By next December, the system that has governed the island for hundreds of years should end. This is when the Chief Pleas, Sark’s Parliament, oversees the removal of the hereditary and political rights of a handful of landowners that give them control of the island.

But the electors were determined to hold the poll on their own terms for one last time. The 600 residents had the black metal ballot box — just the one; they had a polling station and they had a returning officer ensuring fair play.

This was a general election on the scale of a parish council vote. With no cars allowed on the island, 212 of the 422 registered electors walked, cycled, or drove a tractor to cast their votes on Wednesday.

Any form of political campaigning as overt as issuing a manifesto was considered utterly de trop and standing under the banner of a party would be a guaranteed vote loser.

“We’re a small community and most people know most other people and therefore know their views already,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Reginald Guille, the Seneschal, whose roles include magistrate, returning officer and chairman of the Chief Pleas. “You won’t find anyone standing as Conservative, Liberal, or Labour either. It doesn’t work like that here.”

As votes were cast, the talk was all about pixies (don’t ask), electricity and water. At 37p a unit, electricity is a contentious issue. Water is another problem as there is no mains supply. Nor does the island have an NHS or benefits.

But if they grumble about the lack of mod cons, it is the approach of electoral reform that gets the islanders really worked up. Even those who support reform feel that the island has had it imposed on them through the European Convention on Human Rights and the legal chivvying of the business tycoons Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay.

Some islanders are incensed by what they regard as being “treated like naughty schoolchildren” and told what to do. Sir David and Sir Frederick own Brecqhou, a neighbouring island considered part of Sark, and have campaigned to change the power structure in the Chief Pleas.

They are demanding an end to the feudal system where 40 landowners, the Tenants, have an automatic right to a seat in the Chief Pleas, outnumbering the 12 elected deputies. As Tenant of Brecqhou, Sir David has a guaranteed seat but has never exercised the right.

The islanders do not understand why they should lose a feudal system that dates back to William the Conqueror.

Muriel Armorgie said: “The islanders were quite happy with things as they were.”

Linda Williams fears the likely eradication of the system of noblesse oblige, in which hereditary landowners have a duty to help run the island, means there will be hardly anyone willing to take up the unpaid tasks essential to Sark’s governance.

Other residents, however, accept that change is inevitable. One believes the general sentiment is for change and is critical of the Chief Pleas, which she accuses of ignoring the views of the electorate. Another resident, Antony Dunks, said: “The island should become democratic.”

Jennifer McDermott, partner at Addleshaw Goddard solicitors, said on behalf of the Barclays: “There will always be people who don’t like reform.

“My clients are pleased the constitution is changing to allow democratic decisions to be taken by elected representatives. The British Government agrees. Sark itself has acknowledged it needs reform.”

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