The people of Anguilla have had a window of opportunity to hear some explanations surrounding the recently-published 2012 White Paper, setting out the relationship betweenBritainand itsOverseasTerritories, from Mr. Henry Bellingham, the Minister responsible for the Territories.
The British Minister’s comments came on Wednesday, July 4, in a Radio Anguilla interview arranged through the Governor’s Office. It was conducted by Radio Journalist and Communications Specialist, Keithstone Greaves. He managed to get the original allotted five-minute interview or “window of opportunity” extended to fifteen minutes (but felt he needed a longer time to put forward his questions). Here is the text of that interview transcribed as accurately as possible, though with some difficulty, and printed as a public service:
Q: Firstly, Minister, the Secretary of State, William Hague, said, and I quote: ‘In many respects the OTs are more vulnerable than theUK. We have broad responsibility to support them and ensure security and good governance…’ How will this be achieved, Minister?
A: I think the key to the White Paper is that we have now laid out a new re-invigorated approach to the Territories. What we are saying is that the Territories – they are unique; they are spread around the world; they are a huge asset to theUK– and what they deserve is a great deal of attention from theUKin terms of the expertise we have in Government Departments.
We want, for example, the public servants from Anguilla to come to theUKto enhance their skills. We want partnership arrangements, and what we are saying, is we [need] to enhance the relationship. There will be this exchange of expertise and capacity building but, in return, we also want to see good governance; and we also want to see good financial management.
Q: I notice, Minister, thatMr. Hague, as well in his foreword, mentioned it is a strategy of re-engagement…How will this happen?
A: I think that the most important thing to bear in mind is that for a number of years the Territories have been slightly parked in a corner of the Foreign Office and we [have not known] what to do in terms of relationship. But there is a huge amount of expertise across the British Government – and also we are a country with a population of over 60 million.Anguillahas a tiny population. It got a successful economy, but the Public Service, very obviously, is going to need to innovate; it is going to need new ideas. And we feel across the UK Government there is a lot of expertise and we would like to see the public servants, as I say, come fromAnguillato [get what experience they need…]There are going to be times when, for example, we need to offer you particular assistance. One example is about combating crime and the recent triple murders. What we have done is that we are sending expertise; we have sent Larry Covington, who is the OTs Law Enforcement Adviser,…to discuss strategies to tackle crime. These are the sort of areas where we can cooperate and move forward. So it is a question of re-engagement and a re-invigorated relationship.
Q: We have seen an apparent shift, Minister Bellingham, in policy, compared to the 1999 White Paper, where the entire UK Government is getting on board – both the Central Government and the Local Government. But some may see this – to say it crudely – as re-colonisation in relation to, perhaps, an influx ofUKpublic servants coming into theOverseasTerritories.
A: No. I don’t see it that way, actually, because this is going to be done on a basis of mutual trust. We are not saying toAnguilla: Look. Here are a number of experts – be it in the core service, the prison service, policing, in tourism, you must have them. What we are saying: these people are available if you need them. We are saying, for example, if you want to sign a partnership arrangement with aUKlevel authority that is up to the Anguillian Government. And so, for example, theBritish Virgin Islandshave signed a very successful partnership arrangement with Hertfordshire County Council so there is going to be an exchange of personnel, exchange of information. A good example is, theTurks and Caicos Islandsare currently in discussion with Norfolk County Council to sign a similar partnership. The Permanent Secretaries from the Turks and Caicos Islands have been inNorfolkto have a look at howNorfolkruns its local authority, and they may well sign a partnership agreement. I want to see partnership based on trust and based on mutual respect. [There is] no question ofBritainsaying this is what you should do – orBritaintrying to control the Territories. Far from it. It is going to be a relationship based on devolution, on autonomy in the Territories, but based on trust – with Britain there as a partner.
Q: Minister, how does theUKjudge good governance and what yardstick is used? I am looking here on things like the quality of public financial management, financial services legislation etc.
