The series of debates for political candidates, contesting the 2015 general election in Anguilla – organised by the Literary & Debating Society of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School – climaxed with the debate for the leaders of the three parties on Wednesday, November 26.
In order of the questions, the leaders were: Mr Sutcliffe Hodge – the Dove Party; Mr Victor Banks – the Anguilla United Front; and Dr Ellis Webster – the Anguilla United Movement . The Anguillian has undertaken to publish their responses and rebuttals virtually without editing, except occasionally for clarity.
Among the questions, to which they responded, was one on independence for Anguilla – from a student of the school. That question was: “People are wondering should we or should we not? If elected, will your government commit to a national poll and referendum on this issue?
Mr Sutcliffe Hodge: The issue of independence is one that frustrates me. I would like to wake up tomorrow morning and be independent. That is the aspiration of every human being of every nation. The truth in fact is: our leaders, both past and present, they have failed us in that they have not prepared us for independence. I believe that, with a sense of urgency, we must move forward to put those systems of governance in place and to ensure that we have an economy that is sustainable – that would deliver for the people of this country going forward.
If we can achieve those things, within the next five years, I would be a very proud person to take the issue of the pursuit of independence to the people by a poll by all means.
Mr Victor Banks: Independence, as we knew it, is almost becoming irrelevant nowadays; but I believe it is an important aspiration for any people to aspire – to have more self-determination, more autonomy, in the governance of their own affairs.
Keithstone Greaves
Effectively, the independent nations of the Caribbean have now been subjugated to another form of dependency. They got to rely on certain international treaties and commitments that are used by the developed nations of the world – the first nations of the world – to force them to comply to do their bidding. I believe that, as we go forward, more and more of this will take place because of globalisation – the globalisation of regulations; the globalisation of the financial sector; the globalisation of all aspects of our development. Even human rights are being globalised.
In this sense, cultural aspects of the various cultures of the world are being impacted upon by what the international agencies require as a standard for behaviour and conduct among the peoples of the world. This involves things like the issue of the decriminalisation of homosexuality, capital punishment, the discipline of our children as it relates to the way that we have been accustomed to here in this region.
So independence is an important issue and I believe that the people of the country must wholly aspire to this – and the process must involve a referendum.
Dr Ellis Webster: I agree that it is the aspiration of any people to be free; and certainly we have shared the different types of political affiliations over the past years with the British. And I think that in an age of mutual respect, in an age of inter-relations, that we should – with our overseas partners – have a better relationship. But certainly, I think if they treated us like they treat St Helena and the Falklands Islands, where whatever they need to develop – their economies, their debt – such as the airport, such as their fishing licence regimes. If there were the necessary grants, our economic engine could be pushed forward with their help, with their expertise – then I think that we can survive a little longer with that type of arrangement.
We certainly would need more internal self-government; we would have good governance; we would need to educate our own people and our public service so that we could move things in that direction. We certainly would need to have our banking systems modernised and again recapitalised so that we can have that sense that they are looking out for us as we continue to respect them.
But I think that the goal is to move towards full independence and [if] this should happen and, if it does, that we get all things done, within this first term, we will move towards a referendum so that the people can decide if they want to move to independence or if they want to stay as an Overseas Territory; and I think that when the people speak that they will realise that independence is the right of every people.
First Rebuttal: Mr Sutcliffe Hodge: One of the things that we need to be mindful of, is that independence affords us to choose our friends. Our friendship with Britain has been imposed on us and I am not sure if we really want to be Britain’s friend but, unfortunately, and eventually, we are.
If we were independent today, having the proper management structures in place we, for example, could be benefitting from Petro Caribe. We could be benefitting from support from places like Taiwan and China and Japan. They want our vote around the United Nations table as well. So what we need is to have proper management structures so that we can actually exploit these opportunities.
Mr Victor Banks: I have heard all the discussions and we do know that once you get independence, you choose your friends. But the fact is that even right now, the partner that we have to support us in our efforts [is] the United Kingdom Government – and a lot depends on our approach, our style, and our attitude, in negotiating with the British Government.
Right now five territories – independent territories in the Caribbean – are being afforded 75 million dollars in assistance from the British Government as we speak. They have had 75 million dollars before, and for the period 2015-2020, another 75 million dollars of support. They have been able to negotiate that as they are not a territory. They have been able to get support from the European Union of which the United Kingdom is a part.
We need to exploit our opportunity as a member of the United Kingdom and as a member of the UK as a result of that relationship.
Final Rebuttal: Mr Sutcliffe Hodge: I don’t think that Mr Banks is naïve at all. British taxpayers are not going to bankroll us. It is not going to happen. We are dreaming; so to think that you can charm the British, and they are going to deliver for us, you are dreaming.
Mr Victor Banks: As the member mentioned, I am not naïve; but I know the art of negotiation. I know what I have been able to achieve, as a Minister of Government, despite all the things that this Chief Minister and this Government, talk about.
Dr Ellis Webster: (No final rebuttal).
