The first and most important job of a politician is to listen to the people and understand their issues and problems. Most politicians like to talk and to expound their views to the electorate. However, instead of talking points, what if they had listening points? What would it be like if they asked for input on issues rather than tried to sell their platform? Why is this such a foreign concept to the powers that be? After all, Government by the people is effective precisely because it is the people, not the politicians, who best understand their own problems.
This longstanding democratic principle of Government by the People and for the People has been trivialized in the worst way by this administration. It is a fallacy to equate this administration’s dictatorial approach to governance with the majority vote they received from the electorate in 2015. There is no justification for the high handed, authoritarian characteristics displayed by members and ministers of this current administration. From those to whom much is given, much is required. Sadly, in this case, the lack of transparency and accountability are the new order of the day, and we, the people, must once more raise our voices even louder in protest and in defence of our vulnerable democracy. As we all know, democracy does not exist in a vacuum; it is reliant on a people who are informed, vocal and vigilant.
Citizens of this country have a right to express their views and opinions on a wide range of issues that are of critical importance to them, their families and their communities. The Freedom of Expression guaranteed by the Constitution affords all Anguillian the opportunity and right to let their voices be heard, whether this be in everyday conversation, participation in talk radio, writing letters in the newspapers or sharing their thoughts openly on social media platforms.
Many of our people experience hardship on a daily basis. Doctors, nurses and patients encounter problems within our healthcare system. Teachers, parents and students experience problems in the education system. Our young people face a multitude of social problems and also have creative and innovative ideas to address them. Who better than the people with the firsthand experience to identify the issues and offer solutions?
As politicians we should therefore be slow to speak and quick to listen to the concerns of the people, ever mindful that they are our employers and that we are accountable to them. Yet, this disdain for the people of this country, who choose to exercise their right freely and openly to criticize the actions of their employees (the elected representatives), is very dangerous and a threat to the democratic ideals we espouse. A crafty attempt to villainise all voices of criticism and dissent in relation to the current administration will not go unnoticed. And in my position, as Leader of the Opposition, it is my duty to sound the alarm that such practices are undemocratic and should not be tolerated. This current positionality and attitude of the government as “we know best” is exemplified perfectly and consistently in how the Constitutional Reform process has been administered.
Our Chief Minister has promised Lord Ahmad, Minister for the Overseas Territories, and the British Government, that his government will follow through with the full recommendations of the Committee on Constitutional and Electoral Reform. No doubt this undertaking was extracted from the Chief Minister as an assurance that the recommendations which were cherry picked, and comprised in the Order in Council dated 10th April 2019, would not be applied in a vacuum contrary to international standards. In the first meeting of the Select Committee, set up to review Constitutional Reform, in mid-April of this year, he and his fellow members of the Government demonstrated a deafness to any opinions or suggestions that dissented from their own preconceived views, and declined proposals for a systematic and thorough process that would lead to changes to serve the best interests of all the people of Anguilla. Furthermore, it is said that “the primary business for the Committee at this the upcoming meeting will be to review a first draft of the House Committee Report of its findings, which will be forwarded to all on the 2nd May”. As of the morning of 14th May, with the meeting due to take place in two days’ time, no such draft report has been forthcoming. In addition to this, we remember that the Constitutional Review Committee’s Final Report, submitted to the Executive Council, sat idle during 2017 and 2018, yet those responsible for the holistic implementation of the recommendations of that committee (which reflects the will of the people through extensive consultations) now bestow praise upon themselves for fast tracking a piecemeal document designed to advance their mission of self-preservation at our next journey to the polls in 2020.
I urge all Anguillians to participate fully in the public consultations on the draft Elections Act. I know of several persons who have questions surrounding the powers of the governor to regulate elements of the Act, such as campaign financing; the timespan needed to properly educate the voters on the new electoral system in accordance with electoral standards established by internationally recognized bodies; or even opening a discussion on the importance of re-enumeration to provide a clean and transparent voters list for a new system of voting. All these are important points for discussion and debate. It is only through this medium that the people will be fully satisfied that the journey to a new constitution, including a new Elections Act, has been a fair and transparent one. This is our Constitution and our voices need to be heard loud and clear – and we need to be understood.
Participation is key to the strength of any democracy. I am encouraged by the voices of our people, particularly our youth, who, in the face of mounting oppression by this administration, continue to speak out on the issues that concern all of us; offering solutions and demanding good governance.
I, Pam Webster, am here and I pledge to listen to you always.
