Barrel Strength

A 2.5 acre island of Forvik, which is formally known as Forewick Holm and is part of the Shetland Islands in the North Sea, has declared independence on June 21st, 2008. Mr. Stuart Hill, the sole-resident of the island, has posted the declaration on his website and states that he wants the territory to be a crown dependency like the Channel Islands, with an economy in which “There will be no income tax, VAT (value added tax), council tax, corporation tax, or any of the other taxes instituted by the British government”.

The basis of the independence is the historical fact noted in the aforementioned declaration, viz. “the only powers granted to King James III of Scotland in 1469, when he accepted these islands as security in the matter of payment of a marriage dowry, were those of trustee. His Majesty was holding them in trust until they were redeemed by King Christian of Denmark and Norway or his successors. Part of his obligation was to preserve the existing language and laws.”

Those interested in obtaining citizenship to the islands can find more information here.