Chief Minister, ladies and gentlemen, good morning. It is a pleasure to join again in celebrating Anguilla Day, a chance to remember those who played a role in the revolution – and reflect on what we can learn from them.
We all overestimate our ability to control events. Life sets us – individually and collectively – many challenges. Whilst we cannot control events, we can always decide how we react to them.
We can control our attitude. The attribute which describes our ability to control our reactions has a simple name: it is, of course, resilience.
How resilient we are in bouncing back from disaster, or simply from life’s everyday tests, is key to our sense of ourselves as individuals – and as a nation. In the past two years I have seen many examples of Anguillians responding to a personal challenge, ill-health, financial worry or loss.
Every time I am struck by their willingness to bear their load with good humour, optimism and faith.
Our communities are resilient too – reaching out through friend and family networks to weather life’s storms. I see this in the support of food banks, the comforting of the bereaved, the lending a hand. But also this year in the bigger tests – the way communities have united after senseless violence, or supported one another after Hurricane Gonzalo.
Resilience may not come naturally, and it certainly does not come easily. It is often earned through very hard times. But today Anguilla is resilient as a nation and as a collection of individuals and communities.
But a country demonstrates strength not just through its resilience, but through its vision. Forty eight years ago, there were those who had a vision for Anguilla. They had a plan for how the nation might look. Their vision was hard fought and hard won.
On Anguilla Day we celebrate not just those heroes from the revolution, who shaped Anguilla. We recognise also honourees who more recently have led change, to improve their communities and tackle prejudice. We should also not forget that in every community there are those that work to build a stronger Anguilla – without fuss, often without help, and without seeking recognition. They are ‘everyday heroes’, who stand on the shoulders of the Revolution’s heroes, and work to shape a society in which all of Anguilla can be proud. If you are one of those heroes, then I thank you.
So it must be right that Anguilla will always have a vision. That vision will be outward looking – but it must always try to carry the whole community with it. It should accept that difficult choices may have to be made. It should recognise that we are at our strongest when we uphold the rights and equality of all, and protect the weakest.
So I feel privileged to celebrate with you all today your history, your resilience and your vision.
I look forward to working with all of Anguilla in this forty ninth year of the nation’s development.
I congratulate the new Government on their appointment. They have promised to work with commitment, passion and purpose to grow the economy, raise living standards, and provide better care for the most vulnerable. They will face significant challenges and have difficult decisions to take on behalf of all of us who call Anguilla home.
Just as the leaders of the revolution found 48 years ago, today’s leaders will need the support and input from every part of society. They will need greater public participation in governing Anguilla and in determining its policies. They will need the energies of everyday heroes. Only in this way will we see an economically resilient Anguilla, protecting its environment and the freedoms of its people, and standing firm through every age.
So let me end simply by thanking today’s organisers, and the uniformed organisations and dancers for arranging such an impressive display. Particularly the younger participants; you can be very proud of your efforts and teamwork.
May God bless us all, and may God bless Anguilla. Thank you.
