Exactly two years ago, I penned an editorial entitled “Called to Lead”. In it, I contemplated the roles that various Chief Ministers/ Premiers played in Anguilla’s development and I posited that leaders are elected for a particular time and purpose. As I ponder the current onslaught of criticism of our current leader, Premier Webster, I cannot help but pray for his continued health and strength to face the challenges ahead. His path is not an easy one, but we must believe that he was chosen for such a time as this. A time when Anguilla is still in the midst of economic recession and the prospects of recovery are bleak. A time when a global pandemic has turned the world upside down and everything is uncertain. A time when the United Kingdom Government is demanding that Anguilla becomes more financially self-reliant.
“Since the 1967 Revolution, Anguilla has had [six] Chief Ministers (now Premier). Each one very different and each playing a different role in Anguilla’s advancement. I believe each one was called at a time when he was most needed. The Honourable James Ronald Webster, Father of the Nation, would have been called at such a time, as the revolutionary era, to lead our people out of oppression and to put in place systems, such as the Social Security system, which provide some financial support for ordinary people. Sir Emile Gumbs was called when Anguilla needed investment and to develop industries for its sustainability. He is credited with laying the groundwork for the growth of the tourism industry.
The Honourable Hubert Hughes served at a time when Anguilla sought to redefine its relationship with the United Kingdom Government and to assert its own autonomy. The Honourable Osbourne Fleming served at a time when Anguilla needed financial buoyancy. Under his leadership, Anguilla experienced what is commonly called the “boom years” – a period of unprecedented economic growth. During the latter part of his term, however, the economy declined. The Honorable Victor Banks, Premier [was] serving at a time when Anguilla faced several crises: the effects of a global economic recession, a banking crisis caused by the collapse of local banks, the worst hurricane in its history and a slow recovery process. Just like those before him, we must believe that he was called to serve at [that time].
A leader is a leader for all people. When someone is elected to lead, whether we like him or not, as a society which practices mainly Christianity, we understand that God puts people in positions for a reason and a season. They are there to fulfil God’s purpose for a particular time. When that purpose is fulfilled, and their assignment is completed, a new leader will emerge.
At the appropriate time… Anguillians will again elect a leader — one who is needed to carry out God’s plan for our country. Given the trajectory of the world, we would expect any leader to be able to tackle issues of: globalization and its impact on small states, climate change and disaster resilience, entrepreneurship and innovation, creation of technological industries, economic diversification, leveraging technology in education, making healthcare affordable — and the list goes on.
The reality is that Anguilla is at a point where we can either sink or swim. The challenges of being a small island can be quite overwhelming especially in a world which appears bi-polar – where, for example, nationalism is becoming increasingly popular, yet workplaces are now virtual spaces and barriers to global opportunities are being erased.
Leadership is not a joke. It is not for the faint-hearted nor the weak-minded. If Anguilla is to be positioned to survive and to thrive in the new world order, we must elect a leader for such a time as this. Persons seeking elected office must also be honest with themselves — and before putting themselves forward should ask themselves whether they are ready to lead at a time such as this. At the end of the day, it is our vote which will determine who is elected to lead. We can only trust that they will do so, in the words of the later Father of the Nation: “under the mighty hand of God”.
I don’t know if Premier Webster or any members of his government read my editorial, but if they did then and are doing so now, I would remind them that leadership is not for the faint-hearted. There are major issues confronting Anguilla which they must tackle prudently, innovatively and with compassion for the plight of the Anguillian people. They must ask themselves when this chapter of Anguilla’s history is written, how do they want to be remembered? How will history judge their period of leadership?
