MPs visit Falklands to learn about UK military

Two MPs have visited the Falkland Islands as part of a programme to help politicians understand the UK's military capabilities.

The Labour MP for Northampton South, Mike Reader, and Sarah Bool, the Conservative MP for South Northamptonshire, made the five-day trip as part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme.

The UK and Argentina went to war over the British overseas territory in 1982.

Ms Bool said: "It was very moving. We went to Goose Green... that was the most profound moment for me [because] you just think about what the [soldiers] did. You have a lot of respect for our military."

The 10-week Falklands War, which claimed 1,000 lives including 255 British personnel, began when Argentina's military dictator, Leopoldo Galtieri, ordered an invasion of the islands.

Britain, under Margaret Thatcher's government, sent a naval task force to reclaim them.

Although Argentina surrendered, it still asserts sovereignty over the Falklands, located 300 miles off its coast.

The MPs were part of a group of 12 politicians selected to go to the Falklands.

Hosted by British Forces South Atlantic Islands, they took part in rifle and pistol training with The Royal Gurkha Rifles, toured HMS Forth, and visited Bristow to learn about operations in the region.

Mr Reader said: "It was such an honour to go. Within the first day we had a lot of briefings about the significance of why we were there. But it is quite a remote place. It took us 18 hours to get there.

"It's such a privilege. There's no better way to understand our military."

Ms Bool added: "We were offered the opportunity to go out to the Falklands so that we could understand our defence capabilities out there.

"You get to talk to the troops and so you get a very different view of it."

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