Crown Dependencies - Justice Committee Contents


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





 
previous page contents next page

House of Commons home page Parliament home page House of Lords home page search page enquiries index

© Parliamentary copyright 2010
Prepared 30 March 2010