President Abraham Lincoln in his famous Gettysburg Speech pointed out that democratic government in its true sense should embrace the concept of “Government of the people, for the people, and by the people”. And on another occasion he said, “You can fool some of the people some of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all of the time.” But we inAnguillalike to refer to our attitude towards politics as being “unique”. Given the above universally accepted points of view, and the prevailing behavior of the present Government, what does our concept of uniqueness imply when compared to this lofty ideal for “good governance” articulated over one hundred and fifty years ago?
We can only go by the empirical evidence or what is happening around us and approve, disapprove and resolve to change things positively. There is a lot of evidence to look at both past and present, that are persuasive, revealing and suggestive and which others from elsewhere, includingLincoln, would find repulsive, lacking and unappealing. Fortunately, or unfortunately, it is to our Government that Anguillians look for guidance and the resolutions of problems. That is why we must examine the behavior of this Government and particularly that of the Chief Minister. We are certain that he is no President Lincoln by any stretch of the imagination. We look at what he does and not what he says — because his speech and actions are often diametrically opposed. There are many examples that reveal the nature of the man but there are two that define him and tell that his leadership is seriously flawed.
Let us first examine the lie told to international authorities with regard to the establishment of a medical school inAnguillaunder his (the CM’s) auspices. Why he did it and how he did it? The two most frequent utterances of his are: transparency and corruption. But notice what he does in this instance. He signs documentation declaring the existence of a school, with a graduating class, that is not there. Not only this. He does it without notifying the rest of the members of the Government. Obviously, this does not correspond with transparency. Instead, it looks like deceit and raises, to most innocent bystanders, some piercing questions around why did he do it, and was it right to do it? What was the reward? Is he such a pathological liar that he would lie about anything? Did he stick his neck out for these people, who he did not know, for nothing? That is not right and he should repent, be truly sorry, and apologize to the people ofAnguillain the interest of democracy, transparency and honesty. But he continues to put self above country and to rideAnguillalike a silly beast of burden. It is not fair!
Secondly, he goes to Executive Council to collect money for phone bills he claims he incurred some time in the last twelve years. Knowing full well, because of the set up, it would be “failsafe” to do so. The other members of Executive Council are his underlings and act at his request regardless of what the fair-minded people ofAnguillahave to say. But that does make this act right. As a matter of fact, using the same criteria this act committed by anyone else would be grounds for him to harangue the House for a couple of days in the name of corruption, transparency and honesty. But it does not apply to him because he does not have to practice what he preaches. He always exempts himself like Idi Amin Dada. But it is not right!
It makes all norms of democracy alien and is a unique way to run country. This must change sooner rather than later. Does the Chief Minister love money that much that he would sacrifice other people’s interest in this country in order to promote his own? What good is he to the people of this island?Anguillahas served him well – provided him with a good income far longer than anyone else while he has, in return, stifled political growth. Compared to the Prime Minister ofBritainandHong Kong, the Chief Minister’s reduction in pay is nothing spectacular! What is noteworthy is his rush to collect telephone money when other people are waiting on money owed to them by the Government. The captain is the last man to leave usually — but not on this ship. Here the Captain is the first man in the lifeboat. Like the Captain of the Costa Concordia, he is looking out for himself. Everyone else must either sink or swim, or “paddle his/her own canoe”.
To accept this attitude is to give a tortuous twist to the meaning of “uniqueness” and further commits us to a low level of political ignorance down a road that leads to nowhere. To clear the way for political change, Anguillians must throw off the yoke of this kind of leadership. That can only be achieved if and when we go to the polling booth next time. We will need to make a rational assessment based on who is best equipped to handle the issues at hand, and not on emotion or ill will.
Mr. Hughes is the best example of what we should not have. He literally decreed that theGoAshould pay his “aged” bills of questionable merit and readily left other persons, also owed money by Government, in the lurch. His action in fact telegraphs the message that he only cares about himself. And please pardon my French: “the rest of us could “manger meird”. Then we would put the meaning of uniqueness in prospective because voting for Mr. Hughes again would defy President Lincoln’s mantra — because he could claim that he fooled most of the people in Road South all the time. We are really a long way from that day inGettysburg!
