‘Gateway to Sark a disgrace’
Friday 14th October 2011, 10:00AM BST.
CHIEF PLEAS came and went in my absence last week – at its now customary breakneck speed, by all accounts.
All over by lunchtime seems to be a catchword where our legislature is concerned, although quite what the Bailiff, Sir Geoffrey Rowland, made of the lack of debate on measures such as a £1.3m. budget – over £2,100 for every man, woman and child living here – only he knows.
It’s certainly a world away from what happens in other legislatures and particularly the one he presides over, as well as the one I reported on for longer than I care to remember. But, as I am repeatedly told when making comparisons, Sark is different. It certainly is.
Earlier this week, I attended the public meeting at which officers from the Guernsey Border Agency and Home Department spoke, at which reference was made to that agency collecting Sark Impots duties on this island’s behalf. I looked at the estimated income for next year and found that it is budgeted to increase by close on 5%.
Given that no increase was proposed at Chief Pleas, I wonder where that additional revenue is coming from. While everyone here hopes that visitor numbers will increase, I doubt that the Finance and Commerce Committee has sufficient data to accurately forecast such an eventuality. Perhaps the committee knows something about the projected level of consumption of wine, beers, spirits and tobacco that is not apparent to the rest of us.
Personally, I’d have thought that in this respect Sark is chasing the record that I understand Alderney holds and that, so I’m told, is approaching saturation point. For the avoidance of doubt – because I recall from previous observations I’ve made about the northern isle that a few individuals there have a low humour threshold and are decidedly touchy when it comes to references to drinking habits – that comment was made with my tongue very firmly in my cheek.
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The Border Agency meeting to which I referred earlier was interesting, both in the presentation about the department’s wide-ranging responsibilities and in the questions relating to the possibility of Sark having a Customs and Immigration presence here to enable us to handle passenger vessels coming direct from France, thus bypassing the current requirement that visitors from there must first be cleared at an approved port in one of the other Channel Islands.
However, what was equally interesting was the disclosure by chief officer Rob Prow that a drugs courier bound for Sark was taken out by his officers at Guernsey Airport and dealt with by the Royal Court in relation to the insidious cargo he was transporting.
While anecdotal evidence is commonplace in Sark in relation to the availability of illegal substances, I can’t recall a prosecution here during the 11 years I’ve lived here. Perhaps my memory may be at fault – advancing years, as my children and grandchildren kindly put it – but if there is a problem on the sort of scale the SBT (Sark Bush Telegraph) would have us believe, then a few prosecutions would be welcomed, certainly by parents of the island’s children.
I happened to be on the same boat as Rob Prow and his colleagues when they came to Sark on Monday and was also on the toast rack bus which took us all up Harbour Hill. They were met by Conseiller Edric Baker who, as chairman of the douzaine, is also responsible for the maintenance of island roads.
I wonder how he explained away the disgraceful state of that hill to his (and the island’s) guests? That is what tens of thousands a year have to endure when they travel up what is the gateway to Sark and I haven’t even started about the rubbish dump and incinerator they pass just yards into their journey.
- The email address for comment is fallesark@sark.net.
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“Disgrace” ..? That seems to be a rather wild use of the GP’s licence with shock horror headlines. The harbour is the harbour: a functional place where stuff comes and goes. Get over it.
However – the toastrack may be regarded by diehards as quaint, traditional and inevitable – like chilblains and haemorrhoids – but despite the “makeover”, it remains quite unpleasantly cramped and uncomfortable – and could have been properly improved a long time ago.
Maybe Phil will volunteer to dance ahead of a new transport of delight, sprinkling rose petals as he goes? Maybe his pals at SEM will offer to erect a scenic cable car to deliver new arrivals directly into the Aval bar?
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SEM and Kevin Delaney should be congratulated and thanked for their efforts in securing a safe dedicated landing facility on Sark.
Where there’s a will, there’s always a way.
Herm would be wise to establish their own facility for when the need arises. Maybe they can show the Sark establishment how welcome such a facility is and show them how to deal with gratitude when it’s on offer from such well meaning and caring individuals. I’m told such a facility is not far off the horizon.
Maybe this will be news in the not too distant future?
I would like to see a dedicated facility placed at the PEH so valuable minutes and seconds for the golden hour can be cut to the very bare minimum.
