When I picked up “The Anguillian” newspaper last week and read the headline: “CM Dissatisfied with Governance and Investment Issues” —I actually felt as if I was caught in a “time warp”. And seeing a photograph of Minister Bellingham next to one of the Chief Minister, on the same page, I was further convinced that the paper was probably over a year old, that being the last time the FCO Minister was on the island. Just to be certain, I literally had to look at the date several times to make sure that my secretary did not bring me an old newspaper. I was eventually forced to surrender to the truth in the old adage: “The more things change the more they remain the same!” Indeed, the Chief Minister was “back on message” with the same old excuse: “The Governor and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) are obstructing the proper functioning of my Government”.
The Chief Minister was probably in and out ofAnguillaover the last six weeks more often than he has been on island. Particularly, in the last three weeks he has been absent in the midst of major crises, from the violent crime situation to important discussions on three of the island’s key tourism properties, namely, the Malliouhana, Cap Juluca and Viceroy Resorts. We do live in the age of advanced communication technology but to date the Chief Minister has not demonstrated any proficiency in being able to attend to such issues while overseas. In fact, I recall that about eighteen months ago he flew all the way back from an important meeting inBarbadosjust to respond to a letter from the FCO on Transshipment. A matter that could have been handled by fax or email.
The point I am making is that we were expecting the Chief Minister to come back and speak to the important issues affecting the island at this time, or perhaps explain the significance of his recent travels to addressing some of these issues. In all fairness, we would expect that from time to time the Chief Minister might be required to attend meetings of some of the regional organizations in whichAnguillaholds membership. However, in recent times his attendance to most of these meetings seem to be for the sole purpose of “washing his dirty linen in the regional and international public!”
It should have become obvious to the Chief Minister, by this time, that the Heads of Government of the Independent Caribbean States have no jurisdiction over the internal administrative affairs ofAnguilla. And based on the responses he has received it should likewise be obvious that these Heads of Government have more pressing issues on “their plates”, than to pay attention to the petty bickering that seems to be taking place in Anguilla.
To date, the Chief Minister’s determination to bring a delegation of regional officials toAnguilla, to join in his battles with the British and the Governor, has come to naught. The report from the first delegation that he requested seems to have been embargoed, because it still has not been released after more than nine months. In fact, the Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Evans McNiel Rogers, who was one of the key interviewees, has not been given the privilege of a copy (of the report) — and after several official requests was told that it is confidential. The last request which the CM made for three Caribbean Prime Ministers to come toAnguilla, to investigate his urgent complaints about the Governor, has come to naught. The Prime Ministers have still not arrived almost four months later.
Authoritative sources have told us that the first report was so embarrassing to the Chief Minister’s cause, that the Chairman of the Heads of Government decided that they could not release such a negative report on a sitting Chief Minister. And as regards the second request for a delegation of Heads – after some research – most of the Prime Ministers seem reluctant to participate in such a mission.
Given all of the above it seems incongruous, with the regional response to date, that the Chief Minister should make a public release that he is requesting three separate delegations to visit Anguilla, namely, “two to investigate complaints he has against Governor Alistair Harrison and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office … and the other delegation to advise on self-determination for the Government and People of Anguilla”. I have listened to the frustrated reactions to the Chief Minister’s release on his return from this recent regional adventure, and I concur with many of them that he appears to be completely out of touch with the real concerns of the people ofAnguillaat this time. And, furthermore, the several delegations that he is inviting to come to his assistance have absolutely no jurisdiction over the internal affairs ofAnguilla- and can bring no influence to bear on our relationship with our administering power.
In the foregoing context, I consider it fair to ask the following questions:
1) To whom will the delegations be reporting their findings and who will execute the follow-up recommendations?
2) Why do we need two delegations to investigate the same matter concerning the Governor and the FCO?
3) What is the expected composition of the delegation that will be advising on self-determination for the people ofAnguilla?
4) Who will pay for the costs of these three delegations?
5) Will the Chief Minister also request a delegation of Finance Ministers to assist him with managing his fiscal affairs?
6) Can the Chief Minister share a copy of the report of the first delegation with the general public in keeping with his pledge of transparency?
7) Which Government in the Caribbean does the Chief Minister look to as a model after which he wants to pattern Governance and Investment Policy inAnguilla?
8) Chief Minister, you have said that there is very little you can do because whatever the Governor does inAnguillais supported by the Foreign Office. Can you therefore explain how a delegation of Heads of Government can change that situation?
9) If the FCO Minister has reaffirmed the position of the British Government that it will not impede us in our quest for self-determination, but rather will assist us in achieving that goal, why then are you (CM) “making sure that we have Mrs. Josephine Gumbs-Connor as a representative on the United Nations Committee on Decolonization?”
10) Chief Minister, what policy are you requesting that the United Nations to, come in and assist us with as far as our self-determination project is concerned? Is this necessary when there is a clear path already established by the British Government that is based on the expressed will of our people forIndependence?
While I did not expect the Chief Minister to return from his travels with ready answers to the serious challenges we face inAnguilla, I believe that it is high time he stops wasting precious time. By his own admission, and borne out by the facts, he is already into the end of the first half of his term and he has still been unable to find a way to fulfill his promises to the people ofAnguilla. His ongoing rhetoric about investigations, and delegations, suggests that he may be intending to spend a considerable part of the second half of his term doing the same thing. If we have not received any results after two and a half years of this talk, what can we look forward over the next two and a half years from these new delegations that are still in the planning stages? And if we receive a report within the next year – as experience has proven to be realistic time frame – how much time will be left to execute his “invisible plan?”
My concerns, and those of many of my colleagues, go beyond “raw politics”! Truth be told, this Government is acting as if it has all the time in the world – even as things inAnguillacontinue to get increasingly worse. And they continue to believe that finding someone else to blame, and making politics out of every issue, will satisfy the concerns of the people. It is too late to expect people to be accepting that blaming the past Government and the Governor is still a reasonable excuse for a Government that said they would make a difference – and bring about positive change in the lives of Anguillians. Whatever the situation, after two and a half years, it is now your watch; your responsibility; you are in charge; and you must take charge!
Let me give you a quick snapshot about what we can expect over this long hot summer and the days ahead:
• People are still losing their jobs; their businesses; their transportation; their properties; and their minds.
• People are going to bed hungry; children are going to school without lunch; (the AXA Cares Food Bank distributed food baskets for more than 80 needy Anguillians last week) and has been distributing food baskets every week since the end of December 2011 — this is not a gimmick this is real and the demand is increasing.)
• The Water Authority is rationing water throughoutAnguillaand there is no information forthcoming as to when this situation will improve.
• Several hundred households inAnguillaare without electricity.
• The status of Cap Juluca, Malliouhana and Viceroy is uncertain for many workers in the hotel sector.
• Investors are extremely cautious about implementing MOU’s already signed by this Government, and as a consequence, there are no major jobs in the construction sector.
• Parents are challenged to equip their children for the upcoming school term with books and uniforms.
• The Summer Festival is being planned for two weeks.
• The Government is still divided.
So while the Chief Minister continues to talk about investigations, delegations and self-determinations — Anguillians are left to wonder when will the real issues that affect their lives be addressed? Is he serious about taking a “hurting people” into independence without a“tangible plan” in place for their sustainable development? Does the Chief Minister realize that we are facing a long hot summer? I am beginning to be seized of the imagery captured bythe legendary Jamaican Musical Group,Third World, in their popular tune:“96 degrees in the shade?” That’s hot!