A: Unlike the French, we don’t have one size fits all. We are not saying to Territories: this is what you have to do. These are laws that we are going to lay downand we are going to regulate you very closely.One of the great strengths of the Territories is their diversity, their character, the fact that they are spread around the world; the fact that they have vibrant populations. Many of them have unique sectors in different parts of the economy and many are very successful. We are saying that one size doesn’t fit all, but we want to work in partnership with Territories and to look at how we can improve governance, how we can, for example, reduce the …risks in this troubled, challenging global environment, and how, also, as far as finance is concerned.
It is very important that all the Territories are on a sound economic footing. That’s why, for example, I welcome the fact that your Chief Minister made it very clear in his election manifesto…that he wanted to reduce the level of debt, he wants to have a balanced budget – and he believes that if you can have a strong economy, with good fiscal management, and responsibility, you would attract more investment; and you would be able to havea more sustained economy going forward.
Q: Minister, what is being done by theUKto prepare theOverseasTerritoriesfor eventual self-determination/independence? Do you think theUKis morally obligated to actively work with theOverseasTerritoriesin preparation for eventual independence – quite apart from people expressing their wishes by way of a referendum?
A: We take the view that if the Territories wish to remain British, then we will cherish that, we will support that, we will be very proud and honoured they want to remain British and we will invest in them. For example, we are putting a big level of investment inSt. Helena. We are building a new airportthere. We have an economic recovery programme inMontserrat. We are investing heavily in Pitcairn. So we are saying if these Territories want to remain British, then that is their choice. We won’t be embarrassed by that. We will be very proud of that, and we will actually work with them as a strong partner. Now, obviously underpinning all of this is self-determination. If you have a look at the White Paper, we have made it very clear that ultimately…the Territories have the choice for self-determination to decide on their future…So long as they want to remain British, as I say, we will cherish that. We will work on that to make a success of that.
Q: Minister, similar to the EU bail-out packages, why couldn’t something similar be afforded to the OTs until they could get back on solid footing even on a concessionary basis?
A: I would say thatBritainhas done exactly that. You have to look at theTurks and Caicos Islands. They had a massive debt and they faced a huge financial crisis. When we came into office, a few years ago, it was really a question of speculation as to whether the civil servants would be actually paid at the end of the month…The Department for International Development helped to coordinate and to raise a loan which they guaranteed – a quarter of a billion [pounds] – that’s two hundred and fifty million US dollars to help the Turks and Caicos Islands get back onto a secure financial footing. They are now meeting their …loans. Their budget is going into surplus and they are going to have elections later this year. That is an example of theUKsaying to a Territory: we recognise you have serious financial problems. We recognise that you need our assistance in raising a huge loan, in this case, and we will help you get back onto a secure footing.
In the case ofMontserrat, we are working with the Government on an economic recovery/re-generation programme. We are putting money into infrastructure, into a new port, and helping to build a new capital. Obviously, not all the Territories will qualify for assistance from DFID.Anguillahas a successful economy. You have middle income status. You have an economy that is going well, but what you[need] to do is diversifyyour economy. You need to get the finances onto a real good footing; continue the Chief Minister’s programme of good governance. If you do that, you will attract more investment; you will have a beautiful environment;a strong economy and [future generations will have something to look forward to].
Q: Minister, you said that the Anguillian economy is doing well but we have a number of people out of jobs. The Government has cut civil servants’ salaries and so on. The people ofAnguillaare really struggling and the economy is in shambles, to put it mildly.
A: I sympathise with that, but I think one has to bear in mind that if you compare the Anguilla economy to some of the fully independent countries in the Caribbean that are facing appalling financial crisis, that have intolerable debt burdens…in Anguilla of course the economy is facingchallenges and I don’t doubt that. Of course decisions have to be taken, but I think the people ofAnguillashould understand that, compared to other countries,…you should be very proud of the assets you got: world-class tourism; the fact that your economy is being diversified. You should be ‘talking’ up your economy and looking forward to a bright future and we will support you in those endeavours, I can assure you.
Q: Minister Bellingham, some people feel that a separate set of rules and favours are afforded to OTs like Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands compared to the otherOverseasTerritories. Is this a fair comment?
