Tuesday, 14th April 2015 (North Side, Anguilla) — As we rapidly near the date of Anguilla’s Election Day, I wanted to compose words to inspire voters to vote consciously. Voting for a favoured political party, even if one considers it to be grassroots, or because you benefited from a politician’s favours, is not what anyone ought to do in an election.
Voting consciously
On Wednesday, 22nd April 2015, I encourage all who are registered voters on Anguilla to think carefully before we put our marks in the boxes next to the candidate’s names. We need to cast our ballots and vote for a positive change. Because if we do not, then we will repeat the history of the past, and it will be the ruination of our great nation and what our forefathers and mothers fought so hard for during the Anguilla Revolution of 1967.
We really need to contemplate deeply on who are the most qualified and best-suited candidates to vote for next week on Election Day, and not listen to the empty promises and hullabaloo. If not, we may elect representatives who continue to drag us further towards the complete decline of our people, community, businesses, economy, government and environment.
Campaigning for a positive change
Now, I personally know of one candidate who is campaigning for a positive change. Though I am not yet eligible to vote in the Anguillian elections, I’m certain of which district I would reside in and for whom I would cast my ballot.
Some folks are already aware that I would vote for Ms Palmavon (Pam) J. Webster. This is not merely because I consider Pam to be a part of my adopted family in Island Harbour, but it’s due to the concrete evidence that I have witnessed of her authentic self – and what she has been positively doing for the Anguilla community long before she decided to enter the political arena.
I am acquainted with other candidates running for office. However, I don’t have an intimate knowledge of who they truly are – deep inside their souls – nor am I familiar with everything that they have done throughout the districts of our Caribbean island. Were I as familiar with them as I am with Pam, then I could truthfully speak about them.
Electing qualified representatives
My intention is to encourage voters to vote consciously because we don’t want candidates who do things that aren’t upholding of high standards of ethics, integrity and transparency. For example, we don’t want politicians to interfere with anyone being hired to work, such as the one incumbent candidate whom I internally sense may have been consulted regarding the negotiations I entered into in February 2015 for a new job offer. Nonetheless, I bear this candidate no malice as I know Jah sees all and deals with all matters in this universe.
Perhaps there are other candidates, besides Ms Pam Webster, who God has called to step into these roles, like Mr Statchel Fitz Warner, Mrs Cora Richardson-Hodge, Mr Cardigan Connor and Mrs Kristy Richardson-Harrigan. However, I do not comprehend why candidates like Dr Ellis Lorenzo Webster who is a Medical Doctor, and Rev Dr H Clifton Niles, who is a Minister of religion, would ever want to enter politics. Aren’t their skills best used in the professions of healthcare and religious ministry?
But who is to question them because it’s either The Most High who called them to step into these roles, so they may help guide and re-build our Christian nation or they want to join the political circus for their own personal reasons. Maybe they believe that they can make a difference – yet I really question Dr Webster coming on board since he is from Island Harbour. Why didn’t he support Ms Webster who has more experience suitable for politics? Pam may be new to the scene as a candidate, but she has expertise in the financial services industry which certainly is an important area that our politicians need to be very knowledgeable in.
The other candidates running for office, such as Messrs Victor Banks, Evans McNiel Rogers, Jerome Roberts, Haydn Hughes, Evan Gumbs and Othlyn Vanterpool, who have already been in politics might just want to consider a change in careers. I honestly don’t know why they want to continue to be politicians or the reason that they were or weren’t effective in the political positions they held. I am not one to judge them so I leave that up to The Almighty to do.
Furthermore, why would candidates like Messrs Curtis Richardson, Patrick Hanley, Leonard Kentish, Elkin Richardson and Sutcliffe Hodge want to become part of the political fracas? I even query why Mrs Evalie Bradley wishes to participate when she is at or near retirement age. But each candidate has her or his own reasoning for going into or continuing in this political arena.
Questioning the voters
A question that we might want to ask ourselves, as voters, is: “Shouldn’t we be looking for politicians who are younger, more open minded in thinking of viable solutions to our challenges, and very hip to what’s going on in the community as well as with the youthful generations who will ultimately take control of our nation’s affairs?” This is just one of the questions, posed in this opinion-editorial for the voting public, which may stir persons to think about who they are voting for when they cast their ballots next week on Wednesday – at the polling stations between the hours of 6:00 am and 7:00 pm.
We really need to have elected representatives who will be able to effectively sort out such leading matters as immigration and labour reform, building the tourism and fishing industries, creating jobs and employment opportunities, overhauling the educational system to give greater advantages to the youths, just to name a few of the areas that we need to focus attention on improving. We must say prayers for the safe passage of all the political candidates – and that the most consciously awakened, qualified persons become Elected Representatives of the People. And hold them responsible when they serve in their political posts.
The people’s representatives must be accountable to the voters who elected them. It is our human rights to ensure they do whatever is in the best interests of the citizens and residents of this country and that they help us to create sustainable development benefiting everyone. We also need to pray that God has mercy on us so that the enemy doesn’t come against us installing candidates who prefer to line their pockets with financial rewards than to give back in public service.
And to all of us, we must remember that we reap whatever we sow. Each one of us can campaign for positive reforms in our elected government. We can be the instruments of change that we envision ourselves to be, doing whatever we can to move our organisations and nation forward. May The Most High’s divine grace continue to bless all of our lives and direct us in voting consciously! And may God bless Anguilla too!
Kay M. Ferguson is a free-spirited writer who composes word sounds to inspire and uplift humanity. She is passionate about sharing her contemplations on various subjects to raise conscious awareness in the Anguilla community and globally. To link with Kay, send an email to anguillawriter@gmail.com or “i-nect” via social media at www.facebook.com/kaymferguson.
