Memorandum submitted by Joseph Livio Angela
and Micheline Danielle Angela (ne Dareau)
SUMMARY OF
CONTENTS:
1. Lack of democracy, monopoly of information
2. Anomaly in British (Crown) citizen's
rights
3. Changes in Island Industry
4. Impact of change on education
5. Impact of change on culture
6. Impact of change on ecology
7. Should finance collapse
8. Future of Island
1. LACK OF
DEMOCRACY, MONOPOLY
OF INFORMATION
Jersey does not have a political party system,
and any form of political opposition is derided and heavily opposed
by the ruling Establishment. This system worked quite well with
the old industries, but quickly became an abuse of power once
the financial interests were involved. The historic position of
the Bailiff as Head of Island Government, as well as head of Judiciary,
can cause concern for political influence in the Justice System.
The Island also has only one major newspaper,
by consequence there is a strong tendency to offer an establishment
point of view. We have noticed, on a few occasions, when the reporting
seemed to be quite different to events experienced.
2. ANOMALY IN
BRITISH (CROWN)
CITIZEN'S
RIGHTS
Any holder of a Jersey issued British Passport
has stamped on page 5, (observations) : "holder is not entitled
to benefit from European Community provisions relating to employment
or establishment" accompanied by another official stamp of
the Jersey Passport Office.
Although in Notes/2, Citizenship and Nationality
Status (inside back cover) quotes: "No rights of abode in
the UK derives from the status as British Nationals of British
Dependent Territory citizens...", it however appears that
all British Citizens AND European Community Citizens can freely
work and reside in Jersey, are we British Citizens or are we not
British Citizens!
3. CHANGES IN
ISLAND INDUSTRIES
The development of the Island following the
Second World War continued with specialised agriculture produce
and cattle, and advanced into family tourism, both successful,
compatible with one another, and sustainable for a small island.
The early introduction of financial/fiscal evasion
by Accountancy firms took many years to develop. It was encouraged
by the Political Establishment as being "more beneficial"
to the Island's welfare.
This resulted in many agricultural properties
being sold and fractioned as being attractive to newly arrived
"Rich Residents". The tourism market, although successful,
was considered by many Jersey politicians to be too low market
and high volume orientated, also, there arose a need to acquire
tourism properties to accommodate the large number of Banking
Staff arriving in the Island.
We ran a small, but successful, Family Guest
House for 19 years, welcoming mainly French and Scandinavian
Guests who greatly appreciated the beauty and charm of the Island..
Our business dropped drastically in the last five years of trading
as the Tour Operators found the destination too expensive. This
was due to large increases in airport and harbour fees, but also
to the fact that tourist facilities received no financial aid
from the States of Jersey to improve the infrastructure, thereby
any improvements were followed by price increases, making Jersey
uncompetitive with all other similar destinations.
4. IMPACT OF
CHANGES ON
EDUCATION
Naturally with the shift in industry the attitude
of the local education authority also changed. We had encouraged
two of our Children to attend (the then rather good) catering
college. At the time, their secondary school careers officer actually
tried to dissuade them, stating that "tourism was already
a dead industry".
5. IMPACT OF
CHANGES ON
CULTURE
Jersey has always had a blend of Norman-French
culture, inter wound with English influences. It has given the
Island a unique character, and as in general, a local culture
helps maintain stability in the local infrastructure. This gentle
balanced has been greatly disturbed by a large influx of finance
staff, often on time-determined contracts, whose only interest
in the Island is to earn as much money as possible and little
interest for local traditions.There have been many attempts, even
today, to maintain an awareness and participation in events, but
St Helier in particular, has developed the same sterility of ambiance
as any other large finance centre.
6. IMPACT OF
CHANGES ON
ECOLOGY
Agriculture has been greatly reduced in these
last few years, as mentioned, to allow for development of typical
Island farm properties into exclusive residences, whilst this
in itself does not harm the environment, the reduction in agriculture
disturbs the natural balance of indigenous plants and insects.
This combined with a much disputed, policy to allow an increase
in Island population, this natural balance and beauty of what
is a very small island, is being brutally urbanised, often with
speculative development that remains unoccupied.
7. SHOULD FINANCE
COLLAPSE
The financial position of the States of Jersey
is no longer healthy. The only real income is tax revenue from
the Banking sector and local Taxation. The policy of 0% tax for
non resident companies is of benefit only to these large fund
holders. Following the present world crisis, there is already
a reduction of staff in some financial houses in Jersey (HSBC
for one example), but it would be the local population who would
have to carry the burden of any major collapse in the system,
by higher taxation and reduction of social services.
There are no alternative industries to replace
an reduction of finance. Even an attempt to rebuild tourism would
take many years and a high level of investment. The Island would
also have to regain it's old privileged and attractive image.
It would be consequential that any large reduction
in the finance industry would also lead to a large emigration
of local people unable to maintain their living standards, the
survival of the Island would be dependant on outside help.
8. FUTURE OF
THE ISLAND
It is our opinion that the Island, left to its
own devices, without any outside control will reduce itself into
ruin. Apart from the consequences on the local population, this
would also offer a poor image of a Crown Dependency to the rest
of the world.
We feel that it is obvious that the Island Authorities
need some guidance, whether from the UK Parliament or the European
Union to be able to re—establish an administratively and
morally correct governance. But also to counteract the globally
unjust tax avoidance circuit.
We are grateful to the Justice Committee of
the UK Parliament for this opportunity to express our experiences,
and greatly applaud their motivation for this enquiry.
September 2009
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