A: No. I don’t think it is a fair comment at all. As I said earlier, the OTs are incredibly varied and diversified. We don’t go for a formula of one size fits all…I urge your listeners to look at the White Paper and to really see that we are really spelling out a re-invigorated relationship with the Territories. Everyone is unique; everyone is incredibly important to us. As I said, if any Territory wants to remain withBritain, and if Anguilla wishes to remain in theUKfamily, then we will work with the Anguillian Government, and the people ofAnguilla, to ensure they have a brighter future.
Q: Minister Bellingham, the UK Parliament has unlimited power to legislate for theOverseasTerritories. Why can’t we have direct representation from the Territories in the UK Parliament to plead our case directly?
A: As far as the Anguilla Constitution is concerned, we are ready to start discussions on a new Constitution wheneverAnguillais ready to do so. What I can tell you about the White Paper is that since we launched it there has been a huge interest in the UK Parliament, with a great deal of interest in the future of Anguilla among parliamentarians both in the Commons and the House of Lords…We are not looking to have representation in our Parliament, but to have a closer relationship between our parliament – our politicians – and the Anguilla elected representatives and your Government. That’s why we want to see organisations like the Westminster Foundation for Democracy taking a greater interest inAnguilla. We want to use organisations in theUK, including parliamentarians, to help you build improved governance.
Q: Minister, on the voting issue – and I know from reading the White Paper – the UK believes that people who have made their permanent homes in the Territories should be able to vote. What is the basis for this, and how much thought has been given to the cohesion of this small community and the possibility of natives being swamped or out- voted by quote and unquote outsiders?
A: This is going to be something for the new Constitution. What we said in different Territories is that it is up to the Governments and the people to decide what is best for them. I think most people would agree with me that you have a robust system for belongership…to allow people who made a commitment to a country, for example born there, invested in the country, worked there for a long time, that they should in due course be allowed their full belongership and voting rights. We are not laying down a rigid system that is going to be applied across all Territories. We are saying it is up to each country, up to the Constitutions, to reflect this. Generally speaking, I think that most of your listeners would agree with me that if you made a commitment to a Territory, if you born there, moved there and worked there for a period of time, then you should, in due course, be allowed belongership and voting. So there is no question, as you say, changing the nature, character or the community cohesion of Territories. It is a question of making sure that people have the democratic status in society.
Q: Now, Minister Bellingham, the UN Decolonisation Committee. TheUK…believes that the Committee is no longer relevant. Why this position? And theUKin fact believes that all OTs should have been delisted years ago. Why this position now?
A: I think it is important to bear in mind that the UN Decolonisation Committee was set up at a time when countries were not keen on giving Territories independence – when countries were hanging on to them. We made it very clear that the future of all these Territories lies in the hands of their people and that is self-determination. If the people of any of these Territories want to remain British, and at the moment they appear to want to do that (and we had really good response from the Territories on the White Paper), then we will cherish that. We will work with them. But if they want to break that relationship… they have the democratic right to do that. So that’s why we are saying that the UN Decolonisation Committee is no longer relevant.
Q: Some people still maintain, Mr. Bellingham, that more power should be devolved to the elected Governments and less for the Governor except in the areas of security and perhaps the Public Service and International Relations. What is the British Government’s view on this particular subject?
A: What we have said is that each Constitution can be different. But, generally speaking, we want more devolution. We want more autonomy. We want Territories to have more control and say over their future…it is quite important to bear in mind that if we are going to give Territories more autonomy; if we are going to combine that with embedding expertise, giving the public servants of those countries the chance to come to the UK for training and up-skilling, in turn we want to see enhanced financial management and good governance, because, ultimately, the UK carries the calf. If the Territory gets into serious financial trouble, as happened in the Turks and Caicos Islands, it is theUKthat actually came to the rescue with a large loan guarantee.
I am really grateful to you for the chance to discuss the White Paper, and I hope your listeners will have the opportunity to read it. I look forward to coming toAnguillain the not-too-distant future…This White Paper is not the final say. It is a work in progress: I hope a signal of the really strong, vibrant relationship betweenBritainandAnguilla.
Thank you very much for inviting me on [Radio Anguilla].
