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Barclays shut business on Sark after election blow
Ed Harris12 Dec 2008
THE billionaire Barclay brothers shut down their businesses on Sark as the final results for the tiny Channel Island's groundbreaking elections were confirmed today.
Sark has ended 450 years of feudalism after its 600 inhabitants voted for its first democratic government - but the outcome has not pleased twins Sir David and Sir Frederick who own several hotels and shops on the island. It is estimated that 100 jobs could be lost if the closures are permanent.
The brothers, who own the Daily Telegraph and the Ritz, want radical electoral reforms on Sark and object to the hereditary posts of seigneur and seneschal. The seigneur is the head of the government, while the seneschal is Sark's chief judge and the president of the Chief Pleas, who are members of the island's parliament.
Gordon Dawes, the twins' lawyer, said his clients were withdrawing their business interests. He told The Independent: "They've shut down all their operations on the island which means two hotels, a restaurant and various retail units and building works. You can't expect people to continue throwing a lot of money into a community that doesn't want them."
Kevin Delaney, who runs Sark Estate Management for the twins, failed to become one of the new 28 "conseillers" elected to help run the island. Just a handful of the elected candidates are thought to be pro-reform.
Until recently the car-free island could claim to be the last remaining feudal territory in Europe, governed by a mix of landowners and a small minority of elected representatives. But in January, following a referendum, the parliament the Chief Pleas voted for change and a new constitution was approved by the Privy Council in London.
It meant that 28 elected members will now represent the island's 600 people, replacing the previous system of 40 landowners and 12 elected "deputies".
Reader views (13)
The Barclay Brothers could be damaging their good name, with what is widely seen as punishment and on many of those who supported them. Come on Brothers its Christmas.
- Andrew, London, 15/12/2008 05:23
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Dear Sir's
We do not appreciate the heavy hand dealt out to the population of Sark by the Barclay twins.
Please try to concider the Barclays twins must be more intelligent than to behave in this appalling and cruel way I can only presume there advisors have a lot to answer for.
Lets hope the twins and the people of Sark can find away to resolve there differences.
In the run up to Christmas I'm sure the twins must see from there luxury Castle the island of Sark and must be wondering how those persons laid of and put into poverty
because of ther selfish arrogant and disgusting behaviour
are enjoying there Christmas.
Come on twins its a no brainer whats up with you!
- G Hall, GUERNSEY, 14/12/2008 18:25
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The Barclays are no diffrent from any other incomers who think because they have money they can tell the locals how they should live. Whether it is church bells, mooing cows or a bit of mud on the road - or an ancient method of government, if the incomers don't like it - then scrap it. Look at what "democracy" has done for Britain! The Barclays are the ultimate NIMBYs. And a new meaning for Sarkastic has been born.
- Eric Hayman, London, 13/12/2008 00:16
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Nice to see the true face of capitalism isn't dead after current events. Lets hope someone comes along and takes their business interests away from them. Maybe us-the taxpayer- could step in and grab control of more of our country
- Colin, South London England, 12/12/2008 21:34
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"The two of them really need to go back to wherever they came from... and take their filthy money with them."
That's precisely what they did do. And saying that it wouldn't be missed is just hot air. Investment in an area is always missed when withdrawn.
They are entitled to their beliefs and self determination. If they can't get what they want in Sark, why should they stay there? In the free west, that's what we all do - from Joe Blow to Bill Gates. It's allowed. Live with it. Saying that they are in the wrong for doing so is the same as saying that you or me couldn't do so either.
- Rogan, Irving, 12/12/2008 18:16
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A very big thanks to your readers for their supportive encouragement while Sark shakes down into it's new fully elected Government of which I shall be a proud member. We do not appreciate being bullied nor being told how to vote - or else.Although we all appreciated the Barclay investment while it lasted, Sark will survive very well thank you without it, as it has always done - by relying on the talents and hard work of one of the most closely knit communities you will find.
- Stephen Henry, Sark, Channel Islands, 12/12/2008 15:08
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It's their money and if they don't like what is happening then they are perfectly entitled to withdraw it. That is what real democracy is about. Russian oligarcs bringing billions with them and others reversing the flow. Not a problem.
- Dennis, Taplow. U.K., 12/12/2008 15:06
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We applaud the people of Sark who apparently saw through the smoke screen and voted accordingly. Yes, feudalism is a thing of the past, even the economic variety that was proposed to replace the other. The Barclays are now seen for what they truly are. Sark has a proud history of fighting tyranny - look at its record during WWII - and we are happy to see that the fight is not gone out of its people. God bless Sark - and to hell with these sleazy brothers who have stooped so low as to close business interests as collective punishment to 'commemorate' Sark's new democracy. The two of them really need to go back to wherever they came from... and take their filthy money with them.
- Dan & Francesco, Umbria, Italy, 12/12/2008 14:36
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If I am not voted the best player on the team then I am leaving and I am taking my ball with me.
Well from feudalism to communism in the space of a few months nationalisation here we come.
- Paul, London, 12/12/2008 13:39
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We don't like your vote so we are going to go away and sulk!
The Barclay brothers need to read up on what democracy is, people vote and that is the result. Not holding them to ransom by threatening to leave and take away there jobs.
This is the 21st century after all.
- Liberal Thinker, UK, 12/12/2008 11:52
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The Barclay brothers did not really wish to 'end feudalism' on Sark, they wished to re-feudalise it themselves by land and property purchase. They expected Sarkees to be loyal serfs. Maybe they should try this in Monaco, their principal residence?
- Dectora, London UK, 12/12/2008 11:35
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From the outset of these two billionares campaign on Sark, it has been obvious they were upto something, and the democracy issue was just a smoke scene. I think the Sarkees rubbled this too, and now David and Fredrick have not got their way, we are seeing the true side of them; greedy and manipulative. I wonder what they will try next? Well done Sark for standing up to these bullies.
- Blind Pugh, Woking, UK, 12/12/2008 11:26
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This an appalling act of bullying. The BB's pushed for democracy, tried to split the community with it's election 'coverage' and then didn't like the result. The truth is they wanted to keep something similar to the feudal system but with them at the helm. They wanted to change Sark so that they could favour their rich chums by building heli-pads, etc with no thought of the residents and families who have lived on Sark for generations. Now they have lost they are throwing their dummies out of the pram and closing the businesses in Sark that they have been buying up saying that if their representatives are given seats or power (that the electorate were wholeheartedly against) they might reconsider. This is blackmail. I hope the people of Sark are able to ignore the BBs further request but I suspect job security may overturn democracy! I hope there is someone with money out there who can come to the rescue of Sark so the BB's can be cut out altogether. They knew the laws when they bought the neighbouring island.
Just who is that dreadful snivelling lawyer/spokesman who made some dreadful comments yesterday. He is a bad lawyer clearly just telling his clients what they want to hear rather than pointing out the truth of the situation - that the electorate don't like bullies.
- Andy, London, 12/12/2008 11:19
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