I’m hoping this will also be news in the not too distant future too.
It’s a huge relief to many and of the utmost importance to see this has been achieved now. Albeit without any help from the bitter uncaring feudal hangers-on. How dare they hinder such a crucial service at the cost to everybody. For little other than their petty point scoring and tiresome pigheadedness.
Thank You to the above mentioned people. I have no doubt many thanks will be given by the large majority of others. Especially those that have had the unfortunate need to use the service in the future. I believe this thanks and appreciation is what scares the living daylights out of the ever diminishing feudal loyalists.
It amazes me how so few have so much time on their hands to spend on preventing worthwhile causes but have no time to spend on all the little things that seem to be ever increasing.
It’s this that needs to stop. Good prevails over evil. It always will. Even on Sark. Eventually.
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@Sark Resident
Whoaa there. You cannot be allowed to get away with trying to pass on SNL propaganda unchallenged. The SNL persists in banging on about more democracy and less feudalism, although Sark’s rampant democracy has failed to elect any of its supported candidates. The independent and perverse people of Sark do not want end up under the modern feudal yoke – one made of cash.
So let’s not make the mistake of imagining that the style of politics recently practised in Europe is “democracy” – it is not. However, Europolitics (NOT genuine democracy) is very much what SNL’s propaganda promotes: the tyranny of cash plus vociferous and easily manipulated minorities, coupled to as many elections as it takes to get the “right” result to satisfy the money manipulators. The current demos in the UK, US and EU against bankers, globalisation and billionaire media barons (who plainly control the politicians who have been emasculated by losing control of the money) is scarily relevant – even to Sark.
Anyone who believes everything they read and is not aware of the bigger agenda being played out here is precariously naïve; and to suggest that this is some sort of battle of good versus evil, is giving the hype game away.
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AlanJ
With all due respect, I don’t think you know what you are talking about when it comes to living under the regime of feudal corruption that can only thrive when there is no transparency or accountability to keep things working for those with a vested interest.
Sark is a very nice place to be now. It has a never ending list of good things. Spectacularly beautiful areas have been opened up for everybody to enjoy. I have no recollection of the Seigneur ever making any such concessions. The only time he ever did was when there was money to be made.
The island needs to be freed from the feudal lord and his well paid and favoured loyal followers. The island can’t afford them. I don’t believe many want them anymore. They offer little other than bitter resentment and objection to all things that are sensible and pose as an asset for the people and a decent future.
Everything on Sark is far too selective. You’re either in which means you will be granted with endless possibilities or you’re out and hindered until the will is broken. Sometimes frustration will break the strongest of minds and lead to depression. It has happened many times to my knowledge. I refuse to delve into the details out of respect to others. Why do you think the island has a well known history of heavy drinkers?
The consensus is that islanders just want a good life now. SEM has worked wonders for sustainability and for the very people that call it home. The SNL is very informative and read by everybody. I would be as bold to say the very people that claim to not want to receive it pay it the most attention to detail. Everything that’s contained within is in the public domain and can be addressed by whoever if they feel an issue merits further discussion. The secretive establishment has never been able to say that.
Gone are the days where work would run dry when the tourist season closed in the colder months. The days of petty bickering and back-biting are coming to an end. People simply won’t tolerate that now. And why should they?
Gone are the days where the working class people were so desperate for employment they would work for next to nothing. Just so they could be enabled to scrape enough together to put something on the table.
There are still many things that need working out. Accountability is something that is nonexistent at present. This is part and parcel of feudalism.
Gone are the days where the life of others will be allowed to slip away because the feudal lord and his chosen fundamentalists are able to have the power to make such thoughtless uncaring stipulations.
The reign of power and selection is a careful manipulation based on how pliable and loyal those are deemed to be by the man that considers himself above everybody even in their hour of need.
Sark and the people want harmony. It deserves it. All the characteristics are there. They always were. Albeit neglected, hidden, run down and overgrown for a long period of time but all that is rapidly changing. The future is bright now. It happens to be a harmonious setting. It’s a shame the beauty and charm was left to vanish through dereliction of duties and a huge dollop of one man seeing the island as a place to extract as much as one can without giving anything back. Least of all wisdom or forethought for family and generations to come.
