Every New Year is a time of hope – hope for new beginnings.
In my mid-December article I said: “The New Year will give us all the opportunity to revive proper leadership in this land; to build on a people’s yearning for unity and bi-partisanship”.
While what is done is done and we have had to live with the consequences of electing, in 2015, a government that won a majority of six members to only one in opposition, we are now in the final stretch of that government’s mandate, with the next election due in the first half of 2020 at latest. It is therefore time to “gird our loins” for a new approach to the future of our beloved Anguilla.
The next election will not be the first time that Anguilla has been disappointed (and this time devastated) by the performance of the government it elected last time round. Which leads one to ask why, in heavens name, we seem to make the same mistake over and over and over again?
In recent elections the response to bad government has been to elect the “other” of the two main parties. There has been scarcely no viable alternative. This has been achieved firstly by tribal (and in some cases less honourably motivated) loyalty. Secondly, the floating votes – those who effectively cause the switch in government – have had little choice but to vote the most recent failed government out of office with only one viable alternative available.
This time every one of us must bear our share of responsibility for the future success or failure of Anguilla. We must cast off tribal loyalties and vote for the candidate who we truly believe will, if part of government, bring Anguilla to a better place. In order to achieve the desired result, Anguilla needs persons to stand as candidates who not only have ability and are honest, but who genuinely put the interests of the people above their own personal interests.
I am already seeing this process develop, and I am greatly encouraged. There are only fifteen or sixteen months at most to go before the next election is constitutionally due, so time is of the essence. I therefore strongly encourage anyone who genuinely cares about Anguilla and our children’s future, and are willing to commit themselves to the task, to contact me. It will not be an easy task, because the legacy the present government will leave, with a massive debt burden for the people to bear, will be daunting, but the most worthwhile objectives in life are seldom easy.
So once again I emphasise that the future of Anguilla and the welfare of all its people are every Anguillian’s responsibility. Those of you who have the integrity and ability to lead owe your country an obligation to step up to the plate in whatever role you can most effectively contribute. But all of you, whether involved or not so far, can contribute by recognising that a sea change is needed in the pattern of Anguilla’s electoral see-saw, which has produced such disastrous results.
Henry Ford once said: “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”
My best wishes and hopes for each and every one of you for a successful and transformational New Year.
