The Government and people of Anguilla have showered Revolutionary Leader, James Ronald Webster, with much praise for his leadership role in the 1967 Revolution which was a turning point in the island’s modern history.
The event was his 86 birthday celebration on Friday, March 2, a public holiday in Anguilla. It was the 3rd such holiday, but this was a more formal occasion with an Official Parade at the J. Ronald Webster Park, inspected by Mr. Webster. The participating uniformed contingencies were drawn from the Royal Anguilla Police Force, HM Prison, Scouts, Cub Scouts, Guides, Brownies, Pathfinders and Girls Brigade.
Addressing the large gathering, Governor Alistair Harrison said that “in 1967 Mr. Ronald Webster and the other leaders of the Revolution made the world sit up and listen. They led a revolution against a forced union which almost no one on the island supported: Associated Statehood with St. Kitts.”
Governor Harrison continued: “Ronald Webster and his colleagues had three important assets: Unity – most of Anguilla was behind him; Vision – they knew what they wanted: the status for Anguilla as a separate Territory; Courage – to take on whatever was thrown at him. The Colonial Office, a dithering marriage broker in this forced union, finally got the point but only after the British intervention of 1969.”
Mr. Harrison stressed that unity remained an important factor, in Anguilla, to meet other challenges facing the island. “We are inspired by Ronald Webster’s example of unity, vision and courage to keep striving, whatever the odds,” he added.
Chief Minister, Hubert Hughes, said in part: “We pay honour to you, Mr. Webster, for your part in first seeking constitutional dignity for the people of Anguilla following the 1967 Revolution. Today, this celebration of your birthday causes us to silently reflect on your part, and the several others who stood with you in seeking a better life for our people…It is with a measure of pride…that we salute you today on your 86th birthday.
“Your vision back in the 1960s saw a very progressive Anguilla which was subordinate to no one – an Anguilla that sought a better future for its people. Your vision did not envision them being in a constitutional arrangement that was anything other than a constitutional position that captured the integrity, dignity and culture of your people. You are a pioneer, and back in the 1960s you envisioned the Republic of Anguilla. The Anguilla of today sees us still afar off from the pioneering goals that you have envisioned. In fact, we left the pride in your legacy slip.”
Mr. Hughes said that the 1982 amended Constitution had increased the powers of the British Government in Anguilla’s affairs. “It weakened and diluted Anguilla’s ability to govern itself,” he stated. “Today, what we see happening in Anguilla is where those increased powers are being used against the best interest of Anguilla. We know you must feel personally disappointed with where Anguilla is 40-plus years later.”
The Chief Minister said that Anguilla was one of the last Overseas Territories to fulfill its constitutional advancement, and that the time had now come for the British influence on the island to decrease as the island forged ahead with constitutional reform.
Opposition Leader, Evans McNiel Rogers, said that over the past forty-five years successive Governments of Anguilla had recognised the importance of Mr. Webster’s vision and that of the founders of the Revolution “to build a nation proud, strong and free.”
He added: “The new breed of revolutionaries and leaders are required to carry forward the vision in the boardrooms and meeting places in Anguilla, the region and the world, rather than on the lonely beaches along our coastline. The successes of Mr. Webster’s vision have emboldened the people of Anguilla to strive for even greater heights. It is a vision and a legacy that must be embraced as a symbol of our past and a beacon for our future.”
Mr. Webster, who wept during his brief address, said he was humbled by the kind and thoughtful celebration of his birthday, dubbed “Ronald Webster Day,” and expressed gratitude to the Government and others who organised the event.
“Our bravery and bloodless revolution stunned the world,” he emphasised. “Our achievements have been many, but there is much to be accomplished. We must now march on with the same spirit of unity and determination with Almighty God as our pilot.”
Mr. Webster’s formal address was delivered by his adopted daughter, Patsy. He was grateful to all for their unstinting support and courage in the past and was confident that, despite the present difficulties, Anguilla had a bright future.
“I renew my call on you to protect your future; to create among you a spirit of oneness and to work towards making Anguilla an economically self-reliant and dignified nation,” Webster continued. “Now, more than ever before, we need strong and well-defined leadership, and a platform on which we all can share love, understanding and close the political divide that affects us so greatly. We need to return to the days of 1967 when politics was all about service to country without personal gain; and when there were greater public trust, integrity and commitment.”
Mr. Webster said there was a need for the people of Anguilla to press on towards self-determination. “It has not been easy for our people living under a colonial system,” he observed. “We continue to be denied access to funds available from development banks, and other lending financial institutions, and to be fully represented at important conferences on the international scene. This is a result of our lingering attachment to Britain and the need for Anguilla to assume greater autonomy. Under the influence of Britain, our political leaders have become ineffective, weak and in a state of infancy. They (our leaders)must work towards overcoming this and achieving a constitutional status that brings them a sense of political maturity and respect.
“We must be proud of our heritage. The torch must now be passed on to our younger generation. As the predominant leader of Anguilla in the past, I have passed on that torch to others: some have now blown it out; others have taken and rekindled it; and others are still waiting to accept it. My task is over and fading health has become a concern and preoccupation, but I am not cast forsaken nor cast down. I still look forward to the day when our young people can make the future of our island a bright one. My Hope is built on them, their ability to prepare themselves for leadership to run the affairs of Anguilla and to chart its course as an independent nation.”
Mr. Webster commended all the uniform units for their smart bearing and performance and wished everyone a joyous day.
The other events, in celebration of his birthday, were a B-class boat race from Sandy Ground to Island Harbour, an island-wide motorcade, and a fun day and health fair on the grounds of the Old East End School.
