AHC: Turn the Isle of Wight into Singapore

Both islands are of similar size, and sit on major shipping routes. Would it be possible to turn the Isle of Wight into a similarly densely-populated location? Preferably independent (after all, independence from the UK, and the EU, would probably allow it more flexibility in terms of economic policies).

So gang: is it possible, with a POD after 1900?
 
Negotiated peace ends World War II, Nazis keep Isle of Wight as per the terms of the deal... the Nazi German Empire collapses eventually but the Isle of Wight has been 'Germanised' to such an extent its barely recognisable and remains independent? Eventually, it becomes a tax haven to support itself, and a boom in the 70s from British, French, etc escaped tax exiles sees a boom.
 
You could go right back to the turn of the century ...

In 1890 the Isle of Wight became a county in its own right being split from Hampshire, given a further ten years this might not be enough for some residents and an independence party is formed. This party given the right circumstances ... maybe something during WW1 could push the populace to elect IOWI party candidate to represent them in the houses of parliament.

In 1974 there were proposals to bring the Isle of Wight back under Hampshires control ... this may be the tipping point for the IOWI party to call for full independence from the UK.
 

Ancientone

Banned
Two bits of information. The Isle of Wight reduces in size by 50% at high tide. It has no (or very, very few) hard working Chinese, especially Lee Kwan Yew.
 

mowque

Banned
Singapore has been in the area of bustling commerce since way before Vasco De Gama. Trade routes from Africa, Middle East, India, China, Japan (and later Australia and such), in an area rich in natural resources with a large diverse population.

And the Isle of Wight....
 

Ancientone

Banned
I dunno what isle you're thinking of, but the Isle of Wight doesn't lose anywhere near 74 square miles every high tide :confused:
My error. It it's former fame at shrinking to be the smallest county twice a day that I was thinking of. It still doesn't have many Chinese though!
 
My error. It it's former fame at shrinking to be the smallest county twice a day that I was thinking of. It still doesn't have many Chinese though!

Well if all it takes is some Chinese and an island near a bigger place to make a Singapore then this should be a relatively simple affair.

I have some other islands to work on too, if you have any spare Chinese who don't have anything particularly special tying them where they are now

I was thinking that the Auckland Islands would be a good spot, given the Southern Ocean is dangerously lacking for trade entrepôts.
 
If the Isle of Wight had the same population density as Singapore it would have 2,803,564 people. I don't see how or why such a city would develop in 100 years. It would require the virtual destruction of London, for starters. Singapore is uniquely positioned to be a global trading hub. Southern England, on the other hand, has no need for another metropolis. It isn't impossible, but it's unlikely. Even if it is occupied by the Germans or another foreign power, I don't see it growing so astronomically fast unless London is severely crippled.
 
If the Isle of Wight had the same population density as Singapore it would have 2,803,564 people. I don't see how or why such a city would develop in 100 years. It would require the virtual destruction of London, for starters. Singapore is uniquely positioned to be a global trading hub. Southern England, on the other hand, has no need for another metropolis. It isn't impossible, but it's unlikely. Even if it is occupied by the Germans or another foreign power, I don't see it growing so astronomically fast unless London is severely crippled.

It does however command the seas for anyone wanting to use the port of Southampton and the naval bases at Portsmouth. As a tax haven it could have some financial stability with UK based foreign companies using it as a way to avoid UK tax. There is room for an airport and it does have it's own railway. And with.a population in excess of 100k it is the most populous single political constituance in government.
 
It does however command the seas for anyone wanting to use the port of Southampton and the naval bases at Portsmouth. As a tax haven it could have some financial stability with UK based foreign companies using it as a way to avoid UK tax. There is room for an airport and it does have it's own railway. And with.a population in excess of 100k it is the most populous single political constituance in government.

Oh, it would certainly be a strategic possession, I just don't see the population explosion happening unless people are motivated to move there from the UK (or possibly the continent). There are plenty of tax havens that are not also major cities like Singapore.

Any idea how feasible it would be to build a fixed-link between the Isle of Wight and the English mainland? I am not particularly familiar with the area, but it seems like it would be doable and necessary.
 
It won't work because
Southampton is already established as a major port on the mainland so there's no reason to develop the island.
Portsmouth is one of the Royal Navy's most important bases. Nothing short of a sea mammal will make Britain let it go.
So really, apart from size, there's no comparison.
 
I think the point here is that the IOW would be an independant state so the fact that Southampton and Portsmouth are both important to Britain has a positive effect on the growth of both the economy and population of the IOW AFTER independence. If that independence is gained in the 1970's I can't see the British government risking the global consequence of civil war or crushing any kind of rebellion that might occur if they object to granting the IOW its freedom.

Bring on William Wallace ... actually it would be more likely William Kelly as Kelly is the most common surname on the island!!
 
Top