This is my third article under this title. In the first one, I argued that our governing political paradigm needs to be changed if the political culture and the public behavior of our politicians are to change. The elements of competition, negativity, personal attack, abusive language and party tribalism, are far too strong and prominent in the present political culture to have any positive influence. In fact, these elements have been working against the progress of Anguilla and the wellbeing of Anguillians. Our children and young people are being influenced to believe that aggressiveness, indiscipline, competition, rudeness, disrespect, violence, and the like, are acceptable virtues of life. Common decency, respect, please, thanks, excuse, the civilized handling of differences, good morning, etc., etc., are becoming more and more things of the past. We cannot continue down this path any longer.
Again, I am calling upon our members of the House of Assembly to remember that when you are debating in the House many people, including our children and youth, are listening to you and that your words and conduct influence them for good or ill. Think of the teacher who decides to have his/her class listen in as part of the “Civics” lesson. Think of those who regard the House of Assembly as the highest “court” of the land. What impressions do you leave on their young minds? Members of the House, are you aware that your behaviour in the House is influencing how our children and youth behave towards each other? I appeal to you for their sake, if for nothing else, to “Raise the Bar” and do better. You can, and please do.
The second article was occasioned by the meeting of the Government on February 18th, 2014, when it was said to be “an account of our stewardship” since forming the Government. The major flaw with that meeting was that it was not a stewardship account at all, but rather a series of political campaign speeches, except the first presentation that evening. It is a question of understanding, as well as of integrity, if you say you are going to do one thing and end up doing another. Either you did not understand what you were supposed to do, or you intended to deceive the people by promising one thing but actually giving something else. I again appeal to you, the leaders of our nation, to have the integrity to mean what you say and say what you mean. In that way you will help “Raise the Bar on our Politics.”
This third article on “Raising the Bar” is occasioned by what happened in the Honourable House of Assembly on Friday, 7th March 2014. I tuned in to Radio Anguilla in order to hear the debate on some relevant motions including applications for duty free concessions. To my surprise, and the surprise of many, fairly early in the session the Honourable Parliamentary Secretary introduced a matter which was not on the Order Paper, but which related to something which was said in a radio address made by Mrs. Cora Richardson Hodge. He then proceeded to castigate, berate, lambaste, rebuke, thrash, and demolish her in the most dishonourable and vulgar manner imaginable. This went on for a considerable length of time, and when he eventually took his seat, he had not spoken to any of the motions before the Honourable House. To add injury to insult, when the Honourable Chief Minister took the floor, he picked up where the Parliamentary Secretary had left off. He did not only insult the one lady, but he insulted women in general, especially those running for political office, with his distasteful and disrespectful diatribe. He went on and on and on, but not a word about the motions which were tabled for debate. In the judgment of many intelligent Anguillians and residents, it is an absolute disgrace that the Honourable House can be so dishonoured and abused by gentlemen who should be honourable in speech and conduct. And it is so unfortunate that this happens so often.
Now, this article is about “Raising the Bar on our Politics.” It is in no way a defence of Mrs. Cora Richardson Hodge. She is capable of defending herself. Moreover, I did not hear the radio address. My remarks are therefore limited to the behavior and comments of the holders of the highest political offices in the land. I appeal to you, gentlemen, assuming that you do have a developed sense of civility and reason, that you make every effort to be statesmen and stop behaving like “warriors” who are always on the war path. Statesmen know how to strongly disagree and yet remain dignified; they know how to temper judgment with mercy; they know how to rebuke someone graciously. Among the many other noble and fine qualities statesmen possess is this: Statesmen know how to remain focused on the business of the moment. Unfortunately, the fine qualities of statesmanship were all absent from the Honourable House on Friday, March 7th, 2014. You can “Raise the Bar” by endeavouring to be statesmen at all times, but especially when you are transacting the people’s business in the Honourable House. Please, gentlemen, be statesmen for Anguilla’s sake, if you truly love your country.
Madam Speaker, you have a major role to play in the House of Assembly and you must have the courage to play that role or yield to someone else. When you sit in the Speaker’s chair, you must preside with wisdom, without fear or favour, and according to the rules. It is your responsibility to ensure that the agenda of the meeting, detailed in the Order Paper, is not derailed or superceded by the extraneous items introduced by members, for whatever reason. So, Madam Speaker, be courageous and do what is expected of you, and you will become a major contributor to the principle of “Raising the Bar.”
One last point for now, and many people know it. It is a sign of cowardice, an abuse of parliamentary privilege – and a violation of basic principles of democracy – for parliamentarians to use the shelter of the House of Assembly in the way our parliamentarians use it most of the time. The privilege of immunity is not a license for you to abuse, attack and assassinate the character of private citizens who are unable to defend themselves, especially when the attack is unfair and unnecessary. Again, I appeal to you, Honourable gentlemen: “Raise the Bar”. Debate issues not personalities, and conduct yourselves honourably. Your influence must be positive. Thank you, and we look forward to higher standards in the Honourable House. May God bless you, and may God bless Anguilla.
