The recent constitutional negotiations, which paid some attention to the Governor’s powers, bring into focus the issue of independence for Anguilla. It is increasingly apparent that it is undemocratic for an unelected official to wield authority that can stymie the policy decisions of elected officials – and ultimately the implementation of those policy decisions. The answer to this unfortunate situation, however, cannot be an unprepared gallop into independence. There is, however, an immediate need to begin the process of preparing for Anguilla’s inevitable journey to independence.
That journey requires that we carefully consider what is required from a social, economic, political and constitutional perspective to ensure that Anguilla is able to achieve, and maintain, sustainable development on the path to and following independence. It is obvious that we must build an economy capable of providing and maintaining essential physical infrastructure. This involves acting now to devise and implement policies which will ensure that the current public sector buildings, under construction, will be adequately resourced and maintained after completion.
We need to continue to actively build on the social framework required to sustain and facilitate our people’s needs and aspirations. Despite our inclination to complain about Anguilla’s perceived shortcomings, a clinical evaluation of our social structures will demonstrate a support system that is intended to nurture, facilitate and protect young persons, the elderly and the labour force.
Our pursuit of independence requires that we pursue and establish the highest democratic ideals. Anguilla’s journey to independence will require the establishment of a political and administrative system that squarely places authority for policy decisions in the hands of elected officials. Such a political and administrative system must be supported by establishing and maintaining good governance principles addressing integrity, transparency, accountability and public engagement in policy development. During the ongoing Constitutional negotiations it is expected that we will see the inclusion of provisions, in our Constitution, intended to secure these ideals, which are vital to the achievement of sustainable independence for Anguilla.
There is a psychological component to the attainment of sustainable independence. The entire populace of Anguilla has a role to play in this respect, as Anguilla’s successful achievement of independence requires the active involvement of the general populace. We must all strive to effectively rationalise and communicate without being consumed with our own personal needs and desires, to the exclusion of all others. This requires a willingness on each person’s part to consider the collective good – and to support decisions that are most likely to achieve the collective good. Such a psychological state is required, if we are to successfully consider and implement sustainable tax measures to adequately support Anguilla’s infrastructural and social development.
The general understanding is that independence for Anguilla can be easily attained by simply advising the United Kingdom Government that Anguilla desires to go independent, and providing evidence that the expressed desire has popular support. We must not, however, lose sight of the fact that the attainment of independence without adequate preparation is likely to bring about undesirable results. The achievement of sustainable independence can only be achieved through adequate preparation.
Is Anguilla’s journey to the successful achievement of independence being contemplated by persons vying for elected office? As the political campaign intensifies will political candidates share their views on the vital issue of independence for Anguilla?
