There is much conversation, discussion and debate whether ‘party politics’ is good for Anguilla and whether we should have a rethink of the entire democratic process in Anguilla.
What we know, is that ‘party politics’ was first introduced in Anguilla in the early 1970’s and, even back then, there were people who were somewhat hesitant as to whether or not ‘party politics’ was a system of democracy and governance well-suited for our small island and even smaller communities.
Because ‘party politics’, by its very nature tends to be divisive, and tends to divide communities, we end up having a dual system comprised of two groups or parties. One group antagonises the other group and this antagonism has the impact of destroying families and communities.
When you have a small community like Anguilla, it seems good for the persons in elected office to be able to speak with one voice on issues associated with nation-building. However, the “Opposition”, by its nature, believes that its role is to “oppose”, so that, even if Government brings a “good idea” forward, the mere fact that you are not a part of the government but are in the opposition, you think that it is inherent in the title to oppose. At times, that attitude tends to set back what is good and best for the country.
Within the last two weeks, we have noticed a quick reshuffling of the government in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), where there is no longer an “Opposition”. The entire “elected body” is working together for the country. All the so-called ideological differences that political parties in the BVI had, no longer exist because the country is facing an external threat coming from the UK – which is its administering power.
There are other issues with ‘party politics’ that tend to be negative. One of the most obvious is that we end up with what is oftentimes perceived to be “tribes” because it often transcends generations so that people sometimes blindly follow the party leader.
Another problem with ‘party politics’ – as it is done in Anguilla – is that we tend to have a leader who is sometimes more senior in nature, is charismatic, and often can be led or manipulated. This person is often under the control of oligarchs who either accumulate wealth or have the capacity to have wealth and want to have great influence but are themselves unelected or unelectable.
The oligarchs then tend to use their influence along with that of the appointed leader to attract people into the political circle who they think are electable – not necessarily because of ability but because of personality and popularity – so that once elected, they will go along with the agenda of the leader who is under the control of the oligarchs.
When these persons are elected, they are basically “under the command” of the leader. Once the oligarchs make a decision and the leader embraces it, an elected member of that group dares not to vote in public against a decision that is made by the leader.
Is that democratic?
So, all we really need to do then, is to elect a leader and let him/her be the only person paid to make decisions for the country. What we find in ‘party politics’ is that when a decision has to be made, the leader brings in the elected party members or committee to sign off on it. In effect, we need only have one person run the country.
The same is true for the “Opposition”. There is really no consensus, just a leader and followers. The leader puts the position on the table – a decision formulated by the opposition’s oligarchs – and the followers go along with it.
In contrast, the type of leadership Anguilla had prior to the advent of ‘party politics’, was a seven-person elected group from across the island who would sit together and discuss the merits and demerits of an issue that either of them presented. A vote would be taken that each person deemed to be in the best interest of the people of Anguilla and the majority position would be carried forward.
This is the same process by which businesses and corporations operate. They have a Board of Directors selected from a wide array of people with different backgrounds, disciplines, etc, but each with a meaningful contribution to the success of the entity which they represent.
They are not a party, but are individuals who are independent and free thinkers. They enter into discussions about an issue that comes before them, present different sides of the argument, cast a vote and the majority decision is carried. The rest of the folks – as a unified democracy – go along with the majority decision.
This week, we witnessed a matter in the Privy Council in the UK on a matter involving Anguilla. It was not a political party, but a group of knowledgeable people who were discussing an issue impacting Anguilla. At the end of their back-and-forth presentations, a vote will be taken, the majority decision on how to go forward in one way or the other will be given, and that decision will be binding. That is democracy at work.
Some have said that independent politicians bring nothing to the table. If all of Anguilla’s political candidates presented themselves as “independent” and the people elected who they believe were the best able or presented themselves the best, they would debate and argue an issue in the House and take a vote on it. The majority decision on the issue brought to the House would determine whether that issue goes forward or not.
Noticeably, what we have today, is that a leader enters into a private meeting with his/her oligarchs, or with the governor who puts something in his/her head. The leader then presents it to his/her followers as “the party” and tells them what the deal is. “The party” then goes along with what the leader says, or in rare instances, some elected party members might dare to go against the leader’s decision and get “thrown under the bus” – especially if there are “extra seats in government” that were won by “the party”, resulting in a reshuffling of the Cabinet portfolios.
What is needed in Anguilla is not “party politics” with “oligarchs” but an “entire elected body” with all members working together and providing representation in the most democratic way. Maybe, we should all have a rethink.
—– CONTRIBUTED and published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper—–
