PERHAPS the biggest tragedy in the bitter struggle over Sark’s future is that the personalisation of complex and long-standing issues into an simplistic ‘Brecqhou versus the establishment’ has deflected attention from what really matters.

Even the business-friendly Financial Times saw fit over the weekend to state editorially that having spoken for democracy, ‘[the Barclays'] reaction to the election result is contemptible’.

Yet take away the invective from both sides and what is left?  Democracy has finally – and after a great deal of Sark establishment foot-dragging – been introduced.

The referendum held about the matter showed comprehensively that the land-owning tenants had been ignoring for years the wishes of the majority to have an elected government.

A debate has rightly been opened on further reform, especially of the roles of seneschal and seigneur and what the island receives for its index-linked £28,000 per annum stipend to a feudal ‘lord’ and his heirs and successors in perpetuity.

Perhaps more importantly, these recent events have highlighted how desperately in need Sark was – and, given the layoffs, still is – of investment to guarantee its future and that of its people.

What has been given and now taken away further highlights how ill-equipped Chief Pleas has been over the years to deal with these issues and there is no sign of any swift change ahead.

Indeed, from reports coming from the island, Isle of Sark Shipping is allegedly close to collapse.

Without a lifeline sea link and hotels worth visiting, Sark has no future other than as a parish of Guernsey. And it is that reality which has been overlooked in what has been a distressingly unnecessary conflict.

The past, however, is just that. What is important now is how Chief Pleas intends to move things on.

Both Brecqhou and Sark’s leaders claim to have the best interests of the community at heart and now have a chance to demonstrate that.

Sir David and Sir Frederick said on Saturday that the door was still open, albeit with conditions attached.

Unless Chief Pleas explores that possibility it, too, will be playing with residents’ lives.