Our government’s coffers seem to be growing at a phenomenal rate. Increased tax revenue should mean better national infrastructure and better social services. As many persons have come to realise it, however, does not necessarily mean greater access to improved services for citizens and residents if they cannot afford the necessities of life, far less any improved services. It appears that the struggle to meet basic needs is a growing concern among Anguillians and residents of Anguilla.
An equally alarming realisation is the fact that as a people, Anguillians seem to be losing themselves while the government’s growing coffers are being touted. Acceptable standards of behaviour, love for one another and certain basic principles of life are all being eroded. What is frightening is that our leaders appear not to recognise the role they are playing in this fast- paced erosion or that their actions run counter to any plans or programmes espoused as intending to stem the erosion.
The violent behaviour of young and not so young persons is reflective of the behaviour of persons in leadership positions. When leaders respond to criticisms, deserved or undeserved, by attacking individuals via social media or in the House of Assembly this sets the tone for engagements between others. When a minister uses the foulest of language, threatens to do bodily harm to an individual and engages in a violent act in a public place and that behaviour is captured on video and widely circulated and there are no repercussions for such behaviour a message is sent. That message, whether intended or otherwise, means different things to different persons. To some it suggests that the behaviour exhibited is acceptable. To others it suggests that we have a biased system that allows persons’ transgressions to be dealt with according to their social position. All persons, they conclude, are certainly not equal before the law. Are these the messages we want to send? Is this the community we want to cultivate? There was a time when the mere presence of persons of ‘social standing’ would bring calm to irate individuals, who would immediately watch their words and curb their actions. This is no more, as some persons of ‘social standing’ are now actively engaged in unacceptable behaviour or send the message that they support such by their actions or failure to take action.
Our desire to be a progressive society and to show pride in our ethnicity is to be admired. However, in our bid to be progressive we have failed to recognise and respect the fact that there is a time and a place for everything. The hair policy recently introduced in our schools does not appear to find favour with many educators. These persons consider the policy to be too far ranging and to have introduced a total disregard for neatness, proper grooming and respect for school attire. Throughout the world and in all things, including issues of ethnicity, there are acceptable and unacceptable standards. Our failure to identify and establish standards which recognise our ethnicity but did not compromise our sense of place and time, has resulted in students presenting themselves in a manner that leaves much to be desired. What is even more disheartening is that teachers appear to have lost the desire or the will to challenge students to appropriately present themselves. Freedom to express oneself now appears to mean doing as one pleases, where and when one pleases. Our leaders need to be careful of the messages being sent.
When our leaders seem to be relegating our proud and resilient people to mindless drones, we are certainly losing our way. It appears that the unsolicited input of public officers is not desired in the affairs of Government. Ex Min 23/265 is a record of a matter discussed at the Executive Council Meeting of 17 August, 2023. It suggests that public officers should be concerned that if they voice opinions which are not precisely in accord with that of ministers they will be viewed negatively. The Executive Council Minute provides in part that – “The personal views of the public service in general and those in it on governing policy are irrelevant and the public service is solely there to deliver the agenda of the elected government of the day provided those instructions are lawful. It was highlighted that this is not necessarily as accepted and fundamentally understood as it should be. Therefore, in the interest of transparency, it is important that everyone is clear that this is how things ought to be done in line with the Constitution of Anguilla. This issue as to the relationship between public service and the Minister will be communicated to the incoming Governor pinned as one of her top priorities to address.” To cause public officers, most of whom are highly qualified and experienced persons, to even hesitate to offer a viewpoint is certainly a huge step in the wrong direction.
As a people we are losing our way. Our leaders cannot continue to ignore the role they play in the path chosen by a country and its people. As 2024 approaches our leaders need to engage in some deep retrospection and introspection if the erosion of standards and principles currently being experienced, is to be halted.
