There is a very CONSCIOUS methodology that is trending in the governance of the island. What appears to be a deliberately quiet but fundamental shift in the art of governing is taking place. The island is currently experiencing a very gradual transition from the usual low level un-academic practical governing and is being transitioned BEYOND THE MARGINS to Intellectual Governance.
The island is now moving beyond the margins of primitive administration and is being positioned for a new generation of Academic leadership; thanks to the Honorable Victor Banks and his Government. In the quiet but deliberate transition, the usual critics of Victor Banks are again confused and very limited in their understanding of the reality, failing to zone in on the practical transformation to some degree as a high level diplomatic state by the way business is being done under the leadership of Victor Banks.
The model of Governance began when the government was forced to tackle the difficult task of fixing the banking situation of the indigenous banks; the very high degree of conversations, consultations and deliberations with the major institutions of the region and internationally, all weighing in on a resolution and solution to our banking crisis. The matter was handled with spectacular articulation and precision, making the resolution acceptable by world standards. To this point there has been no disapproval or repercussion to any of the processes that have successfully made the transition. Moreover, there is constant diplomatic consultation and deliberation on matters pertaining to the island, done with a very high degree of professionalism in confidentiality and high level business conduct. To date we know of no public quarrels between the British Government and Anguilla, as was the usual tendency of former governments. Victor Banks seems to have a level headed approach even to unpleasant matters, with an appetite to handle business with a great degree of eloquence and articulacy and not for popular sentiment, putting the island in a better diplomatic position to do business on international levels.
Doing business with the British was one way our governments of the past would get on popular public radio for the purpose of grandstanding for the national audience, ranting and shouting down the British with insults and antagonistic language, while coming back to the island with empty hands. The obvious intolerant behaviour is now a thing of the past substituted by high level respectful dialogue in the interest of the country. The past is now replaced with intellectual governance, raising the level of conversation and communication to international standard. In general the business of the country, instead of being discussed on the edge of a public bar over a beer or a domino table, is now deliberated in an organized media setting where any aspect of government’s business can be questioned and answers given. Business partners of the island and potential investors are met with proper accommodation and facilitated in practical forms of business congeniality. Business of government is handled with great articulation and fed to the public at careful juncture of necessity.
These elevated standards in governance are posing some difficulty for some of our people and even those of past governments who have not grasped the modern transition. Some of our people feel that they are missing something by the information not being brought to them in the usual conversations on street corners or backyard talk, or the usual talk-down talk shows on radio outlets. A society in transition, our people must now adapt quickly and grasp the weekly paper or be tune in to genuine news and media outlets to be informed accurately. The level headed communication methods between the British Government and the Government of Anguilla ln matters of high intensity must be commended; like the banking crisis we faced and our rebuilding process from the ravages of Hurricane Irma. In spite of loaded rhetoric from FCO officials Victor Banks intelligently responds with a high degree of integrity, making business between the main land and our small island transparent and highly intelligent. So far this approach has brought respect to how government should function in any circumstance. To date we have had no case of disrespect, confusion or chaos reported in the very difficult handling of the island’s affairs……… To be continued in part 2.
Truth is Absolute…………….
– Contributed
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)