There are many and varied matters of national interest and importance which can be topics for editorial comment and analysis these days, rather than dwelling on other issues of less significance or urgency.
But one of the most recent concerns which evoked much public discourse and dismay, has been the absence of the Chief Minister at the celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee both in Anguilla and particularly inLondon. What critics say, relating to the home front, is that it is ironic that the invitations to the ceremony at the Ronald Webster Park were sent out under the name of the Chief Minister but he was not there, notwithstanding that he left a recorded address before flying toNew Yorkreportedly on a private jet.
Even if his absence from Anguilla could be excused, his non-attendance inLondonis both inexcusable and indefensible. The critics go even further – calling it embarrassing to the people of Anguilla, whom he should have represented, and a slighting, if not snubbing, of the Queen, the British Government, the people of theUnited Kingdomand the Commonwealth in general.
All right-thinking people of Anguilla, who turned out in large numbers at the ceremony at the Webster Park on Monday, June 4, would have felt proud that the leader of their Government was among the Chief Ministers and Premiers of the Overseas Territories who were formally invited to London for the grand and once-in-a-lifetime event. Like his colleagues, Mr. Hughes could have enjoyed travelling on one of the vessels of the flotilla which accompanied the Queen and other members of the Royal Family down the Thames River; could have attended the concert and reception at Buckingham Palace the same night, and the Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral the next day. In fact, it is understood that the Queen had requested that special consideration should be given to involving theOverseasTerritoriesin the celebrations inLondon, but our Chief Minister, by his absence, declined to accept the invitation. Although it was reported by the Governor that someone else in theUK, whom he did not name, had undertaken to representAnguilla, it is nothing like having the actual leader of the island there in person.
The functions the Chief Minister may have attended in New York were the Annual Dinner Dance and Awards Ceremony, part of the Anguilla Day celebrations by the Anguilla Progressive Association there, and the Annual CTO Conference. He could have easily been represented there, without being missed, by the Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism, who is well known for his excellent representation ofAnguillaat various functions abroad. None of the above events should have kept the Chief Minister away from the nationalistic and historic proceedings at which he was required to be present. His Ministers, advisers or those closer to him, should have firmly advised him about the need todemonstrate statesmanship, decorum, respect or etiquette by putting in his appearance.
Regardless of his strong views about British colonialism, one of his pet subjects, he could not go wrong by simply showing some semblance of patriotism or respect for the Monarchy and the occasion. Though he spoke well about the Queen, in his recorded address, his unexplained absence at the Diamond Jubilee events, unfortunately, appeared to have cast a shadow over much of what he said.One never knows what notes are being taken by British diplomats – of any territory – of leaders thought to be delinquent, in some cases, and how such records may later compromise elements of functional cooperation or goodwill.
The Anguilla society is rife with a lot of disrespect and lack of nationalism among many of our young people. We certainly cannot correct them, or reverse the sad trend, if we, as adults and leaders, fail to set example. This is the second time that the Chief Minister has declined, or did not respond to, an invitation to celebrations inLondon. The first was last year’s Royal Wedding to which he and hisOverseasTerritoriescolleagues, and other leaders, were invited – and he was widely criticised for not attending. He has now repeated that ill-advised stance by absenting himself from the Queen Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
It is not that anyone takes delight in criticising the Chief Minister, especially unnecessarily, but some fair criticism should always be welcomed by him, or those around him, when it is really a voice of reason aimed at keeping him on track. It has been another missed opportunity for him to represent the people of Anguilla, not to mention the personal privilege and honour he would have enjoyed at the events inLondonand to be part of an historic occasion.
