“I judge it vital that Sark never again be held to ransom”

Wednesday 21 November 2018

The ‘ruler’ of Sark has waded into the tiny island's growing energy crisis, warning he will drawing on army tactics to ensure Sark isn’t “held to ransom” and plunged into darkness if its electricity company pulls the plug in protest at a new law governing prices.

Sark Electricity is threatening to switch off its generators on 30 November, claiming that limits placed by the island’s government over the amount it can charge is driving the company, which was founded in 1947, to bankruptcy.

There have since been fears that Sark could be left in the dark, leading to a mass exit of its 500 residents. Despite this, Sark’s government has so far refused to buy or take over Sark Electricity, insisting its price controls are fair.

But in an uncharacteristically strongly-worded letter, Sark’s hereditary ‘ruler’, Seigneur and Major Christopher Beaumont, says he has no intention of letting that happen now or in future.

Pictured: Sark's Seigneur, Major Christopher Beaumont, has stepped into the electricity crisis.

Major Christopher Beaumont - who inherited his title from his father in 2016 - has written to all Sark residents to reassure them as the dispute between Sark Electricity and Chief Pleas – the official name of Sark’s government – powers on. 

Stating that turning off the power would be wrong, he wrote: "This action would be unacceptable and a threat to the wellbeing of the whole island. I intend to do all in my power to ensure the threat is either withdrawn or that it is countered in such a way as to minimise the possible consequences." 

He explained that if Sark Electricity follow through on their threat, the island can expect to be without power for at least six hours. Generators have, however, been brought in to try and keep the power on, although these are only expected to offer a limited supply to key areas including the Island Hall, the Avenue and the doctor's premises. 

Major Beaumont said he and Chief Pleas are in continued discussions with counterparts in Guernsey and the UK and all options are being explored "in order to construct comprehensive contingency plans which will resume the supply of electricity to everyone on the island. Thereafter, I judge it vital that the island never again be held to ransom in this manner."

Responding to Mr Gordon-Brown's claims that switching off the power will depopulate the island, the Seigneur said it won't. 

"I feel sure that where the German Occupation failed, so will he. I certainly have no intention of letting that happen, especially as he is refusing to abide by a fair independent ruling and Sark law."  

The Seigneur said he is working with the island's emergency services and will be available during any "arising crisis" citing his Army career which gave him experience in running operations. 

He has also called on Sark residents to offer their help in anyway if they can.

"I urge all of you to prepare to help in whatever way you can shaped we need assistance. It may only require that you check on your neighbours, but you may be able to offer much more. If you have skills, or simply the desire to help, please let our Chief Fire Officer, or me, know what you can offer."

Despite being associated with holding the island “to ransom”, Sark Electricity’s Director, Mr David Gordon-Brown wrote in a letter to the Guardian that the family-owned company was the one at a disadvantage.

He claimed that the problem was down to the structure of government, which changed in the late 2000s.

“In 2007, Sark was forced to remove its original feudal government and change to a fully elected assembly. This has resulted in an unprofessional and seriously dysfunctional government that feels entitled to take control of the electricity supply without paying for it. Over six years, this has cost the company over £500,000 defending itself – almost a year’s turnover.”

Pictured: Sark Electricity's website.

He continued: “As a director, it is inappropriate for me to continue selling a product that will drive the company to bankruptcy, so we have announced that we will not be selling electricity after the end of this month. The government has refused to accept that an electricity supply is important and refused every request by the company for a legal agreement. As a result, it is putting its electricity supplier out of business, but has no supply agreement it can enforce to guarantee the supply of an essential utility.

“This is an unusual case of a government shooting the entire electorate in the foot.”