‘Intentions were made quite clear’
Friday 12th December 2008, 2:21PM GMT.
SARK Estate manager Kevin Delaney (pictured) said that Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay had made it obvious in the run-up to the election what they would do if their preferred candidates were not elected.
‘We made our position clear that if we ended up with a new Chief Pleas that was blatantly anti-Barclay, it would be impossible to carry on investing in Sark,’ he said. ‘We have been open about it, perhaps a bit abrasive at times, but no-one can accuse us of not laying out our stall.’
He said 18 months ago when Sir Frederick and Sir David had first began investing in Sark, it was clear that the island was suffering from years of a lack of investment.
‘We came in and made that investment and it was a win-win situation,’ he said. ‘We invested in the tourism industry and the tourism industry is the engine that drives the Sark economy. We used local labour on what we saw as a 15-year project with probably £5m. of investment per year.’
This was all based on the Barclays getting co-operation from the political establishment, which Mr Delaney said they had received a fair bit of resistance from.
Sark was halfway through its second winter of full employment, something it had never seen before, he said.
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Although it is fair to say that some of the Barclays aproaches have been stronger than absolutely necesary, the establishment in Sark have played strong arm tactics of there own and after years of looking after a priviledged few, many of us “average” residents in Sark are tired of being ignored. There has been consistently poor investment in sarks infrastructure and this has led to a perpetual decline in Tourism which is our primary economic driver.
Without investment which the Isle of Sark simply does not have on its own merit, Sark will collapse. We are allready underwriting roughly £600,000 worth of loans for Sark Shipping which we would be hard pushed to repay if required.
no-one has won anything and all have lost spectacularly, especialy those now represented by our elected government that is showing little intention of working in the interest of all islanders, but looks like the a wolf in sheeps clothing. Putin would be proud.
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“Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay had made it obvious in the run-up to the election what they would do if their preferred candidates were not elected.”
Surely this is tantamount to subverting the democratic process the Barclay Bros were so keen on forcing Sark to implement.
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All this shows is that the Barclay brothers have officially confirmed their use of threats to gain power in Sark. Yes, they may well have been “honest” about the consequences of an anti-Barclay vote however that doesn’t justify their actions which were tantamount to blackmail.
It’s like a thug threatening to beat up an old lady if she doesn’t hand over her handbag, beating her up when she refuses, then justifying his actions by saying “well I did warn her.”
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I think it is essential that the States of Guernsey, and possibly the States of Jersey albeit with somewhat less of a legal obligation than Guernsey, agree to provide Sark with a guarantee of lifeline financial support to prop up their economy following the pullout by the Barclays. They are clearly going to need all kinds of support, both financial and otherwise.
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It appears that there will be winners and losers on both sides. I think the pulling out of investment in Sark by the Barclay brothers has childish skitty fit written all over it. There main problem being that they like many before them, have reckoned that there financial muscle and worldly savvy would be the key to winning over us inbred locals.
Unfortunately it doesn’t work like that, but I suspect with some diplomacy and a little bit compromise on both sides a deal is there to be brokered.
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I agree with Paul le P., it appears that Mr Delany thinks it’s alright to bully to get what you want so long as you are open and up front about it …….
Or does that only work if you are rich …..
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Well said Mike..
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The Barclays want to get there boys on the gov to get the power to exstend the 100 Year lease on Breqhou that is the idea behind FREEDOM / DEMOCRACY
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Let’s be fair, it’s their money and they don’t have to invest it if they don’t want to.
They were told they weren’t welcome, and they took their cue and left.
Would you continue to invest vast sums of money in a country whose government was openly hostile to you? Why would anyone?
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I can’t help but feel that, as objectionalble as some people may find it, the Barclays are well within their rights to sease to invest in what they see as hostile territory.
They obviously feel that with the investment they were making (for which they obviously are expecting a good return) in the infrastructure of Sark, they should have SOME say in the island’s future. For thier main candidate to come 36 out of 56 candidates shows that they are not wanted or valued, so why should they continue ouring money where it is not wanted, rather than seeking out areas where the £5m per year investment IS appreciated.
At the end of the day, they are private business men not public servants, and these accusations of bully boy tactics disregards the brutal truth, which is that it seems Sark needs them more than they need Sark at the moment.
