklands have gained over the past few years gives us a genuine sense of worth and achievement, and we see no reason to change our strong wish to be allowed to determine our own political allegiance, which is to Britain. Successive British governments have recognised and supported that right, which is very clearly enshrined in the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Self determination is the right of all peoples. The Argentine claim to sovereignty over the Falklands does not have any basis in civilised constitutional thinking. The colonial era, when Dependent Territories were simply told what to do whether they liked it or not, is long past.