Understanding the dynamics of progress on Anguilla seems to evade some, especially those trapped in a conflict of their very own generational past – or trapped in entrenched political bias. Generally speaking, history had been brutal to Anguilla. The Revolution of 1967 brought us through a fierce battle and the great Ronald Webster stood for the making of this country. The name Atlin Harrigan, most prominent among a long list of others, also stood with Webster at all cost.
The year 1994, was a historic year with the formation of the Government of Hubert Hughes and Victor Banks. It ignited real economic growth for Anguilla, and brought new economic prospects to the island. Hubert Hughes was the Honorable Chief Minister, and Victor the Honorable Minister of Finance. Together, they were determined to undo the brutal past we lived with for generations. They brought growth of a different dimension to Anguilla. The “Transshipment Deal,” broadly spoken of between Anguilla and Europe, came under this government and brought real money to the Treasury, not by taxation or internal revenue collection, but by real economic prospects, shifting our economic focus. And this is when the island transition to well paved roads – a first experience on the island.
That government lasted its full term, but could not retain a second formation, and quickly collapsed. Here is when “The Anguilla United Front” emerged on the political stage and continued the trend of real economic growth for the island. This period of government changed the face of Anguilla, making the island a prominent contender for national progress. The first five years saw a solid foundation laid, and all eyes were stuck on the young Victor Banks, leader of his own Anguilla Democratic Party, now the reputable and articulate Finance Minister. The then Honorable Chief Minister was Osborne Fleming, and the Honorable Hubert Hughes was in Opposition. Two years in, the Honorable Finance Minister announced to the world: “Anguilla is open for Business.” Those words reverberated around the world and we saw a massive influx of major projects to both the East and West Ends of the island. High demands were made on Government, not to accommodate the full scope of investment opportunities to the island. This caused a major hotel project for Junks Hole to be put on hold, while Flags and Viceroy projects took off in full motion. A number of smaller projects, by local investors also got off the ground – investing in high quality villa projects – and just about every Anguillian with property and resource possibilities investing in apartment and home construction. Prior to this time, apartment complexes were not part of our economic platform. The island had momentum and a real spark of economic progress, the first ever experienced in our lifetime. “That was the “Boom.” and the making of the Country!” This was the new Anguilla.
This time in our history should have been the most notable era in the advancement of the people of Anguilla. There is no doubt the island expanded in economic growth and experienced tremendous change overall, but the consequential collapse of that momentum triggered by the meltdown of world financial markets, and the success we were experiencing as a country. It shattered our prospects and we in turn saw the collapse of our two major indigenous banks. We still live with this experience today. All of our major projects came to a screeching halt and great dreams were shattered. Today, the island is still in recovery since 2008.
The lingering impact of that period has caused an enormous divide among the people of Anguilla – some blaming the AUF government for everything that went wrong, while others declaring the AUF Government did everything right in the making of a new country, with new prospects in economic advancement and economic progress. The AUF , however, was defeated in the election of 2010 quickly after, and Victor Banks lost his bid, to the newcomer Evan Gumbs. Overall, the Anguilla United Movement (AUM) headed by Hubert Hughes, was elected to office for the period 2010 – 2015. The Hughes Government struggled with perspective and a governing programme for prosperity, but failed. And the people of Anguilla are unforgiving. The people refused to re-elect AUM in 2015 and returned the AUF to office, rewarding Victor Banks, who became the Honorable Chief Minister for the first time in his long political history, then went on to become Anguilla’s first Premier through a constitutional review during his term. The AUF stands for “Economic Strength and Prosperity for all of Anguilla” claiming it has accomplished its goal in resolving the island’s national banking crisis and initiating a process of rebuilding an entire new social structure for the island after Hurricane Irma, which caused significant damage to the island’s social infrastructure and school systems. New schools are being built throughout the island thereby modernizing educational facilities for several generations ahead. The Anguilla Progressive Movement (APM), standing for “Social justice and Change Now!” is endeavoring to build on the legacy of the Father of the Nation, Ronald James Webster, hoping to stimulate that momentous win at the polls this time, saying “Change Can’t Wait!”
The AUF wants to build on the prosperity pioneered since 2008. Victor Banks states; “Now that there is great economic momentum on the island, Anguilla cannot afford to change anything.” “The last time change came in 2010-2015, the AUM set the country back.” “We cannot afford any retrenchment.”
The two major parties appear to be entrenched, ideologically, while a number of independent candidates are also standing for election. The APM seems to indicate that AUF lacks empathy for the social requirements of the people, while the AUF platform seem to be saying, the APM lacks the competence to deliver a strong economy to deliver social change and justice for all the people of Anguilla. It is time to vote, Anguilla – June 29 ‘2020. Let our voices be heard loud and clear for “The making of The Country!”
Elliot J. Harrigan……..
