Barclay Brothers Put The Feud In Feudal As They Attempt To Bring Democracy And Helicopters To Sark

What do you do when you and your billionaire twin spend £2.33million on an island to share, only to find that the mainland that rules over it has laws against your cars, your helicopter is banned, and the only man on the island allowed to have an unspayed dog (who doesn’t even take advantage of it) is an unelected chap who just has to pay the Queen £1.79 per year for his privileges?

Take a human rights case over feudalism to the EU!! That’ll sort it.

Yesterday the Barclay brothers saw a half-victory in their foot-stamping over democracy on Sark, which was, until last year, the last feudal system in Europe. They trundled off to the Court of Appeal a while ago, unhappy that the seigneur and his seneschal (the island’s judge) would still have some power, which they claimed would be a violation of human rights laws, despite reforms to bring in a democratic election for the 28 members of the ruling body, the Chief Pleas.

The Court of Appeal did some pretty positive hand-waving, but told them to get the Channel Island’s new parliament to sort it out, thereby erecting another barrier in Sir DB and FB’s (as their supporters like to refer to them) quest for domination over all 2 square miles of Sark. Despite the conclusion, the brothers are reported to be applying to the Lords for leave to appeal.

If they’d have just researched Sark’s long list of silly rules properly, they could have avoided the EU’s long-winded process of appeal, simply by shouting the Lord’s Prayer in French followed by the words “Haro, Haro, Haro! À mon aide mon Prince, on me fait tort!” (which translates to “Haro, Haro, Haro! To my aid, my Prince! I am being wronged!”.) If they’d have done this instead, the matter would have been reported within 24 hours, and the action stopped until it was heard by the court. Last time it was successfully invoked was over a garden wall in 1970.    

The owners of the Telegraph group have been pouring cash into Sark since they bought Brecqhou in 1993, and now own a fifth of pretty much everything. Lots of the residents are in a tizz about it, and think that there must be some sinister plans afoot. It’s split the island, so much so that neighbours aren’t even speaking over their differing alliances, some siding with the Barclays, others with the 22^nd Seigneur, Michael Beaumont, who said about his position “Well, it’s not a job”.

Sark knew drama before the Barclay brothers walloped a load of cash down. They’ve had an attempted take-over by unemployed French nuclear physicist, who announced via a series of signs that he would take the island at noon. He was arrested by the Island’s part time police officer as he sat around polishing his gun, waiting for his self- appointed takeover time slot. 

In the run up to next weeks election, the brothers have issued a “Manifesto for Sark” outlining their aims for “preserving its unique beauty and tranquility”. Their method of doing this, thus far, has been to quietly develop plans for a funicular railway (before they were scuppered by the snatching back of some land by disgruntled Sark residents) and the building of a five-star hotel with a golf course. Ah, golf courses – those unique beauties.

Sark’s first general election will take place on the 10^th December, and polls are currently being taken on the Sark Forum for the 28 conseilleurs. In the recent elections, 12% of voters will be candidates for a political position, which, if it occurred on our shores, would equal millions. Thankfully, Sark’s 600 inhabitants mean it will not be quite this ridiculous.

Posted by Jennifer Allan in Hot Money | December 3, 2008 4:31PM |