A central theme of the just-ended Anguilla Day celebrations was the need for a resurgence of the widespread unity that resulted in the success of the Anguilla Revolution 47 years ago. Unfortunately, the new call for a united people has come at a time when there is a deepening of division across the island. This is setting in as political parties and candidates begin to ‘slug it out’ in their campaigns for the 2015 general election – still a considerable distance away.
Speaking at a campaign meeting in West End recently, the Chief Minister asserted that he was glad that there was such a long period for campaigning. His view was that his AUM candidates were having an opportunity to address all the critical issues affecting the island, thereby marginalising their opponents early and solidifying their chance of winning the election. Of course, that was put into a smoother form of language than how the Chief Minister expressed it but, on the other hand, the same opportunity holds true for the other parties and candidates. The trouble is when the real issues are swept under the rug and only “the washing of dirty linen in public” comes into play.
There are many issues, to examine and address, which strike hard at the economy of Anguilla, job opportunities and the social welfare of our people. A quick glance at the situation reveals some of the following areas of concern needing urgent attention: taxation relief in terms of some of our basic needs and services; greater economic development; creating more employment opportunities for our teeming youth population including those returning home after completing higher education; improvement to our water and electricity services – two of the amenities our people fought hard for during the Revolution; a solution to the problems facing our indigenous banks; the difficult and protracted Cap Juluca issue; and a string of other economic and social issues including the rise in violence and crime. The list of our woes and needs goes on and on.
Anguilla has reached a point in its march to progress and maturity as an island nation where there is a growing need for capable leadership. If we are to waste so much energy and spend so much time just fighting among ourselves, there is little hope for a brighter tomorrow – there is little hope for a progressive society which offers its people a niche of achievement, respect and dignity, probably carved out largely by themselves, in which they can comfortably survive in a competitive and complex world.
As it is, at present, the current election campaign in Anguilla is bad enough and the fear is that it will progressively get worse with a greater degree of mudslinging and character assassinations of one form or another. This should not be in our fair land, ripping to shreds the unity and peaceful co-existence we once enjoyed. Our politicians, together with their party supporters, must take the high road in this election campaign in which, in some cases, some misguided persons may even become violent, adding a new and unfortunate dimension to the political climate of the island if their emotions are whipped up out of proportion or otherwise run wild. There is hardly any sense talking about our warring young people in some of our communities, and how to curb and discipline them, if our politicians fail to set an example.
The church has long been an influential arbiter in small societies like Anguilla, seeking to engender a spirit of unity and love among our people. It must not lose its influence in helping to guide the process and the course of our politics today, and must speak out on some or all of the issues that confront us. In the letter page in this issue of The Anguillian, there is a correspondence that is copied to two of our church leaders. The only reason for the reference is that it indicates that there is a strong belief among some of our people – and rightly so – that the church can play a significant role in society, although in some cases that role may not be properly or easily defined.
The church needs to pay attention to the overall political campaign in Anguilla to see what it can do, as a religious and spiritual body, to assist us through this difficult period. This can be done, at least, by ensuring that a Code of Ethics is observed by all parties and candidates, and that there is mutual respect and dignity in the political campaign. Surely, if we are an upmarket tourism destination, then all we do should reflect that quality of character and strength of purpose.
As mentioned earlier, the general election is still far away. There are many real issues to address in the run-up to that important event. Let us not waste time destroying each other or embarking on the type of guerrilla warfare the Rev Dr Wycherley Gumbs referred to in his sermon at the Ecumenical Service on Sunday, May 25. If our politicians simply continue with the name-calling and character assassinations, as they are doing, they will all be burntout before the 2015 general election with nothing else but slander, confusion and ill-will to offer the discerning electorate.
