The scourging of Sark

Abstract

The Channel Island of Sark (5.5 km2; population 500), Europe’s sole surviving feudal entity, was forced into democracy in 2008 following an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights by billionaire twins Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay, tenants of the subsidiary island of Brecqhou. Unhappy with subsequent Sark election results that rejected most of their chosen candidates, backers of Barclay interests have now brought suit to revise the 2008 electoral reform act. The applicants contend that the current system discriminates against those favouring needed development and that Sark still remains essentially under the feudal control of the Seigneur and his cronies. This essay discounts these complaints as spurious and as obnoxious, for threatening the traditional values that sustain Sark’s legendary tranquillity. The Sark saga is an object lesson in steadfast small-island resistance to unwanted ‘improvement’ by outside agency, however motivated.