REMARKS BY THE CHIEF MINISTER
The Editor
The Anguillian
Dear Sir:
It was quite embarrassing and shameful to hear the conduct of our Chief Minister Mr Hubert Hughes on To-the- Point Programme on Monday evening. I kept tuning in and out. However, it took less than twenty seconds to realize that the Chief Minister was continuing his usual charade. He accused the Governor of starving Anguillians and called on him to address the Cap Juluca issue. Mr Hughes said we had a revolution and we can have a second one. Oh really, Mr Hughes? Is this the way we fight our battles? We voted you in office- to lead. We asked for change but sure not this kind of change!
Anguillians, we must learn to think for ourselves, read and listen to the regional and international news. Let’s start with this. Our Chief Minister has made numerous statements that the British Government should help bail us out of our financial woes. He said they have an obligation to Anguilla not only because we are anOverseasTerritory, but because the British Government allowed the former government too much financial freedom hence the reason for our current situation. Our Chief Minister continues to embarrass us and because of his behaviour he is probably the reason why we are starving.
While the Chief Minister may not like that we are anOverseasTerritory, governed byBritain, he must display proper decorum. His ranting and raving appear to be belaboring the development ofAnguilla. Investors will not invest with such behaviour and sometimes reckless remarks by our Chief Minister. On Anguilla Day he called for independence because he believes that our status of independence will automatically rectify and provide an injection of cash flow toAnguilla.
My people, independent countries still have a relationship withBritain, and while the Premiers and Prime Ministers may have their battles withBritainthey still have a working relationship! And, guess whatAnguilla? They are getting financial assistance!! Just in July it was announced on CANA thatBritain’s Department for International Development is to spend US$11.3 million to help the Jamaican Government in its crime fighting initiatives.
And guess what, another shocker!! The Chief Minister’s favourite country St Kitts/Nevis, the independent country, received good news fromBritain. Let me use its direct quote:-
Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas has welcomed the decision byBritainto cancel the debt owed by the twin-island federation, saying it underscores continued confidence in restoring the local economy.
“I commend the members of the Paris Club who cooperated and collaborated with us, especially the British government who has officially informed me that they have given complete debt forgiveness for the balance debt that we owed them,” said Dr. Douglas, who is also Minister of Finance
A government statement said that less than two months after going to the Paris Club seeking support for the restructuring of the debts owed bySt. Kitts and Nevis,Britain’s Minister of State for International Development, Alan Duncan, announced the debt forgiveness.
The statement gave no details regarding the amount.
Anguillians, doesn’t this say a lot? The Chief Minister’s behaviour is obviously the reason why the Mother Country is so reluctant to help us. It further underscores the well known adage that no man is an island. While these countries are independent they still maintain a cordial working relationship withBritain. What happens if we were to go independent? Who will be our bigger brother or sister to help us out?
I think it is time for us to remove the shades from our eyes and see clearly what is happening here. It is also time for the Chief Minister’s followers to remove the shades from their eyes. I cannot be fooled any longer. The AUM administration is now in office for over two years and nothing has been done to ease our burdens. No projects have begun. No progress has been made. We are stagnant! I can only ask for you, Anguillians, to read and listen to the news and see what is happening globally. We are part of the global world, and the way our government is reacting to our dismal condition – rather than being proactive – we are in for some turbulence. I can only say buckle up and despite Repeater’s song, that with Captain Hughes at the helm we will not go down, I can only say in the famous words of Exodus Band like a one motor plane we going down fast – CRASH!
Annoyed listener
