A striking generational gap has emerged over British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, a new poll has revealed.
The survey of 2,041 adults by More in Common reveals just nine per cent of those aged 18 to 24 believe it is "very important" for the territory to remain under British control.
By contrast, nearly half of respondents aged 75 and over hold this view, with 42 per cent of those between 65 and 74 sharing the sentiment.
Across the broader population, 29 per cent rated continued British sovereignty as very important.
An additional 19 per cent of young voters described the matter as "quite important," slightly below the 22 per cent average figure for respondents.
The findings come amid heightened diplomatic tensions following a leaked White House memo last week, suggesting Washington could withdraw backing for Britain's Falklands claim as retaliation for the UK's refusal to support the Iran war.
It sparked a diplomatic crisis, and emboldened Argentina to reassert its territorial demands over the islands.
Both Falkland Islanders and Sir Keir Starmer condemned Buenos Aires's move, with the Prime Minister's spokesman stating he could "not be clearer" that the islands were a sovereign British Overseas Territory.
Most Britons cite the 'symbolic value' of the Falkland islands, and would support the Government 'standing its ground'
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio subsequently sought to downplay the row, describing it to The Telegraph as "just an email", and suggesting the crisis had been exaggerated.
Luke Tryl, More in Common's UK director, noted the islands held "symbolic value" for many Britons, adding that the public would support the Government "standing its ground."
Despite the generational divide on sovereignty, a majority of the British public would back military action to defend the islands.
The poll found 56 per cent of respondents would support deploying armed forces, should Argentina launch an invasion.
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This position saw cross-party backing, with 73 per cent of Reform UK supporters in favour, followed by 66 per cent of Conservative voters, and 64 per cent of Labour supporters.
That said, opinion was more divided on whether Britain could mount such a defence independently.
Forty-six per cent believed the UK possessed the capability to protect the Falklands without assistance, while 24 per cent disagreed.
A further 30 per cent of those surveyed said they did not know whether Britain could defend the territory alone.
Just nine per cent of those aged 18 to 24 believe it is "very important" for the territory to remain under British control
| GETTYShadow defence secretary James Cartlidge insisted the Falklands' status was "not up for negotiation."
He said: "Obviously, we all hope that a situation in which we have to fight to retake the Falklands never arises. But in a world with growing threats on all fronts, this underlines why Labour needs to go to 3 per cent on defence this Parliament and fully invest in our Armed Forces."
Meanwhile, a Reform UK spokesman declared the party would "not hesitate to ever defend our British Overseas Territories."
A Ministry of Defence spokesman described the Government's commitment to protecting Falklands sovereignty as "unshakeable," citing RAF Typhoon jets and robust air, land and maritime forces stationed there.