The ex-Senator – one of 22 prominent Channel Islanders who have signed a letter calling for the governments of Jersey, Guernsey and the UK to investigate economic and fiscal failures in the island – said Sark was ‘one of us’.
And he said it was hoped that all of the jurisdictions involved in the inquiry – if it gets the go-ahead – would contribute to its cost.
The group, which also includes former Chief Minister Terry Le Sueur, ex-diplomat Sir Nigel Broomfield and Jurat Sally Le Brocq, say that Sark is experiencing ‘very serious’ issues.
They include economic, educational, health, social security, community and democratic problems.
The group have written to ministers in Jersey and Guernsey and the Ministry of Justice requesting intervention and offering to help with an inquiry.
It follows years of tensions among those who live, work and have investments in Sark.
The group do not blame those tensions for the problems but say they have masked ‘fundamental’ problems that have been affecting the island for decades.
Mr Walker said that the response to the call for an inquiry had so far been good.
‘So far the response we have had from all those who we have touched base and consulted with has been very positive,’ he said.
‘We hope very much that it will act as a catalyst to enable Sark to resolve its long-running problems.
‘We would hope that the governments of the UK, Guernsey, Jersey and perhaps Alderney would all contribute to the cost.’
He added: ‘Obviously the principal objective is to, if we possibly can, help to resolve the problems in Sark.
‘The second objective is to ensure as best we can that the problems that clearly exist in Sark don’t in any way taint the international reputation of the Channel Islands as a whole.
‘We are, after all, internationally known as the Channel Islands.
‘Sark is one of us.
‘We all love Sark.
‘And we hope very much this won’t be regarded as poking our noses in. That is not our aim.’
