General election in Anguilla is constitutionally due by the middle of 2025. We anticipate that the current elected officials, previously unsuccessful politicians and newly aspiring politicians will all be seeking to convince us of their suitability for elected office. Many of us expect that the courtship of the electorate will soon be obvious. Some say that the Anguilla Progressive Movement’s administration has been in courtship mode throughout its term in office and this has been reflected in its use of the Government’s official Facebook page. Young people are considered to be well represented in the House of Assembly as persons serving in both the Governing Party and the Opposition qualify as youths. Sadly, many persons are of the view that some of them have failed to reflect the maturity desired and expected of our elected representatives in their speech and conduct. This shortcoming is also considered to be obvious in some older members of parliament. Will we demand more of our elected representatives in the future, and will this be reflected in our votes in the next General Election?
Maturity in public office was the subject of the editorial published in the Anguillian of 27th January, 2017. It primarily addressed the need for mature relations between elected and appointed public officials in the decision-making process, which appears to be an area that requires significant work at the moment. Many of the observations set out in that editorial remain very relevant as we consider who would best serve our collective and individual interests in 2025 and beyond. The editorial noted that –
“The ability of public officials to respond appropriately to the demands and responsibilities of public office requires a significant level of maturity, which translates into the proper application of discretion and common sense.”
“Maturity is reflected in a number of ways, some of which are considered more significant than others, in the context of public life. Some of the qualities of maturity, which come to mind in the context of public office are, the ability to be calm, peaceful and rational rather than desperate, frantic or irrational; being flexible and open as opposed to being resistant, controlling and unreasonable; the ability to see and prioritise the big picture rather than being driven by one’s own desires and ego; and the ability to seek guidance before acting, even when clearly authorised to act.”
In determining the suitability of political aspirants for elected office all aspects of their lives are considered to be fair game. Political Aspirants, like probationers, can conduct themselves in a manner that they think will endear them to the electorate in the months leading up to an election. The electorate’s research and investigation of candidates must span a much longer period if the true individual is to be discovered. When the true individual is revealed, it is up to each person to determine whether they will vote on merit or will rely on variables such as family relations, who does buy drinks for the boys, or who you can always rely on for a dollar.
Elected officials seeking re–election should expect to be judged more vigorously than other candidates. Their track records must be examined and how they conducted themselves while creating their track record mut be subjected to significant scrutiny. In their engagements can we say they have demonstrated calmness, peacefulness and rational rather than desperate, frantic, or irrational behaviour? Have they been flexible and open as opposed to being resistant, controlling and unreasonable in the administration of the people’s business?
The electorate plays a vital, and in fact the ultimate role in determining who represents the people’s interest. Will we, the electorate, take our role seriously or will many of us resort to – “It won’t make a difference anyway, all politicians are the same?” Maturity on the part of the electorate is equally important, as political aspirants are reliant on the electorate to secure a place in the House of Assembly.
As we approach the next General Election, maturity in politics, which should herald maturity in government, should be of paramount concern to all of us.
