Bill Luxton Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honourable
Bill Luxton
Constituency Am:the Camp
Assembly:Falkland Islands Legislative
Term Start:5 November 2009
Term End:4 November 2011
Predecessor:Richard Stevens
Successor:Ian Hansen
Office1:Member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Council
for Camp
Term Start1:12 October 1989
Term End1:22 November 2001
Predecessor1:Anthony Blake
Successor1:Norma Edwards
Birth Date:9 September 1940
Birth Place:Chartres, Falkland Islands
Birthname:William Robert Luxton
Party:Nonpartisan
Partner:Grizelda Cockwell
Children:3

William Robert Luxton (9 September 1940 – 11 February 2024)[1] was a Falkland Islander farmer and politician who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Camp constituency from the 2009 general election until his resignation in 2011.[2] Luxton was also a Member of the Legislative Council from 1989 to 2001, and served on the Executive Council of the Falkland Islands in the 1980s.[3]

Luxton was born in the Falkland Islands and educated in England.[1] After working on a farm in Romney Marsh he moved back to the islands to manage his family's farm at Chartres.[1] [3] In 1982 Argentina invaded and occupied the Falklands for 74 days during which time Luxton was identified by the Argentine military junta as a potential troublemaker. Along with his wife, Patricia, and their children, Luxton was deported to the UK where he became notable for giving numerous interviews about his experiences with the Argentine military.[4] Luxton and his family returned to the islands at the end of the Falklands War.[5]

Luxton's portfolios in the Falkland Islands Government included Civil Aviation, Development Corporation, Aquaculture and Rural Development.[3] Luxton was noted for his strong criticism of Argentina's policy on the Falkland Islands.[6] Luxton resigned from the Legislative Assembly in 2011 due to his prolonged absence from the Falklands, which was increasing the workload on other MLAs.[2] He was replaced by Ian Hansen in an uncontested by-election.[7]

He died in February 2024.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: In Memory of Bill Luxton: 1940 - 2024. Falkland Islands Newsletter. April 2024.
  2. News: Camp representative Bill Luxton steps down from Falklands' Legislative Assembly . MercoPress . 4 November 2011 . 17 December 2011.
  3. Web site: Bill Luxton bio . Falkland Islands Government . falklands.gov.fk . 20 March 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120505161303/http://www.falklands.gov.fk/assembly/Hon._Bill_Luxton.html . May 5, 2012 .
  4. News: Weeping Falklanders Beg To Go Back Home . The Modesto Bee . . 16 April 1982 . 20 March 2011.
  5. News: Britain Quickly Sobers Up After Victory . . 16 June 1982 . 20 March 2011.
  6. News: Argentina waging a 'vicious war' against the Falkland Islands . John Fowler . MercoPress . 4 March 2011. 20 March 2011.
  7. News: Falklands' by-election already has a firm MLA, Ian Hansen for the Camp . Janet Robertson . Janet Robertson . MercoPress . 30 November 2011 . 17 December 2011.