I doubt the island could have carried on for much longer before SEM brought some wisdom and vision with them. The island was being choked to near death both in fabric and reputation.
Information is all but impossible to obtain unless you’re directly affected by whatever the issue is. The outcomes are rarely just. Much of what has taken place in the past has gone untold. That is the way the Seigneur likes to conduct business.
Do you believe the Sark Lark disgrace would’ve stopped if Guernsey didn’t apply pressure for it to do so?
Before others comment it would be wise for them to know what it is they are commenting on. Most things were in a mess. It had precious little to offer many other than those feeding from others.
The majority would like to see an end to the parasitical ways of the feudal lord and his well paid loyal puppets. The SNL is there for all to view. If anything contained within it is upsetting or needs further clarification one only needs to ask. An apology is awarded if it’s considered to be merited.
What fair debate or answers can be expected from the establishment? None, other than avoiding tactics or just the usual plain bitter arrogant silence and the cold shoulder being the likely outcome. Then a tirade of abusive practices because too few have the luxury to powers without having any accountability to anybody other than their own club that meets behind closed doors to plot whatever only they know.
There are numerous questions everybody is wanting answered. One can ask. One can never expect an answer if is considered to be uncomfortable within the grand scheme of things.
It’s well known by some that the Seigneur and his appointed loyalists would be shown the way “to the infamous boat that leaves in the morning” with the encouragement of many sporting pitch-forks if the truth of financial secrets were to be aired in the public domain. The picture is a glorious one for the few.
Things are changing at a rapid rate now. I will be the first to voice my opinion if the situation arises. The consensus of the majority is that SEM has taken the stranglehold of feudalism from Sark’s throat and has allowed it to breathe.
All they do is to the advantage of the island and the people as a whole. Their policies are fair and for all to see. Nothing is hidden. Nothing is done in secret. Nobody can state anything underhand. Objectors can raise their issues in an adult manner without fear of reprisal. Adults can agree to disagree and still share the same ideals.
This is a concept that feudalism will never grasp. Unfortunately. Michael Beaumont would do well to retire somewhere where he can be lord and master of his grounds without any hostility to his eccentric ways from outsiders.
With the two million pounds he has been offered he could purchase somewhere substantial and continue to make it up as he goes along. Pretty much like he has on sark for the best part of the last four decades.
His stubbornness is going to be his undoing. He knows it. Others do too.
His catalogue of ever increasing errors and contradictions is making him look more foolish as time goes by. The ease at which he conveniently passes the buck down to his departmental officials is creating discussion and unrest even amongst his selected few.
His silence on important issues is deafening. His ability overall is in question. I don’t believe he will be able to sustain much more of a future unless one of embarrassment is something he is willing to look forward to.
In short, he should take the money and run.
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I wondered what Sark Resident was banging on about as it appeared to have nothing to do with Phil’s report in the GP. And then someone pointed out that this was part of the damage limitation effort because Delaney & Co – despite pompous denials, including one from Gordon Dawes – were indeed preparing an unauthorised helipad and fairylight show at the Cotil!
I ask you, can this pantomime get any more childish? Sark Resident appears to have been “planted” to big up the chopper pad and post a favourable comment on an item that was not even actually reported in the GP (yet)!
Once again SEM seem to have embarrassed more than just themselves and Gordon! Thanks for the chuckle.
And I agree with Larky – the toast rack may be traditional, but it’s a pain in the backside – and one of the handful of the “over our dead body” Sark traditions that could withstand an upgrade to the 21st century.?
Let’s pray Kev doesn’t also agree – because then the sacred Toastrack may have to be placed beyond rational discussion, like the other topics the SNL manages to taint.
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@AlanJ very well said.
Tax what Tax? That’s what this is all about. Time to wake up and smell the coffee and take the island back to its fundamental feudal principles. Wonderfully free and devoid of any corporate greed or avorice.
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@Sark Resident
Wow. That’s a spirited defence of the Gospel according to St Kevin, but what part of democracy do you still not grasp?
Are you suggesting the votes at the elections are actually being rigged – or do you accept that the contents of Chief Pleas reflects the “will of the people”, and that SEM’s efforts to lobby for its own choice of candidates gets the raspberry?
