August 29th, 2021
Her Excellency, Ms. Dileeni Daniel-Selveratnam
Governor of Anguilla
Old Ta
Anguilla
Dear Governor,
Greeting in the triune, liberating name of the most high God, Almighty.
As Chairman of the Anguilla Christian Council I wrote to you previously to express our concern in the manner in which the bill for the Goods and Services (G.S.T.) tax was voted on and passed in the House of Assembly. Our letter was part of a series of letters written to you at that time by various entities and individuals expressing similar concerns. Among those writing to you was the ‘Concerned Citizens of Anguilla’ group. Your response was made subsequently to this group.
Consequently you are in receipt of an adequate response by the ‘Concerned Citizens’ to your submissions. Our role is therefore not to relitigate the work of others. However we are concerned that the issue of parliamentary democracy in our House of Assembly is broken and needs to be repaired. Hopefully, this problem will be addressed during our current constitutional exercise.
Furthermore we cannot negate the role of national transformation, to which Christ has called His Church. His teachings inspires, and empowers us not just to be hearers of His word but also to be active participants in the realization of his will and Kingdom upon the earth. It is therefore imperative that we advocate for the weak and the poor in our midst. They are the least among us, whom Christ calls us to love, and care for.
The voice of the people of Anguilla was clear in the vote on the G.S.T. Bill in the ‘House’. The fact is that the majority of the elected representatives in the ‘House’ voted against G.S.T. Shouldn’t the voice of the people matter? The rules governing the procedures of the House of Assembly, and our Constitution should ensure that there is no hindrance to the voice of the people being heard in our House of Assembly through our elected representatives.
Thus the Church cannot be a bystander when the people are taken for granted, oppressed and downtrodden by the powerful. Hence in Anguilla we shall always seek for justice, peace, and prosperity for all. We implore you to used all the powers vested in you to aid the people of Anguilla as you deliberate with your colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on this matter.
We shall continue to pray that you and all others who have positions of leadership and authority in Anguilla, will seek to lead us with compassion, and righteousness.
May God bless you, and may He bless the people of Anguilla always.
Yours Respectfully
Wilmoth O. Hodge (Reverend)
Chairman, Anguilla Christian Council
