"That's it! We're outta here!"
Posted on 06/21/2008 3:54:28 PM PDT by Momaw Nadon
LONDON (Reuters) - The owner of a tiny island in off Scotland declared its independence from the United Kingdom on Saturday, saying he wanted the territory, population one, to be a crown dependency like the Channel Islands.
In a declaration on his Web site, Stuart Hill, who owns the 2.5 acre island of Forvik in the Shetland Islands in the North Sea, said he no longer recognised the authority of the government or the European Union, and cited a centuries-old royal marriage dowry deal as the basis for his claim.
"Forvik owes no allegiance to any United Kingdom government, central or local, and is not bound by any of its statutes," Hill wrote.
Hill, 65, has lived in the Shetland Islands on the edge of the Atlantic since 2001, when his boat capsized there during an unsuccessful attempted to circumnavigate Britain.
He is Forvik's only resident, and his home is a tent on the storm-battered island. He says on his website that he plans to create Forvik's own currency -- the "gulde" -- print his own stamps and raise his own flag.
"There will be no income tax, VAT (value added tax), council tax, corporation tax, or any of the other taxes instituted by the British government," Hill wrote.
Hill's claim dates back to a 15th century arrangement between the Norwegian King Christian and King James III of Scotland when the Shetland Islands were effectively pawned to King James in lieu of a marriage dowry.
According to Hill's studies of the history of the island, in 1669 King Charles II re-confirmed Shetland's status at the time of the pawning, meaning the islands remained directly answerable to the crown -- represented today by the Queen.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Does he have a defence force?
THE EU will have to field an army to bring him into submission!
“I also invite anyone from any country in the world, who supports these aims, namely to become free of liars, thieves and tyrants in government, to become a citizen of Forvik,” he [Stuart Hill] added.
He won’t succeed, but something makes me wish he would.
"That's it! We're outta here!"
If he’s got a knife, all bets are off. :)
I wonder if I can ship my Rv there?
They filmed the movie "Edge of the World" on that island. The movie is about another Island, St. Kilda, which is just about the same size but located in the outer Hebrides. Great movie and fascinating places these remote Scottish islands.
Sounds good to me. It can’t be any worse than an Obama nation.
Do I look like I'm kidding around?
oh, this is too much fun!
He should put up a file sharing web site and sell advertising.
There was another fellow who homesteaded an abandoned oil platform, declared independence, and made it stick against the British government. A year or so ago, it was up for sale.
interesting
This is something I would love to do, set up my own country and have my own laws.
immigration will be tight, no hand outs, no tax, the list is endless
Good luck to the fella
The hard work has already been done. Just follow the Constitution as it was intended.
This is something I would love to do, set up my own country and have my own laws.
immigration will be tight, no hand outs, no tax, the list is endless
Good luck to the fella
Captain Calamity to create new state in Shetland islands - Telegraph
Mr Hill is building the first and only permanent building on Forewick Holm from polythene sheets, laminated wood, hardboard and turf, all anchored down by a fishing net to guard against the gales.
Although he has no support with his idea and his residence has no planning permission, he said: "It's all jolly good fun" and "Every pensioner should do something like this."
Yes, I’ve always wanted to be king of my own island as well.
I would build a navy of outrigger canoes to attack surrounding enemy islands. It would be glorious.
Good for the bloke
“There was another fellow who homesteaded an abandoned oil platform, declared independence, and made it stick against the British government. A year or so ago, it was up for sale.”
That would be Sealand I believe. http://www.sealandgov.org/
Interesting. I hope he has a brewery in the works!
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