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I agree with the comments this issue swings strongly both ways and frankly nobody is coming out smelling of roses.
Sarks feudal system, like Guernseys establishment, is an antiquated at times corrupt block on peoples democratic rights keeping the masses subdued in files or legislation which certain favoured figures can slide through like anarchists. Rules over property like “in keeping” which we all have to live with (tolerate) but others can build what they want, where they want.
Having said that the Barclays look petulent despite many nodding agreement with much they publish in the local Press about Sarks many quirky fiddles. Thie immediate withdrawel of investment and jobs will create a backlash that’ll do their worthy cause no favours and will probably set them back years.
Gentlemen try gentle and subtle and not threat and sledgehammer in future please
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I feel such utter contempt of the Barclays in making all these people redundant just before Christmas.
It just goes to show that they have no interest at all in people but just having the power, and making money.
I hope that when they are having their Christmas lunch in their castle and drinking fine wine, they spare a thought for the hardship they have caused to the many many families who are now struggling to make ends meet and, whom I assume now have nothing but contempt for the Barclay family
They have brought disgrace upon themselves and their name I hope they feel good about it, and are able to live with it.
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The old saying that if you continue bite the hand that feeds you dont be suprised when it is withdrewn
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Dave AldridgeI
The Barclays are of course entitled to cease their investment in Sark. It is the way they are going about it that is upsetting. And one would think that prudent businessmen would have sought the influence and support they obviously felt they needed BEFORE they invested, not after.
Yes it does seem that Sark needs them and their money at the moment – but the price being asked ( the loss of their right to a free and fair election ) was one Sark, quite rightly, felt was too much to pay.
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Well in my opinion the Barclay Brothers have shown their true colours. They obviously had no real interest in Sark or its local inhabitants. They wanted to change the island for their personal benefit. Have they ever bothered to visit the island? They certainly did not even bother to register themselves on the electoral roll. They are cocooned on their own island a stones throw away, yet are happy to sit in the comfort of their luxury mock castle. Kevin Delaney, pulled the plug on all their investments. Investments which not so long ago they were lauding as a long-term proposal to improve the infrastructure of the Sark.
However, the election they have been fighting for (and for which they did not take part in) did not result as they wished – despite the propaganda which they have been spreading over the last few months via the Sark News. Their answer: to shut all their businesses immediately and lay all the workers off. All this just 2 weeks before Christmas. Young families have to face a bleak future with little chance of work and the part-repaired buildings appear to have been left to rot. The lease holders of thriving businesses apparently are left with nothing – some having lost their life savings. One thing puzzles me – did they not sign contracts?
The Barclays have learned one valuable lesson – money cannot buy everything.
Good Luck Sark – Many Channel Islanders will be willing to help you out over this difficult period. May God go with you.
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Answer to Dave Aldridgel comment’s.
Yes my friend the Barclay’s are well within their rights and yes i do believe the investment was needed but not with the tactics that were portrayed prior to the recent election. The Barclay’s originally turned Sark politics upside down with their insistance on reform i.e full democricy etc. They got their own way which concluded in a fully democatic election, but with all the rubish printed in the so called Sark News coupled with the opinions given their in on various candidates, the people on Sark voted accordingly. Now they have chosen to take their investment elsewhere and leave all their employees without a job or immediate income, i hope they will spare a thought for all the families on the Island who will be facing a miserable Christmas. I happen to be one of those people and every time i sail past Brecqhou i will think of the misery they have left on this rock which is supposed to be the season of good will.
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The Barclays were happy to invest in Sark as it was, and the status quo was maintained.
The tactics they are using now should show anyone that the right choice has been made. No doubt it will be difficult for many people in Sark. Now is the time for those in Sark that are able to, to support the less able, if not, then nothing really was saved, but the peace and tranquility of Sark for posterity. That peace and tranquility is in itself worth saving but Sark is so much more than that, it is a wonderful community and now is the time to demonstrate that to the rest of the world. The Barclays are trying to divide you in order to defeat you, by helping each other you will also be helping yourselves.
Good luck. I will be visiting Sark again next year with my family as i’m sure many will.
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