You don’t seem to get a fundamental point here – namely that the SNL has effectively stifled all grown-up debate, because the implication that “the cash mountain dares you to challenge us” has tainted any topic that it tackles. Babies and bathwater are equally discarded, mostly thanks to SNL’s inability to understand the basics of diplomacy and civility.
You also ask: “Why do you think the island has a well known history of heavy drinkers?”
Possibly because booze is very cheap, and if you can’t just sit quietly and pour bile and innuendo into a keyboard for a weekly diatribe, possibly there is not a lot else to do..?
Although that said, SEM has certainly helped Sark’s lucky residents (and tourists) and provided many expensively refurbished establishments in which to embibe, whilst helping to pay money that ultimately subsidises the SNL. Moreover, KD is now able to whisk those in dire need of a stomach pump off to hospital, on his bosses’ fine chopper.
(Mind you, a trip on a boat would probably provide much the same result, as the patient will arrive on the dock with contents of stomach already missing!)
Overall, if anyone needs a living example of Goebbles’ proposition that a big lie repeated often enough will eventually change reality for those subjected to frequent enough exposure, Sark could find it has a few more tourist attractions for psychologists.
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i agree wholeheartedly with sark resident. everything he/she has stated is true.
to you who question this i wonder… do you live in sark? or are you just jumping on the ‘anti-barclay ‘bandwagon?
because i live here and whilst i may not be as articulate as some i can styate that things have never been better in sark. the only problems come from those who see their grasp of inherited feudal power coming to an end.
and its all for the better!!
signed
me
a true sark resident of over 35 years
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AlanJ
You need to take a look at how the hierarchy has been conveniently manufactured. It has been carefully designed by the very people that have most to gain from having things “their way.”
The parasites.
Take note of how each and every voter is “held accountable” for the votes they place. Life is made as uncomfortable as possible for those that dare to vote or challenge anything the establishment deems necessary. You’ll soon see why that is enough to put most off from challenging “Sark’s unique ways.”
To appreciate that fully you’d need to know how things have gone on in the past.
Candidates for elections are selected the moment they put themselves forward on how antiquated their beliefs are. Their chances of being elected are judged by those in current high power by how well they would fit in.
The fear of the power wielding feudal fundamentalists is ever present on all things throughout island life the moment one settles and discovers how things “work.”
The convenient lack of separation of powers and privileges throughout the establishment is a disgrace for one to even consider the word democracy.
There needs to be a vote on whether the Seigneur should take the money and go. I’d place every spare penny I possess on the only people that would wish for him to stay are the senile and those that benefit by being in his inner circle.
This was never challenged before SEM arrived on the island. One simply put up with it or had the choice of the “infamous boat that left in the morning.”
The questions people had on their minds were always kept there. Dare they ask them in public because repercussions would swiftly follow.
Things may appear worse now than it ever has. This is only because the SNL is exposing the self serving ways of the establishment for what it stands. .
Do some research before being so quick to defend something you clearly know very little about.
For the record the SNL is there for all to challenge. It’s there for everybody to debate what is contained within each issue until they’re happy with the outcome of whatever it happens to be they’re objecting to. The main objectors are those that favour tradition and the few that have the most to lose by revelations and change.
Those that don’t like what is printed don’t have it forced upon them. It is there in the free society to take or leave at one’s leisure. The same can’t be said for the other side at present. I am confident this will change in the not too distant future.
How about answering the questions of the people you claim to represent then MB? I won’t hold my breath on that though. Just like every other request for clarification that has been made in the past.
You won’t be allowed to get away with increasing taxes without even having the decency to give a reasonably detailed account to where the money is going and the reasons why it is deemed to be needed. We simply won’t put up with that any longer.
Take the two million and I’ll happily wave you off. It’s two million more than you’ll ever deserve.
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The biggest bandwagon on Sark is the tumbrel that the SNL uses to fetch the usual victims for their traditional weekly chastisement.
It’s only to be expected that there will be a number of Pro-SEM responses from those innocent souls who just want to get on an earning a living on this idyllic Isle – and a few million quid of investment buys a lot of loyalty. Although not nearly as much as Kev had rather incautiously estimated when he famously shut up shop and threw the toys of the pram after the first election results.
