The Editor, The Anguillian
Dear Sir:
Election time is approaching and candidates are working diligently to persuade the voting public to vote for him or her. However, there are some questions/areas which the Election Organizers or one of the hopeful candidates could explain to voters.
1. It is difficult to understand why persons who do not live here in Anguilla should be eligible to vote in our election. Dropping in for Election Day – casting a vote for friends or family and hopping back to wherever you came from – is definitely not helpful to Anguillians struggling here at home. How do you know if I can feed my child after election day and rather, why you should care? Your job ‘back there’ is safe and secure! Stay away.
2. Is there some way that a ‘term limit’ or some such term can be imposed on a particular party leader? It seems the same person may serve forever, as long as he/she is ‘duly elected’ again and again. Some of these persons hang on for upwards of twenty years. These islands are too small for this kind of strangulation. (Of course, no incumbent would ever introduce that idea, it must come from smart thinking, enlightened people). Hence, develops the “father” mentality. Over the years there have been “Papa” Bradshaw in St. Kitts, “Papa” Doc in Haiti, followed by “Baby” Doc. Although our present Chief Minister said once “we are not a monarchy”, Anguilla seems to want to follow in these steps. The situation is demeaning. Surely, with all our education and forward thinking we have passed beyond that kind of mental slavery in development for our people and countries? The dominating desire of aspiring candidates seems to be easy money for those in charge.
3. Worst of all, is the way some of the electorate are treated. For example, when a member of ‘Seaside’ party wins his seat and almost immediately switches over to ‘Sunshine’ party, (again, where the money is) what happens to MY vote and the votes of all the others who campaigned for him and voted for him? All our votes have been negated and our time wasted! We have also lost five years of hope for change. If a winner wants to switch his allegiance to another party, the only fair way to do this is to cancel the election in that area and call a by-election. Also, since the ‘vote ‘ is all the people have to work with, this may constitute a criminal offence of some sort. Please, somebody work on this one!
Voters are simply too passive – wringing your hands and grumbling will not work!
Thank you: Confused voter (or not)
