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Barclays' Sark closures under way Barclays' Sark closures under way
(9 minutes later)
Sark firms owned by the millionaire Barclay brothers have begun closing, leaving a quarter of the island's population facing unemployment. Firms on Sark owned by the millionaire Barclay brothers have begun closing, leaving a quarter of the island's population facing unemployment.
About 140 people were employed in hotels, shops, estate agents, restaurants and building firms which belong to the brothers. The closures came about because the brothers did not approve of the choices made by voters in the channel island's first democratic election in 450 years.
The closures are in protest at the results of the channel island's first democratic election in 450 years. About 140 people were employed in the Barclays' hotels, shops, estate agents, building firms and restaurants.
But members of the island's new government said: "The show will go on." Members of the island's new government defiantly said: "The show will go on."
The last time the people of Sark were told how to vote was in 1940. We got our independence back in 1945 at the point of a bayonet Seneschal Lt Col Reg Guille
Twins Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay, 73, who own the neighbouring island of Brecqhou, as well as the Telegraph Group, want radical electoral reforms on Sark.Twins Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay, 73, who own the neighbouring island of Brecqhou, as well as the Telegraph Group, want radical electoral reforms on Sark.
They object to the hereditary posts of seigneur, as well as the seneschal who acts as both chief judge and the speaker in the island's government, the Chief Pleas. They object to the hereditary post of seigneur, as well as the seneschal who acts as both chief judge and the speaker in the island's government, the Chief Pleas.
Kevin Delaney, business manager for Sark Estate Management, which runs the Barclay's Sark interests, told BBC News that by electing candidates mainly opposed to radical reforms, the people of Sark "have effectively written the longest commercial suicide note in human history."
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Kevin Delaney, business manager for Sark Estate Management, which runs the Barclay's Sark interests, told BBC News that by electing candidates mainly opposed to radical reforms, the people of Sark "have effectively written the longest commercial suicide note in human history".
He said the estate has no need to sell the properties and intends to hold on to them.He said the estate has no need to sell the properties and intends to hold on to them.
But Seneschal (chief judge) Lt Col Reg Guille said: "The last time the people of Sark were told how to vote was in 1940.But Seneschal (chief judge) Lt Col Reg Guille said: "The last time the people of Sark were told how to vote was in 1940.
"We got our independence back in 1945 at the point of a bayonet."We got our independence back in 1945 at the point of a bayonet.
"The people have voted. They've chosen their government.""The people have voted. They've chosen their government."
New democracy 'Numb and scared'
However there is concern for the people who have lost their jobs as there is no welfare state in Sark.However there is concern for the people who have lost their jobs as there is no welfare state in Sark.
Lynn Nelson, who ran the Island Beauty Salon in a property rented from the estate, said: "People are absolutely devastated, numb and scared.Lynn Nelson, who ran the Island Beauty Salon in a property rented from the estate, said: "People are absolutely devastated, numb and scared.
"They don't know how they are going to provide the next meal for their family.""They don't know how they are going to provide the next meal for their family."
The manageress of the Aval du Creux hotel, who asked not to be named, said she was informed of its closure on Thursday afternoon. We've got to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and move forward to a shiny new democracy Conseiller Paul Armorgie
She said she, her husband, and 11 other staff had lost their jobs and did not know what they were going to do next. The manageress of the Aval du Creux hotel said she was informed of its closure on Thursday afternoon.
She said she, her husband and 11 other staff had lost their jobs and did not know what they were going to do next.
But she said she did not blame the Barclay Brothers who had invested "millions of pounds" into the island's economy.But she said she did not blame the Barclay Brothers who had invested "millions of pounds" into the island's economy.
Jan Guy, one of Sark's tourist advisors, said less than 20% of the island's accommodation had been affected.Jan Guy, one of Sark's tourist advisors, said less than 20% of the island's accommodation had been affected.
Politicians in Jersey have pledged their support for islanders who have lost their jobs and there have been offers of financial support from individuals in Guernsey.Politicians in Jersey have pledged their support for islanders who have lost their jobs and there have been offers of financial support from individuals in Guernsey.
Conseiller Paul Armorgie, one of the newly-elected members of Sark's Chief Pleas (government), said: "The show will go on.Conseiller Paul Armorgie, one of the newly-elected members of Sark's Chief Pleas (government), said: "The show will go on.
"We've lost one of our benefactors but we've got to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and move forward to a shiny new democracy.""We've lost one of our benefactors but we've got to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and move forward to a shiny new democracy."
Are you living in Sark? What is your reaction to the Barclay brothers' actions? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you living in Sark? What is your reaction to the Barclay brothers' actions? Send us your comments using the form below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
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