In last week’s article, I reported that I received Lord Ahmad’s letter dated 18th December 2018. I was presented the letter on 28th January 2019, which was 41 days after it was dated. I expressed my concerns, while stating my appreciation for receiving further correspondence from Lord Ahmad. I have since heard from Governor Tim Foy that in fact there was a delay in communication which occurred at the Governor’s Office, and he has expressed his apologies for which I’m grateful. I additionally undertook that I was going to ask the Honourable Chief Minister questions regarding the manner in which the Constitutional Reform process had occurred and what new developments were taking place. Furthermore, on 5 February 2018, I addressed three questions to the Honourable Chief Minister, in the House of Assembly. The questions and his responses are as follows.
It is clear that the Chief Minister’s responses still leave room for a considerable amount of uncertainty. We are left with the same information that states that negotiations between the British and the Anguillan Government took place, but we still cannot be informed on each incremental step of how this process materialized. It was made clear that even after my supplemental questions were asked, we the people of Anguilla are supposed to just accept the lack of concrete and definitive answers. Responses that result in further questions allude to the fact that we are still not getting the full picture and I am not at liberty to say if we ever will. Is this what transparency looks like? Judge for yourself.
Subsequent to the Chief Minister’s responses, he communicated to the House of Assembly and to the people of Anguilla that there have been continued negotiations with the British Government in relation to Constitutional Reform. It’s quite interesting to note that I must incessantly ask for further correspondence with the UK Government in order to be made aware of any further developments. Needless to say, the Chief Minister later presented and read before the House of Assembly his letter to Lord Ahmad, dated 29th January 2019. Surely, he will publish the letter to the people in the coming days, with a further explanation of what we can expect in the next year or so leading up to the general election.
We must remember the significance of this time in our history and never forget that Constitutional reform is the stepping stone to a brighter future. This process will be a crucial catalyst for change, so public consultation and real transparency is not just required but it’s fundamental to a well-functioning democracy.
As the Leader of the Opposition I will continue to be a voice that holds our government accountable and pushes for clear understanding of the laws and regulations that will affect our people.
