SARK yesterday took another step on the path from a feudal system to democracy. But after last night’s meeting of Chief Pleas, members hit out at the pressure to change applied by both Guernsey and the UK.

There was little dissent in the air as it passed a draft law setting out how its government will be made up from December 2008 for four years. If approved by the Privy Council, in that period there will be 16 conseillers and 12 tenants elected by universal suffrage, with a referendum being held in 2011 on whether to go for 28 conseillers instead.

The Constitution 2007 Committee is leading the reforms. President Paul Armorgie said it had been a long process, but things were moving forward.

‘I know to the outside world it must seem we’ve been dragging our feet and dealing in minute detail, but these things are difficult,’ he said.

Deputy Armorgie described the four years as a transitional period, adding that the reforms were vital.

‘We’ve got bogged down in the politics of politics and we’ve had to put a number of things on hold to do with legislation we should have been dealing with.

‘Now I think we have the mandate for Chief Pleas to move forward.

‘It will not be universally accepted – there will still be people who feel they’re not being represented, so we have to be aware of that.’

Deputy Armorgie added there was great concern about the fact Guernsey was being prevented from signing a document on its constitutional relationship with the UK because of Sark’s position on how Chief Pleas was elected.

‘We felt we were being held to ransom for Guernsey being denied recognition. It’s grossly unfair because Sark is a separate jurisdiction.’

He added that Sark had been made Guernsey’s scapegoat.

‘There are more important issues in Guernsey that Guernsey needs to be dealing with.’

It was a situation Chief Pleas would have to be aware of in the future, he said.

‘Whatever your political persuasion, there’s a huge desire for Sark to remain independent.’

Independence was a key issue for tenant Kaye Char, who opposed the changes.

‘My personal concern has been the amount of influence that has been put on the island from different external views,’ she said.

‘There has been quite a lot from the UK.’

She felt Sark might one day want to gain more independence, like the Ascension Islands are now.

‘I see us as having quite a lot of independence, having been influenced by the UK perhaps more than what we might have realised.’

There were two amendments made to the draft law – the wording of the referendum and extending to a year the period in which it can be held.

Members were advised that other propositions on the table, including setting a four-year residential qualifying period to be a member of Chief Pleas, would require the law to come back before the body again. They rejected that proposition, a stipulation that there be a minimum of 28 seats and also candidates would need at least 25 votes to be elected. Debate on the subject took only 45 minutes.

n Chief Minister Mike Torode said he was pleased for the people of Sark and hoped the move would be met with council approval.

‘I’m optimistic that it will be passed,’ said Deputy Torode.

‘But let’s see what the Privy Council are going to say as it’s very difficult to pre-judge their decision.’