The United Kingdom Government (UKG) suspended the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Constitution in 2009, following a Commission of Inquiry, headed by Sir Robin Auld. The Commission found “systemic corruption” in public life, as well as “political amorality”, “general administrative incompetence” and a “palpable climate of fear”. With the suspension of the TCI Constitution, by the UKG,the TCI was subjected to direct rule bythe UKG acting through the Governor.
The fate that befell the TCI is one that,I believe, most Anguillians would hate to see befall Anguilla. However, it does not always appear that we aredoing our best to ensure that we forestall any similar action, in relation to Anguilla. The onset of COVID-19 has resulted in Anguilla having to close its borders, which has had a detrimental effect on its primary industry – tourism. The effect, from an economic and financial perspective, has been so detrimental that Anguilla must now rely on budgetary support from the UKG to ensure the continued provision of basic services. Many government agencies are now also reliant on UKG funds in order to continue to offer their usual basic services. Sadly, even government agencies that did not previously receive a government subvention must now rely on a government subvention, which is funded from the UKG funds.
The UKG, understandably, is concerned to ensure that its funds are utilised appropriately and prudently, and hence is engaging in greater scrutiny of the operations of Government and Government Agencies. The Government Agencies seem to be undergoing particular scrutiny.In the Executive Council Minutes of 31st August, 2020,after listing the liabilities of each some Statutory Bodies had increased liabilities, without necessarily having means to meet the resultant costs, raised questions about whether those boards had effectively discharged their fiduciary responsibilities.” While the Statutory Bodies appear to be heavily criticised for their current financial standing, without objectively referencing the circumstances that led to their financial standing, the Central Government cannot escape similar scrutiny. The financial information shared during the Government’s State of the Nation Meeting on 16th September, 2020, was extremely damning and suggests that the Central Government is also experiencing significant challenges in managing its financial affairs, and has been doing so for some time.
The APM Government has been responding to our current financial challenges in a very different manner to that employed by the AUF Government when it dealt with the financial challenges encountered during its term in office. There is no doubt that there has been a greater sharing of information by the APM administration. However, it is generally felt that what is missing is what we saw during the AUF Administration, where the elected officials rolled up their sleeves, and sought and implemented solutions. Today, a culture of fear is developing where it appears that scapegoats are being sought to explain current financial circumstances, and persons are living in fear that fingers will be pointed at them, or worse that some innocent error on their part will be attributed to deliberate fraud. This atmosphere does not serve to generate cohesive teams,where all members are working together to achieve the same goal.
The blame game might bring the accuser momentary pleasure but it brings no long-term resolution to any situation. In fact, in Anguilla’s context, if we play the blame game too well, we might very well provide a basis for the UKG to act in relation to Anguilla as it did towards the TCI in 2009. Allegations of corruption (founded or unfounded) will be documented and referenced by British officials, when it best suits them. Suggestions are being made about administrative incompetence – and the climate of fear in Anguilla is growing. What of political amorality? In that regard it would be interesting to hear the views of British officials on the appointment of recently defeated APM candidates to the Boards of Statutory Bodies. The governance documents of these Statutory Bodies generally make it clear that members of the House of Assembly are disqualified from serving on their boards. Would it be fair to assume that the spirit of these governance documents creates an expectation that the same should be applicable to politicians recently defeated at the polls?
Prudence requires that our elected officials ensure that they do not, through their actions and pronouncements, unwittingly provide the UKG with a basis for suspending Anguilla’s Constitution and implementing direct rule from the United Kingdom, as was done in the TCI in 2009. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
