Sark 'must stem the tide of decline'

Firstly, and quite correctly, Peter states that, like most outsiders, he has his own opinion. He also states that, like most outsiders, his views are likely to be misinformed. On this we agree.

Needless to say, his opinion of Sark's current woes lands firmly in the lap of the conflict between Brecqhou and the Sark Government.

What he fails to see, or at least does not see fit to comment on, is the headlong direction of (what is left of) Sark's economy towards bankruptcy and the complete lack of perception and action taken by Sark's Chief Pleas to address or stem the tide of decline.

Our conseillers are taken up with trivial legislation and cherry-picking snippets of the Crowe and Kniveton reports that suit them, with no provision for a single conseiller, let alone a committee, taking responsibility for Sark's economy.

Chief Pleas fiddles while Sark burns.

What many are asking for is immediate, energetic action from our government to give the working population the chance of earning a living – the major requirement here is a change of attitude.

There is a desperate need to maximise the tourism potential of millions of residents of France and the rest of Europe. What we need from our government is positivity. We have to adapt to the 21st century and embrace the concept of Sark as a place that is open to everybody.

We have just experienced the nomination process of candidates for the general election scheduled for 10 December. The result of this process has left us with no election as only 16 people were put forward for 16 seats. That in itself speaks volumes.

There is currently a group, Sark First, lobbying for electoral change in Sark. They have in excess of 100 residents and former residents signed up in support of this reform. The vain hope is that should this reform take place, the 'noble but dwindling number of non-aligned' and non-represented residents would be able to elect conseillers that would speak to their point of view – a concept that is often referred to in modern government as 'a level playing field'.

Currently Chief Pleas is not 'one of the most democratic parliaments imaginable'. It leaves a substantial percentage of voters disenfranchised and perpetuates the stubborn, blinkered direction that Sark is being taken down.

If we do not undo our 'Gordian knot' through outside intervention, then give us the tools to do it from within.

THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF SAFE.