Sir David Barclay (left) and his twin brother Sir Frederick Barclay after receiving their knighthoods in 2001
Posted on 12/14/2008 3:46:32 PM PST by bruinbirdman
The Barclay brothers' representative is to return to Sark to open talks on safeguarding jobs in the wake of their decision to withdraw their investment from the Channel island.
Sir David Barclay (left) and his twin brother Sir Frederick Barclay after receiving their knighthoods in 2001
Kevin Delaney, of Sark Estate Management, the company which administers the Barclays' properties on Sark, is due to return this week to see if the islanders still want them to be involved in some way in its affairs.
The brothers decided to withdraw their £5 million-a-year investment after Sark's residents failed to back their supporters in the island's first full parliamentary election.
Less than a day after the election result, the brothers took the decision to close down two hotels, a restaurant and other commercial premises, laying off most of the businesses' 140 workers.
Gordon Dawes, their legal representative, last night reiterated that "the door remains open" for the island's political authorities to forge a new relationship with them.
He said: "Mr Delaney is looking to have discussions with the politicians there regarding what can be done to retrieve the situation and come to a new working relationship. That is the hope."
He stressed: "The Barclay family is very conscious that Christmas is approaching. They do not want anybody to suffer hardship."
The brothers have pushed for democratic reforms to the island. Until last week's election, most of the 28-member parliament, the Chief Pleas, had inherited their seats under Sark's 440-year-old feudal system.
However, the Barclays felt further reforms were necessary, believing the Seigneur, the island's feudal lord, and the Seneschal, who is both the chief judge and the speaker in the Chief Pleas, retain too much power.
Last week's election was broadly
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Note to workers: Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
That £5,000,000 investment each year is over £8,000 for each man, woman and child on the island. Not trivial...
This matter is being watched rather closely by a number of ...’investors’ in the Channel Island banks.
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