Anguilla’s Indigenous Banks
Dear Sir
I submitted the following question for answer by the Honourable Chief Minister at the meeting of the House of Assembly last Friday 31st July 2015.
In light of the widespread concern about the future of Anguilla’s two indigenous banks, which is resulting in financial instability, personal hardship and the impairment of economic development, will the Honourable Minister release to the public the report of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank into the events which led to the assumption of the control of those banks by the ECCB in 2013, so that as and when he discloses to the people his government’s proposals for those banks, the people will be in a position to judge, and be consulted with upon, the merits of such proposals.
The Speaker disallowed the question and it remains unanswered.
I am very conscious that the Chief Minister is using every argument at his disposal for suggesting that the sensitivity of the issues justifies secrecy, but I put it to him through these columns that lack of transparency is not only counterproductive in terms of “responsible leadership and action”, to use his words, but is also likely to be more alarming to all those concerned for the future of the banks and therefore more likely to generate “unhelpful unfounded rumour and speculation” and the potentially disastrous consequences that could follow.
We have become accustomed, as a people, in recent times, to government by stealth. We had hoped that the election result would herald a new era of openness and consultation. Come on please, Chief Minister; stop stonewalling as if you have something to hide.
Mr Editor, Sir, your distinguished newspaper is my only remaining chance to publish my question now, in the hope that the Hon Chief Minister will see the good sense of responding positively to it.
Yours faithfully,
Pam Webster
Leader of the Opposition
Elected Member for District 1
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
