UK Overseas Territory Residents Angered By Tax But No Vote

by Amanda Banks, Tax-News.com, London

18 June 2002

Residents of Ascension Island, a tiny volcanic outcrop in the South Atlantic Ocean, have presented the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office with a petition protesting the fact that they are being forced to pay British taxes, despite being deprived of the right to vote or own property on the Island.

Ascension has been inhabited by the British since 1815, when a military garrison was stationed there in order to ensure that Napoleon did not attempt to escape from St Helena. However, the UK government only formally took charge of the Island two years ago - prior to that, it was administered by the various organisations which operated there, including the BBC, Cable and Wireless, and the Royal Air Force.

Angered by the UK's recent decision to impose income tax, property taxes, and levies on alcohol and tobacco on the Island's 850 residents, campaigners for democratic representation have submitted a petition bearing some 300 signatures to the FCO, the Times newspaper reported on Saturday. The petition states that:

'We the undersigned deplore the introduction of taxation without representation on Ascension and the failure of Ascension Island government to adequately consult and take into account the views of the people of Ascension.' The document continued: 'We call upon the Ascension Island Government and the British Government to introduce democratic representation without delay.'

Although the British government appears to be keen for this to happen, the Times report suggests that those campaigning for greater self-determination for Ascension Island face their main obstacle in the person of David Hallamby, the Governor of St Helena, the British Overseas Territory which oversees Ascension.

According to reports, Mr Hallamby plans to allow the introduction of a democratically elected council for the Island in the near future. However, this council will only be permitted to advise him on the best interests of Ascension Islanders, and will not be allowed to particpate in the decision-making process.

Mr Hallamby argues that this is because: 'There's not a lot of experience of of governance among the most vociferous. As they gain experience, they can take on more responsibilities.'

However, military contractor, Gordon McHugh told the Times that this has angered the Ascension residents, 'ninety-nine percent' of whom want full democracy in exchange for their taxes. 'No one here is subversive, we just want what is normal everywhere else in the Western world,' he observed, adding that: 'There's a huge amount of public resentment.'

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