The point all of the SEM fans wilfully miss is that the MAJORITY (democracy eh?) of island voters have shown no desire to allow Delaney and SEM near the levers of power in various elections; and those that the SNL anoints specifically get left in the starting stalls. If the “establishment” is a wicked as you and the SNL tells us, then please pause to consider just how dreadful the electors must consider SEM’s cash-feudalism alternative to be!
So this “dispute” is probably all about controlling the autonomy of Sark and the manipulation of its position to provide maximum tax benefits for certain residents. The tax equivalent of many times the SEM investment on Sark must already have been saved by those whose principle income arises from UK based businesses but who do not pay UK tax rates.
Overall, let’s stop being naive and kidding ourselves this situation is not going away any time soon.
The future of Sark as the delightfully unique and perverse island state is at stake; Sark has been run for 450 years by people who live on it. It is not (yet) run by any multinational business interest, nor run by any dubious foreign political interest; Sark is not run by the EU or IMF. and its future deserves to be discussed thoroughly, dispassionately – and without ANY threats of a cash mountain muzzling the much-needed open and free debate. Such a debate would necessarily preclude the participation of those whose emotions have long since turned to polarised weekly rants, and require the cessation of media hostilities.
Sark’s posiiton in the world is a delicate business, because we are aware that our larger neighbours are probably more jealous than ever of Sark’s autonomy and choices; and those under the EU and OECD yoke in particular are concerned that Sark sets an embarrassing example of the effectiveness and efficiency of “small government”.
Ironically, I suspect that the Establishment and SEM are generally likely to be after much the same things, but we may never find out as long as their only tactics are the combination of the SNL and the distinctly undemocratic feudalism of money.
One man, one billion? I think not.
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Do we now subscribe to the Robert Mugabe theory of property (for “AK47″, read “£2m”)?
Unlike Sark Resident, I don’t think much will be achieved by firing £2m of someone else’s cash at a harassed octogenarian in order to usher in a new age of cash feudalism in the manner of SEM’s “Theme Park Sark”, with Arbiter Delaney in charge. (www.jinsy.com)
Merely citing the same weary old invective that appears weekly in the SNL as justification does not advance the cause of Sark’s future, which, thanks to the tireless meddling that has taken place since SEM set up shop, probably means that Sark will soon have no option but to be absorbed as a parish of Guernsey.
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“There needs to be a vote on whether the Seigneur should take the money and go.”
Cracking idea – just as long as Mr Delaney and his employers were on the same ballot.
And how very appropriately “Big Brother”. Maybe Brecqhou would pay to have Davina McCall read the results?
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When one considers openness and transparency needing to be practiced before questions can be met with truthful replies. We receive nothing. At best a look of “shame on you for being so questionable and inquisitive towards your masters, after all, you are mere sheep.”
Facts will be established. This much I’m sure. In the very near future. There are ways around everything. Especially ignorant petulance.
MB has the option of receiving a handsome settlement for what is something he was born into. It amounts to an ever diminishing title that will before long mean very little other than just that. It is something that no longer fits into a modern society or their way of thinking.
The alternative is to suffer the indignity and shameful embarrassment with the scrutiny of past decisions and the fortunate benefactors behind those.
I know what most sensible people would do.
What’s it to be, MB?
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The English language takes on new meaning on Sark; which as we all know, is different. Apparently “openness and transparency” now means “unquestioning agreement with anything and everything the SNL chooses to print”.
Does anyone imagine for an instant that the owners of SEM/SNL would allow themselves and their affairs to be subjected to the sort of “public examination” that their weekly organ subjects the (democratically elected) Sark establishment to?
Sark Resident’s proposition to MB sounds more like a sinister “offer he dare not refuse” with each presentation. I am probably not alone in wondering just how much more intimidation the Crown can stand by and witness before stepping in.
A Guernsey Parish is probably too complicated and contentious for the battle that would inevitably erupt – so maybe Sark should be made a county of England (after all Hawaii and Alaska are quite remote from mainland USA) – and George Osborne needs the tax and tidal energy. (A so a tidy way to take revenge on the Telegraph for the embarrassment that its expenses exposure caused to Parliament!)
HM might of course creatively decide to lease Sark to China, in an ironic a reversal of the Hong Kong story…
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I see very few of the comments, especially the longer ones, have much if any of a link to the title of the article.
