My People!
I attended the funeral today of my friend and very early schoolmate George “Giggy” Brooks and I was once again captivated by one of my favorite Anglican hymns written more than two hundred years ago by poet Mr. Joseph Addison. I also learnt today that it was one of Giggy’s favorite hymns as well. May his soul rest in eternal peace!!!
And as we sang the hymn this particular verse touched me as a reflection of my own journey and service in active politics, which began when I was in my youthful thirties:
“When in the slippery paths of youth
With heedless steps I ran,
Thine arm unseen conveyed me safe
And led me up to man”.
I have indeed been conveyed safely through my political career despite the many detractors and character assassins that have targeted my path from the exuberance and often naivety of youth — to the experience and wisdom of time.
I am indeed blessed and privileged to be here today almost forty years later leading our party the Anguilla United Front into an election campaign seeking your approval to return us to continue the work we so ably began and must now carry on for the betterment of all Anguillans at home and abroad.
We firmly believe that “one good term deserves another” and with an expanded House of Assembly opening up opportunities for more persons to participate in the political process — you the people will have more channels for your voices to be heard.
The 2015 elections was a hard fought contest, and at the end of it, you the People of Anguilla spoke — and entrusted us with a mandate to lead our country in the direction we articulated in our campaign and outlined in our Manifesto. We are today seeking that support for another five years.
We believe that despite the very challenging times of the past four and a half years, we have indeed made a positive difference in Anguilla and in the lives of Anguilla people. And we will over the months to come continue to make that positive difference.
Anguilla is now on the launch path to even greater things that will lead to an even better standard of living and improved life situations overall. And despite all the negativity, the reality is Anguilla is a better place since 2015. Because while others talk — We of the AUF Government deliver!
A new political season is upon us. While the elections are not constitutionally due until the second quarter of 2020, we have already begun to see the emergence of possible candidates for the upcoming elections.
I am both happy and proud of this development that a number of young persons are now offering themselves for elected office. This is a direct result of the stand taken by our government, to change the constitution to include at large voting and other consequential reforms.
You will recall, that the introduction of seats at-large or island wide seats is something that was strongly opposed by many opposition groupings.
Our party felt strongly that given the real possibility that these electoral changes would not be in time for the upcoming election that we should find a way to make that happen — and we are very happy that we did.
Today the field is open up for a new set of candidates, including persons who may have been disqualified because of nationality restrictions.
I want to encourage the young candidates, to use this campaign to change the culture of politics as it now exists in Anguilla. Which seems to be characterized by hate and anger. And change to one of love and mutual respect.
The practice of verbal abuse and slander must be denounced — and it should be replaced by the practice of uplifting each other and the advancement of all our people.
Staying on the topic of youth, I want to make an appeal to all eligible persons and in particular young people, to please register to vote. Furthermore, on Election Day I want to encourage young people to go out in your numbers to exercise your right to vote for the candidates of your choice.
The AUF will continue transitioning to new and younger candidates, which we started in 2005. For 2020 elections the AUF slate will be a team of men and women, with a balanced mix of youth, experience and innovation.
In 2005 when rookie Evans Mcniel Rogers joined team AUF he learnt from the experience of Osbourne Fleming, Kenneth Harrigan, Albert Hughes and myself.
In 2005, my colleagues Cora, Evalie, Curtis, Cardigan, gained from the experience of Mcniel and myself.
I myself, when I entered government benefited from the experience of the father of the Nation, The Hon James Ronald Webster.
In this 2020 Elections, the AUF new candidates: Jose’, Oris, Mark and Lockhart will all gain from the experience of the Cora, Curtis, Cardigan, Evalie and so on.
Team AUF is one of youth, experience and innovative leadership. WE are united, stable, diverse and, optimistic about Anguilla’s future. Over the next few months Team AUF will be approaching you asking for your support.
In doing so we will let you know about our time in Government 2015 until now.
You will hear about our challenges and achievements.
We will also speak with you about our plans for the future.
We will not only list what we hope to achieve, but we will speak with you about what is to be achieved, why it is important, how it is to be achieved — and when.
In deciding what we wish to achieve we would be looking to you for ideas and suggestions. If we truly put our differences aside, together we can agree on what is best for Anguilla.
Fellow Anguillians, I mentioned earlier about the culture of our politics and the need for it to be changed.
While a lot depends on the new candidates to make this change, by NOT adopting what now exists, Team AUF intends to run a clean campaign, void of character assassinations and full of truth and facts.
We will be focusing on the issues and things that matter for nation building. We as a team will do our part to rid Anguilla of the anger and hate that now have found its way in our society.
I continue to get reports of what is being said by our detractors on broadcast and social media and to be quite honest I cannot understand how they can fix their faces to say that nothing is happening in Anguilla — many of the comments they make could only come from persons who are either legally blind; legally deaf; legally ignorant; criminally wilful!
We took on the banking sector — we fixing it!
We took on Cap Juluca — we fix it!
We took on water — we fixing it!
We took on Labour laws — we fixing them!
We took on the AirPort Services and buildings — we fixing them!
We took on Constitution — we fixing it!
We took on Legislation — we fixing it!
We took on Hurricane Irma — we fixing it!
• Schools
• Hospitals/clinics
• Ports and terminals
• Government Buildings
We took on foreign direct investment — we fixing it!
We took on Government Accommodations — we fixing that!
We took on the economy — we fixing it!
So while they are talking loosely as a result of being blind; deaf; ignorant; or willful we are delivering on our promises to you the people of Anguilla in a big way.
I want you to help me with two last things:
They Talk! We deliver!
Anguilla! Onward! United!
