Obviously there is more to it than that – both from the temporal and spiritual objective. It is not just the man. It is the man and his thoughts that distinguish him from the rest. Now that voters are about to look at tenders for representation contracts very soon — we have to begin to think about the qualifications of those who are offering their services. Selecting those who can fill the terms of the contract will hopefully involve better scrutiny of the tenders this time around. This year’s requirements could be different because of what happened the last time around. This time chances are there will be newer and more professional bidders in the competition. And not only that — this time around events will be driven by a different climate of opinion. People are beginning to see the light and want to right the wrongs.
Generally speaking, potential bidders are themselves concerned with “caliber”. Opinions are changing mainly because of “other islands” intercourse; more and more returnees; more tertiary graduates; outward travel; and the demonstration effect. The combined effect of these happenings has slowly begun to open the eyes of many Anguillians and has caused them to see clearer, politically. They also realize that the ”cuss you; cuss your mother; and cuss everybody else” approach is stale and actually a retardant when in fact what we need is a political stimulant. We want to get out of this political quagmire. Campaigning is not a time for cussing. It is a time for meaningfully presenting real issues that affect the public.
So now, some see the correction, and perhaps the real solution, is in what they refer to as ”nation building”. In their arguments they seem to say that they are concerned with the organization and rationalization of behavior in the political superstructure. But where do we begin to change it? For them, we should start with the quality of representation. They say this is a necessary project that has to be done in a political milieu where some are comfortable with the old, while others are afraid of the new and therefore must be coaxed into it. It is probably the right idea and stance to adopt even more so when you consider the “booboo” performances displayed in the House recently. These run-away ramblings showcase the impotence of the poor representation in the present House of Assembly. Therefore it is a necessary discussion for Anguillians to engage in. What is the importance of a representative in “nation building”, and for future development?
The revolution ended the period of malcontent and it has now been replaced with a climate of political negativism that has now come to mean lower or absence of standards. With this has emerged the thought that there is no need for decency or other basic qualities of civility. What is required now is to have been born here and have the ability to cuss. But that limited qualification is not good enough for building a modern nation. The Anguilla United Front (AUF) believes that this is not all there is, and is prepared to blaze a new and better trail.
So what is behind the idea of representative government? Historically, it appears that it grew out of necessity and convenience. Indeed, in the early days of the Greek polis they recognized the impracticality of each person putting forward his or her own point of view at one time and one place. In England, since the signing of Magna Carta, the drive for the input of peers began and has ultimately developed into the Westminster Model which we have inherited and espoused. The principal feature of the model is representative parliamentary democracy. Granted an Anguillian is not an Englishman, yet this model has been followed. All over the world the problem is how best to work it and get the most and best from using it. For some reason, even during pre-revolutionary period of malcontent, we had a greater interest in the capabilities of our representatives. Now, in the post-revolutionary era, we seem to have developed a culture of political negativism and couldn’t care less about the quality of representation which is a problem for nation building. We seem to have forgotten the real purpose of a representative and have now come to accept the view that anyone can be a representative. Unfortunately, out of this social milieu, people who are now seeking to become representatives are publicly promoting the backward view that, in order to function as an elected representative in Anguilla, a good education is not necessary. We will get nowhere if we continue to miss the importance of good representation. Therefore at this election it cannot be business as usual. For whom and why you cast your vote, in the manner you do, must be considered in the light of what you want for Anguilla. As they say, ”you can’t get blood from stone”. Likewise, to elect a representative with nothing to offer will result in receiving nothing.
The old unchallenged statement of ”I am squeaky clean” brings nothing. It is a confirmation of empty rhetoric and a lack of capability for thoughtful and progressive action. It is a blatant example of what we don’t want anymore. And we know better. So, as they say, “we have to go back to the future”. As far back as you may go you will find that the emphasis has always been on selecting from among the best – and that demanded qualities of intelligence; political substance relative to the needs of the period; a little learning ability to respect the ideas of others; sensitivity to understanding Anguilla’s position in the scheme of things; and, above all, being a person of integrity. Lately, however, many of us have been sidetracked by “Haydn’s law” of the non-necessity for such attributes. But because we want to modernize and improve our effectiveness in this age of the computer; facebook; and twitter — political bidders must recognize the need for such qualifications, and further add greater emphasis on education as an aid in shaping the representative that is needed in these times. Now in these days being a good cusser is not all there is. As a matter of fact, Anguilla has one of the best “cussers” one can find. But what good has that done for us?
That political culture has proven to be stagnant, moribund and banal. So forward-looking people are now saying that they do not want that type of operation. They want to go back to basics. This is where the AUF comes in as the best bidder. Because it has put together a cohesive party that puts Anguilla first, and solidarity foremost, in the effort to build the nation that was on the minds of the people who pushed for separation from the central government of 1967. However, for this to happen we have to elect people who have what it takes to best represent the image we have of Anguilla’s future.
But what this crowd is presenting is not what we want. And the way they are going about it, we will never be able to build the nation we would like to have. Their tender is the one that needs to be torn up. Fellow voters it is time to ask yourself a question: How come the BVI, Cayman Islands, Turks ad Caicos – Overseas Territories just like us – are getting massive investment projects, and Anguilla is stuck down in the basement? Well I put it to you: if you change the government ”then ya gon see”! They are many who are despairing and saying our situation mussa chronic by now. C’mon man, there is more to us than that. We can get what we hope for — if we select the right contractor.
