出版社：Institute of Island Studies, University of Prince Edward Island
摘要：Canvey Island, located on the north side of the Thames Estuary, has experiencedperiodic inundations since its earliest periods of settlement. The island was sparsely populateduntil the late 1800s when a series of developments, including the construction of fixed links tothe mainland, attracted migrants from the East End of London who went on to form the core ofthe present-day population. The recent and relatively homogenous nature of this migration patternhas led to a local perception of difference from the more established communities of the adjacentEssex shore. The latter factor has contributed to a growing push for local autonomy on the island,which has connected with broader national political trends. The article identifies the manner inwhich experiences and perceptions of insularity can foster distinct senses of local difference andmarginalisation that result in autonomy initiatives at grassroots levels. With regard to the latter,parallels are also drawn with previous local autonomy initiatives in the United Kingdom,particularly those of the Isle of Dogs in 1970. The article also emphasises the role of theimagination and representation of locality in promotional, popular cultural and political discoursethat informs senses of community identity in various ways.
关键词：autonomy initiatives; Canvey Island; local identity; local politics; Thames Estuary