Living in Guernsey I have no problem with the entrance to Sark. The harbour is effecive, I have always landed safely. The walk through the tunnel is unique. I mostly walk up the hill as I enjoy the time it provides to soak up the atmosphere (no cars, motorbikes and a general peace and quiet) but have taken the toastrack (the thought of which makes me smile with joy). Whatever you do, do not change too much and lose what is unique to Sark. If you do there will be little point in visiting.
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Good on you Jay. You seem to get precisely what Sark is about.
“there will be little point in visiting”
Alderney’s present struggle to find a role and a identity ought to be warning. For all the challenges, Sark’s population generally understands that Sark is not just different, it is unique. And Sark has to remain that way, or risk bcoming a commercial theme park – where cash and influenec is dangerously skewed into the control of an operation that has simply not displayed the sensitivity, respect or responsibilty to be trusted with such an important covenant.
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The editorial comment about the “now you see, now you don’t” Sark helipad in today’s GP seems to have missed the point. SEM set about constructing a helipad – and when challenged, said that they were not. As you imply, the whole episode has been conducted childishly, and does no credit to Gordon Dawes, who said:
“In any event there is no development being undertaken at the Cotil. My client is entitled to cut turf, re-compost and re-sew (sic) in whatever shape it chooses.” How unfortunate was that in the “light” (get it?) of events?
In any references to “resolving around the table by adults” you need to keep in mind the agenda and context of the SNL’s weekly combination of spite, venom and malice that is issued by these island “benefactors”. Just how adult is that remarkably offensive and wantonly divisive weekly drivel?
As it is, in all the hysteria, we have overlooked that a temporary helipad could actually add an extra risk by providing a false sense of security. Imagine if the “temporary” lighting was to be interrupted for any reason during a tricky operation if some excited person tripped over the cable and fused/unplugged it..? I suspect the Flying Christine will still always be required for belt and braces backup.
The better answer would be a permanent helipad on the Millennium field with redundant backed up power – and maybe a fuel cache. Let’s just ask – nicely – the democratically elected members of CP to do it, eh?
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Whilst the blog beneath this article has skewed seriously off-thread it demonstrates the depth of feeling towards Sark and what is currently happening on the island.
This is clearly worthy of wider debate and there are very few forums where this is possible.
It is easy to get engrossed in the day-to-day detail of Sark. Whilst this is understandable it means you can lose sight of the principles and the bigger picture.
Sark represents a fragile system in many ways. Physically, politically, economically and socially. But it ain’t broke and needs to be managed carefully to avoid becoming broken.
Doubtless HM QEII follows events on Sark very carefully. The Crown cannot allow commercial greed or financial feudalism to dictate and control a Crown dependency.
It would be a great shame if Sark was to become a parish of Guernsey or Jersey. The Alderney experiment hasn’t been a glowing success.
Perhaps the principle of an English offshore county isn’t so daft? Although the thought of direct government by Westminster is less palatable. Then watch the “Tax, what Tax?” exiles run for cover.
Perhaps independence for Sark as a British Crown colony is the way forwards? How would that work in principle?
Whatever the future, the vanities of the bonfires at the harbour quarry (and SEM HQ) will continue to burn until some greater authority extinguishes them.
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Phil, it gets a bit breezy up here in the Northern Isle which calls for a stiff drink now and again. You in Sark have the benefit of Guernsey acting as a handy windbrake.
However, given how divided & unhappy Sark now appears to be I’d not be surprised if you took the drinks title from us sometime soon.
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Dodgy – why would anyone (else) want to get identified with any debate about the Island’s future? Just look (if you can bring yourself) at the Soaraway SNL (Sep 23rd) and note that lucky new Conseiller Hazel Fry was immediately given the SNL once-over, and sent personal and poignant notice (with liberal use of italics) that the tub-thumping evangelists of the SNL will be watching her: “by their deeds we shall know them.”.
It may be fair game for the Daily Telegraph to tag thick-skinned political hacks who have time and again shown themselves to be “in it for the power and the money” – but to pounce on the poor woman like a terrier with a rat, is nothing if not intimidating.
It cannot be overlooked that the SNL is affiliated with a well-known media empire with access to researchers, expensive lawyers and skilled hacks to call upon to do its bidding. So any debate conducted in print and online is hardly going to be any sort of “fair encounter”, is it?
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