Serving the people of Island Harbour as their Elected Representative from 2015-2020 has been an honour and privilege. I am forever grateful to the people of District One for having afforded me that opportunity to serve and to represent their needs in the Anguilla House of Assembly. Being an Elected Representative is no easy feat and requires commitment and sacrifice. This is even more difficult as an Elected Representative in Opposition – as one is not in a position of direct power to influence the process of decision-making. However, as Leader of the Opposition, it was critical to give voice to the issues that mattered to the people of Anguilla and to hold our elected officials accountable for their actions, or in some cases inaction. This is a testament to the workings of modern democracies and it is important for all of us to understand these issues fully, lest we be led astray by false impressionists and individuals who aim to distort the true meaning of democratic governance.
The past election was one for the record books in Anguilla’s political history. While unsuccessful in my bid for re-election, it was a pleasure to see many other Independent Candidates taking a step forward. This shows that, among us, there are those brave enough to walk the path of principle over politics. I am encouraged that there will be many who will stand for what is right, not for what is politically expedient. Political opportunism has become a stain on the canvas of Anguilla’s prosperous future – and we must do all that we can to distance ourselves from those who seek power and prestige over service to our fellowmen.
The people of District One, by electing the Hon. Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster, have come full circle to being in a privileged position with the Premier and Leader of Government Business giving direct representation to their needs. This means that District One is well primed for the development and growth opportunities that the APM Administration has promised to deliver over the next 5 years. Thus, it is expected that Dr. Webster will be available and accessible to attend to the needs of the people of Island Harbour as is expected of any duly elected representative.
Recently, a radio interview with former Premier Hubert Hughes raised many eyebrows in my community in which Mr. Hughes suggested that the people of Island Harbour should “give the man a break” (referring to Dr. Webster) – and that his job was “not an easy job”. Surely, the duly elected Representative of the District and our Premier cannot possibly agree with such sentiments being espoused. In fact, we all are aware of the intense responsibility it is to be elected by the people and the sacrifices and obligations that such a position brings to bear. Moreover, I am sure that our Hon. Premier during the election season would have recognized the incredible difficulties and challenges that lay on the horizon in this post COVID-19 environment, and would have assured the people of this country that both him and his team were prepared to chart the course forward.
The Island Harbour beach is now being regularly cleaned by a team of government funded enthusiasts; the Vivien Vanterpool Primary School Feeding Programme will now receive funding from government; and a new community centre is being considered which will be financed by government as centres in other districts are. Having funded these initiatives directly from personal resources in the last decade, I am hopeful that the other initiatives I championed during my tenure, as the Elected Representative for District One, namely: The Heritage Boardwalk, The Fish Marketplace and the responsible surfacing of roads in the Keyes and other areas of District One, will attract funding and consideration now. There is also a great opportunity as Premier, Minister of Finance and Minister of Health, for our Elected Representative to pilot private charitable initiatives that impact on the medical and health needs of our community. It is also important to follow in the footsteps of Father of the Nation, Ronald Webster, who personally funded initiatives in education, as I have, that helped to progress our district.
To whom much is given, much is required – and I, along with others, pray that all our elected officials serve us honourably and are successful in their mission to develop our nation and impact our lives positively.
