Big Jim's Falklands Moment

If Argentina invaded the Falklands in 1977 and Callaghan sent a task force to reclaim the islands would the resultant celebrations tempt him to call an election in '78 and win?
 
If Argentina invaded the Falklands in 1977 and Callaghan sent a task force to reclaim the islands would the resultant celebrations tempt him to call an election in '78 and win?

Maybe. It’s not impossible to see. That would be an interesting point of diversion. I’d like to see someone with more knowledge of British politics go on the effects down the line.
 
It’s not impossible to see.

Yes it is. I would say that the earliest point at which the junta could have switched from thinking of an invasion as a pipe dream to something potentially doable was 14 February 1979 - the day Ark Royal was decommissioned for the last time. As long as the RN had a fleet carrier in service, even a somewhat decrepit one, even a successful invasion would have been unsustainable.
 
Not to mention that the junta bless their innocent little hearts apparently worked on the assumption that as a woman Margaret Thatcher would not have the stomach for conflict. As failures of analysis go....
Obviously never read Kipling or took on board Golda Meir in Israel !
 
Maybe. It’s not impossible to see. That would be an interesting point of diversion. I’d like to see someone with more knowledge of British politics go on the effects down the line.

You want it...

Feb 1977. Argentina invades Falklands Islands. Callaghan orders task force led by Ark Royal to recapture them. Foreign Secretary David Owen goes to UN to get support for military action. US sides with UK while USSR objects.

Feb-Apr 1977. Whilst attention is focused on South Atlantic Callaghan and Healey are able to push through statutory incomes policy with help of Liberals

April 1977. Argentina surrenders. UK installs permanent defence force on islands.

March 1978. Callaghan calls election on "Britain Stands Tall" ticket. Labour win 6 seat majority.
 

raharris1973

Gone Fishin'
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If the Argentines attack in March or April 1979, could that be a "spring surprise" allowing Callaghan to win in May?
 
If the Argentines attack in March or April 1979, could that be a "spring surprise" allowing Callaghan to win in May?

Possibly but Callaghan as ex navy may feel that calling an election shortly following the end of the conflict and the resultant deaths might be in bad taste. Plus he still had inflation to deal with.
 
You want it...

Feb 1977. Argentina invades Falklands Islands. Callaghan orders task force led by Ark Royal to recapture them. Foreign Secretary David Owen goes to UN to get support for military action. US sides with UK while USSR objects.
The junta was very anti communist I think the USSR would probably abstain
 
The junta was very anti communist I think the USSR would probably abstain

I've mentioned this before, but I have clear memories of the USSR giving at least verbal support to Argentina during the War. But it's almost impossible to find any information about this on-line.

I think the Soviets at the time had some sort of trade agreement with the Argentina that might have predisposed them to that side? Again, this is sort of patched together from blurred memories.
 
There are also suggestions that there were Soviet subs helping the RN by trailing their coats off the River Plate, pretending to be HMS Superb.
There is another story that the Soviet submarines were there to keep an eye on things so British Intelligence spread misinformation of Superb's movements to align with the actual Soviet submarines. Allegedly.
 
I think the Soviets at the time had some sort of trade agreement with the Argentina that might have predisposed them to that side? Again, this is sort of patched together from blurred memories.

Even if they didn't, it would have made perfect sense not to hinder divisions in the anti-communist camp.
 
´similar ambitions´as you wrote and i am pretty sure that the Russian Federation is not trying to start a communist world revolution or something similar.
But now we are moving into current politics and should stop here.

Neither was the USSR after Trotzky was ousted.
Russia keeps meddling at a global level, although it doesn't have the means it had once.

But yes, perhaps we should move to a more suitable forum.
 

raharris1973

Gone Fishin'
Donor
Monthly Donor
I think despite ideological antipathy, that, Argentina and the Soviet Union had a food deal in the 1979-early 1980s period after the US suspended wheat sales. At the same time, the one pro-Argentina member of Reagan's cabinet, Al Haig, did so because he was grateful for Argentina's assistance in organizing the Nicaraguan Contras.
 
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