Democracy is an ancient Greek concept that relates to the interaction of the rulers and the ruled. It was passed on to the rest of the world and is now the bedrock of governmental systems in Western Civilization. Here in Anguilla, whether as an intellectual or a pseudo-intellectual, whenever we speak derogatively referring to ourselves as Afro-Saxon, the fact remains that all of our most important institutions rest on the principles of Western Civilization. And whether we like it or not that is our starting point.
Once we come to grips with this fact, then we can move on without prejudice and use the tools that democracy has developed over the many centuries of its evolution for our own purposes. We do not have to re-invent the wheel but the democracy ofAthenstoday is not the same democracy of Plato’s day. In Plato’s time democracy was more direct — today it is more indirect. Nowadays, for the most part, we have representative Government yet in certain situations we revert to handling things directly. A referendum is a common tool for handling some issues directly.
It is being alleged that Mr. Hughes and his surrogates are threatening to force us intoIndependence. They cannot make us do so because we adhere to some very basic tenets and general principles of democracy. Whether he likes it or not, he has to ask us, the people, if we wantIndependence— and we can say “No Sir! Not now!” This is the purpose of holding a referendum and we must follow certain rules pertaining to how it must be conducted. The Government must go directly to the people. It cannot substitute the people’s decision with its own. This is a situation where representative government is not responsible for the decision. Instead, it is a case that requires direct action because of the significant nature of the question. Ordinary action will not suffice. It must now be looked at differently. And the concept of “we the people” overrides the ideas inherent in “government of the people, for the people, by the people”. The Anguilla Government cannot use its majority in the House to gainIndependence. It may, however, use it to notify us of its intention and to make it clear and unambiguous what will be the consequences of the result.
There are rules and plenty of examples to show how referendums should be conducted. One of the most recent in our neighborhood was the case ofNevis. The main features in that case was that a motion was put to the House to establish a time for public debate and to agree the percentage of votes required to validate the referendum. The Anguilla United Front (AUF) accepts these as minimum requirements and emphatically insists that the decision should be made on the basis of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of votes cast. The AUF firmly contends that a simple majority will not suffice. The AUF believes that the gravity of the change sought requires the deeper sanction of a larger number of people than that derived from a simple majority. The fact that the action could result in what may be compared to as “cutting the umbilical cord”, demands that it should not be handled in a cavalier fashion. Instead, it must be given the opportunity for careful assessment.
To a thoughtful person, from where we are and where we want to go with what we have, is tremendously overwhelming. This, therefore, demands that “every man jack” gets a sound understanding of the issue. Thus the need for, and the importance of, well-informed rational debate that puts aside the emotionalism attached to nationalism. The debate will have to highlight the island’s state of readiness, economic status, and future prospects. It is not just because I am Anguillian and I can vote! It is because as an Anguillian with a vote, if used wisely, it could in the future benefit those who come after me, positively. Moreover, an issue like this is one that promotes a radical departure from what we know. It is also irreversible — “no repentance in the grave man”! That is why we cannot allow a few people to decide on it. Neither should we rush to judgment based on one man’s confused importance of himself in the scheme of things.
As part of the public debate, the AUF would welcome a roundtable discussion to explore the merits and/or demerits of the issue. The Speaker must be forewarned that in the discussion in the House, her role is to keep order and not to punctuate the debate with interruptions, based on a partisan agenda. The Speaker must bear in mind that this issue is bigger than any sitting Member of the House on that day. Therefore, the proceedings must be “free-flowing” and conducive to frank debate. It must be such that both sides can thoroughly explore the significant facts surrounding the issue ofIndependence. The case for and against “independence now” must be clearly presented to the people so that they too can put their mind to the matter, and please themselves rather than please this Government.
When Anguillians take time to consider the matter, they must first think on what is the real issue; where and to what is it leading; who are these people pushing it; and why now? Do these proponents of “independence now” see it as a “power grab” for themselves? Is it because they have land, money, and some education that they believe they can withstand any of the well-known side effects of this prescription?
Or, as I overheard on the corner: “Dey tink becaw we een gaw wah they gaw, dat we stupid; or becaw they gaw everything and all dem wahn now is POWER and the “ISLANDfor a TOY! Wah!!! Who dem think them is buddy? Boy wah you gon get out of it! Uh know you een gon be Governor General!”
“Well tell themAnguilladoan belongst to them. It belongst to we! And we gun please ourselves when we ready. Uh wonder how much dey care bout who eatin tonight! Dem wid dey fraught bout independence! Tis wuk we want to do!”
But alas, my dear voter, remember this: When the speeches are over. The political chicanery abates. The shouting dies down. You will have the last word. Because when all is said and done — your “X” supersedes everything that they can concoct. They can’t take that away from you! Oh no! They can’t!
