Dear Mr. Mitchell,
Re: Independence
Let me first thank you for your letter to me of 14 May, which I have read with great interest.
I agree with you that our peoples’ distrust of governors and politicians is so great that they must be protected by including in our next Constitution all of the watchdog in stitutions you recommend. While our older generations of politicians are discredited, I have confidence that a new generation will come who will rise above petty name calling and political intrigue. They are the onesl am depending on to take the government of this island to the next level. Anguilla definitely needs a change in every sense of the word, politically, socially, and culturally, to name a few. We need to strengthen the reins, not tighten them.
In 1969 we were in a plight. We had a mandate granted by referendum to change the government of the Associated State of St Kitts , Nevis and Anguilla to one of an independent republic. The British intervention of that year changed the plans, until we are now back to full colonial status. Over the intervening period of time, that has served a purpose. Now we need to move from youth to adulthood. We have to continue the struggle, for the benefit of the history and people of Anguilla who are still growing up.
Since 1980 we have had no explanation from the British government on what we ought to do from here on. They signed an Order in Council in 1982 between us and them as an agreement, but with only them signin g it. We are now at a st alemate. I want us to move away from that situation, and for us to discuss with an open mind what is needed for our protection and our progress in the future.
Now that we are about to have new election s, it is important that we at least have an idea of wh at is actually needed for us to progress politically. We can remain a dependent territory if we want that. We cannot go back to the old Constitution of 1976 . We have passed that. We do not want the Brit ish to sit and feel that we are not goin g to develop politically. We are ready to open a new chapter. We need to go beyond the 1982 Constitution. It is antiquated’. We need to pick up from where we stopped in 1969. We want to move on from where we are now and where we were before, not stand still.
There must be no doubt about what we want or where we want to go. We have to progress up t he hill. There must be a continuation of the st ruggle, not an acceptance of the status quo. Any new Constitution short of independence must be just a new chapter to get us to where we want to go. I want to make sure that whatever is done, the British Government understands we still rema in the Queen ‘s loyal subject s so long as she wants us. But, we will one day have to decide for ourselves where we go from here. We need a new Constitution that takes us forward. Full political independence is the ultimate aim for a future day.
Yours sincerely,
J Ronald Webster
Cc: HEthe Governor, Ms Christ ina Scott
Hon Hubert Hughes, Chief Minis t er
Mr Victor Banks, Polit ical Leader of t he AUF
Hon McNiel Rogers, Leader of the Opposition
Hon Edison Baird, Independent
Ms Palmavon Webster, Independent
Rev Dr Clifton Niles,
Mr Sutcliffe Hodge
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