Brecqhou owners gain Lords hearing
Friday 13th February 2009, 2:29PM GMT.
SIR David and Sir Frederick Barclay’s challenge to the position of Sark’s Seigneur and Seneschal will go to the House of Lords.
In December, the Brecqhou owners won a partial victory when the Court of Appeal agreed that the Seneschal’s dual role as the island’s chief judge and president of Chief Pleas was in breach of article six of the European Convention of Human Rights – the right to a fair trial.
Now they have been given leave to appeal another part of their challenge that was dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
Their legal team will argue that the Seigneur and Seneschal’s roles in Chief Pleas breach article three of the first protocol to the convention – the obligation to hold free elections under conditions which will ensure the free expression of the opinion of the people in the choice of the legislature.
It is contended that neither the Seneschal nor the Seigneur are elected but both have considerable powers over the legislature.
The case will also centre around the stipulation that non-British EU citizens cannot stand for election.
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It would seem as if the EU and all of it’s tentacles, favour those who are rich or are able to use a language barred to the righteous.
For centuries Sark and all the Channel-Islands have run smoothly-
But to the (Noble) word used lightly; It isn’t good enough: they want to have complete control.
If the EU and house of Lords allow such to go ahead against the wishs of a small community, then I hope with God’s will that these oppressors are duly punished.
I think it is abominal that rich people are allowed to do as they wish.
But that is what England is born of: The Knights of the realm: That is another word for the crushing of small minorities. I Hope they get punished harshly.
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As someone born and raised in the Channel Islands I could not agree more. The actions by these two unwelcome incomers is simply petulance and not getting their own way. If only people who agree would boycott heir bsuinesses – The Ritz and the Telegraph among others, perhaps they would get the message.
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In full agreement Eric. Prior to the Barclays arrival Sark was, and always has been a beautiful joyous island. The situation with the two of them is obscene and disgusting.
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Provided that the people of Sark themselves are happy with the roles that the Seigneur and Seneschal have, I cannot see what the problem is with these ancient roles continuing. Perhaps the House of Lords could, whilst dealing with the Barclays’ appeal, debate the wholly undemocratic influence that rich people have in politics (in the UK and small channel islands) without being elected themselves. Democracy is often compromised by people who have little interest in democracy.
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The irony in this is quite laughable. The House of Lords just as the Seigneur and Seneschal are not an elected entity but are being asked to pass the Barclays appeal, that the Seneschal and the Seigneur are not elected by the people. Bet if one took a vote on this that the Seigneur and Seneschal of Sark would be voted back into their original roles. The whole thing is quite ludicrous.
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People who come to the Channel Islands do so because its way of life is better than where they came from. Yet, so many of them, once they are settled in, suddenly decide that what they were truly looking for was an extension of their original home, warts an’ all. It was hard to get in here so why not find out how easy it is to leave?
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Good on the Barclays, when the law and common sense is on your side you will always win against those who wish to hold on to outdated values.
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Latter day feudalists. Four legs good, two legs bad!!
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Jackie, you appear to be mixing your references. You are inferring that feudal lords are in some way communists.
These changes are inevitable.
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Are they still at it? Haven’t they learnt their lesson yet? When is this curious and wholly unnecessary vendetta against the island they purport to love so much going to stop?
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Charlotte, in no time soon with quislings like FR in our midst
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“Hell hath no fury like a Barclay scorned”
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I think that the Barclays will not be happy untill they are the Seigneur and Seneschal and get the power they so clearly want.
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BRIAN
You are so right, what really hurts them, is that it’s most probably the first time in their lives, they have’nt been able to buy off anyone with their wealth.
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Sark my words and look at the bigger picture. Their agenda remains to “divide, conquer and rule”. Having failed via the democratic ballot box, they are now trying alternative strategies.
The protection and peaceful enjoyment of Sark’s flora, fauna and organic utopian community lifetyle are merely smoke and mirrors.
The bottom line remains the retention of Sark’s political and fiscal independence.
Suggest they will be mightily worried by any potential scrutiny of “tax havens” by the G20 at their jamboree in April.
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Strange but having read all about Sir Alan Stanford, his financial problems, and his control over the island of Antigua has made my imagination really work overtime.
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Barclays need to go back to Scotland and fast.
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