The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1992Prime Minister (1990-1997)

Mr Major’s Christmas Message to the Falkland Islands – 25 December 1992

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Below is the text of Mr Major’s Christmas message to the Falkland Islands, recorded on Monday 7th December 1992.

PRIME MINISTER:

At every Conservative Party conference, I make a point of visiting the Falkland Islands stand. It is a reminder that although you are far away in miles you occupy a prominent place in our thoughts and in our affections.

It has not been an uneventful year for any of us. Throughout Europe we face one of the longest and deepest recessions that we have ever known and I know that you face problems too, especially over your income from fisheries and because of the low world price for wool. Let us hope that 1993 will be a better year for all of us. For you it will I know see the start of the seismic survey which will show at last whether there is oil in commercial quantities in Falklands’ waters. We have our fingers crossed for you.

Norma and I were very sorry not to visit you during your heritage year but I have heard of its success and I warmly congratulate you upon it. As you can imagine, problems near home have loomed large this year and have prevented me from travelling very far afield but I hope I shall be able to remedy what is undoubtedly my loss before too long and I do hope you realise that out of sight does not mean out of mind. We continue to give very high priority to your interests and to your welfare and not from a sense of duty alone hut because of the genuine strength of feeling for you here at home in Britain.

Hardly a day goes by when we do not owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women of the Armed Forces and not least of course for what they do in the Falkland Islands, It is at this time of the year that family separations are the hardest to bear so I send the men and women of the Armed Forces in the Falklands my very special thanks and good wishes for Christmas; I know that goes for the people of the Falkland Islands as well.

On behalf of the Government, my own family and everyone else in Britain may I send you my very warmest greetings for a Happy Christmas and wish you the very best of good fortune in the New Year.