Teslyn Siobhan Barkman (born 17 November 1987)^[1] is a Falkland Island journalist and politician who has served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Camp constituency since the 2017 general election.^[2] Prior to entering politics, she was a journalist for Penguin News.

Career

While working for Penguin News, she expressed concern about plans for Members of the Legislative Assembly to earn a full-time wage of £40,000, arguing that it was too high and would not attract suitable candidates.^[3] In 2013, she was part of a delegation that travelled to the United States to lobby the United States Congress to recognise the results of the 2013 Falkland Islands sovereignty referendum.^[4] Later that year, she stood for election in the 2013 Falkland Islands general election^[5] being one of the youngest candidates standing and the only one under 30.^[3][6] However, she failed to win a seat in the Stanley constituency, finishing sixth in the poll.^[7][8]

In 2014 she started work at the Public Relations and Media Office for Falkland Islands Government.^[9] Following this, in 2017, she stood for election to the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands again, this time standing in the Camp constituency. She won a seat in the Legislative Assembly at the 2017 Falkland Islands general election by gathering the second largest number of votes in the Camp constituency and also became the youngest ever woman to be elected to the assembly, at 29.^[10]