Sark island residents push for electoral reform with human rights application

Some Sark residents want electoral reform

A campaign group is applying to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to push for electoral reform on the island of Sark.

The Sark First group says it wants "a more proportional system of representation" on the island.

The island is run by Chief Pleas - made up of 28 Conseillers, a president and the seigneur, a hereditary title.

Sark First said it was ready to make an application following an "absence of action" from the Ministry of Justice.

Tony Le Lievre, chairman of Sark First, said: "The disenfranchised people of Sark need a level playing field in order to have a say in government."

A new constitution was adopted in 2008 with the introduction of a 30-member chamber.

Sark First was set up in October 2014 with the aim of replacing the current structure with an alternative electoral system.

It said the group aimed to put "an end to the divisions that are tearing the island apart".