My People,
As we approach the Fiftieth Anniversary of the our Revolution I cannot help but marvel at how quickly the years have sped along. Indeed to put it in perspective there are Anguillans who are now grandparents who were not even born in 1967 — and very likely many great grandparents as well who were too young to remember anything about that historic era.
It is in this context, that those of us who have lived during that period of uncertainty and apprehension, must take on the responsibility to keep the vision of that period refreshed and uppermost in the minds of all Anguillans of all ages and all walks of life.
The cementing force of that period was the resolve of the leadership to stay the course of freedom and opportunity. There were many brave and determined men and women at the forefront of that cause — but it is the Honourable James Ronald Webster, the first Chief Minister, and the universally accepted Father of the Nation, who stands out for his contribution to that noble enterprise.
In his typical humility he asked a few years ago that we do not make a big fuss about this day that has been dedicated to his honour. But even as we recognize that wish it is important to the furtherance of nation building that we never waste any opportunity afforded by a milestone to bring attention to the positive aspects of our times.
The occasion at this juncture is of course the 90th birthday of this icon of our revolutionary and political history. We are both privileged and blessed to have him with us at this time. May God continue to bless Mr. Webster, “the Father of the Nation” as he celebrates this milestone in his life’s journey!
Mr. Webster is no longer in active politics but his contribution has been of great significance to where we are today as a people. And even though the last time he held elective office was in 1984 — his influence on our island’s politics will always remain. In fact the entire political development of Anguilla is centered around persons who have worked with him at some time in their lives — and as evidence to that fact — every single Chief Minister in Anguilla’s history, including myself, has worked with him in some capacity. That fact, in and of itself, is an important commentary on his service. Whether one is for him or against him, he was the central figure in the shaping our path to nationhood.
As important as the Revolution itself was Mr. Webster’s vision for the Anguilla Social Security System. Despite the many detractors of the period he confronted them with a strong resolve confident that he was doing something that was beyond politics. It was about justice and security of present and future generations of Anguillans. Today the Anguilla Social Security System stands as a monument to that vision and the quality of leadership that has made it the singular most important institution for Anguilla’s social and economic development.
The strength of Mr. Webster’s campaign for self-determination was in the existence of a community united in its quest to make Anguilla a nation proud, strong and free. The overwhelming support for his vision from Anguillans all over the world was the foundation upon which the success of the Revolution was constructed. And the difference of opinion among the leadership from time to time also helped to fine tune the process. The strong individual views within the leadership groups was important to temper the exuberance of the more radical elements of the period and bring the focus back on the creating a stable society for the future.
Today Anguilla is still searching for self-determination. In this new world where the focus is on global stability and security, the notion of being independent is relative. No country great or small can survive without relationships of one kind or another with regional or international groupings and sometimes even colonial relationships.
I just today returned from Europe and the United Kingdom where discussions and negotiations about our future and the future of our sister Overseas Territories were held. It is imperative in this period that whatever we do we must recognize that the source of our strength is in being united in the pursuit of our common goals and aspirations. Unfortunately very often those goals and aspirations come in conflict the several agendas of the very nations and groups of nations from whom we seek support.
This is the dilemma of small fish in a large pond. It requires that we must oftentimes be more accommodating than our pride and dignity may dictate. We may be called upon to become second-class states just to ensure that our people survive. Mr. Webster and his colleagues had to retreat from a Unilateral Declaration of Independence and opt for a more direct relationship with the UK — just to secure a better future for their people.
At the end of the day leaders must make decisions on the greater good rather than the individual concerns of some persons or groups within the community. Mr. Webster led as all leaders must lead. It was his resolve to pursue the greater good as he envisioned it — that led to the success of the Revolution and the implementation of the Social Security System among other achievements.
So today I am privileged on behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla to wish Mr. Webster, the Father of our Nation, a Blessed and Enjoyable Birthday. I also thank his wife, Cleopatra and his family for providing him the care and support required at this time — and to thank him yet another time for his outstanding leadership and service to the people of this our homeland, Anguilla. Happy Birthday, Mr. Webster!!!
May God Bless You and may God Bless Anguilla.
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
