Fundamental to the proper functioning of government in any parliamentary democracy is Accountability. In the context of Anguilla, holding our elected officials accountable to the will and best interests of our people has proved to be a tremendous undertaking. This, of course, is due to the callous disregard for the checks and balances and instruments of accountability enshrined in our constitution and system of governance by those entrusted by the people with the power to govern through democratically held elections. This is indeed the case because many of our elected officials operate with such immeasurable arrogance that they fail to understand that, with great power, comes great responsibility. The very premise of parliamentary representation is to understand that you are accountable to your constituents at all times.
In my dual role as the Elected Member for District One and Leader of the Opposition, the ability to ask questions in the House of Assembly is a right provided to me through the procedural rules of the House. It is a critical component of checks and balances and a staple of the accountability regime.
“Parliamentary questions have a significant role in [parliament]. They allow Members of Parliament to hold the Government to account, using either oral questions to Ministers in the Chamber of the House of Commons or written questions.” (UK House of Commons)
Yet in Anguilla, of late, it would appear that this very important avenue to ask direct questions to the leader of government business and other ministers of government is being tested. In the last sitting of the House of Assembly, there was some discussion between the Premier and the Speaker of the House about the possibility of excluding questions from the Order Paper at the next sitting. However, recognizing the importance of this mechanism of accountability, I strongly advocated that my right to ask questions on behalf of the people of Anguilla not be impaired in any way. I urge the people of Anguilla to rail against any attempt by this AUF government and its proxies to silence our voices. I am thankful that wisdom and good practice prevailed in this instance. The order paper for the next sitting (since postponed) included my questions, and I give credit to the Speaker for his decision in this respect. It is my hope that the impartiality of the role of Speaker is maintained at all times, since we are conducting the peoples’ business!
The lack of accountability of this AUF government is glaring. This is not only exemplified in sittings of the House of Assembly, but in the very conduct of government business. Many questions have been left unanswered including the process of negotiations in the aftermath of the banking crisis in Anguilla. Moreover, the process of procurement and vivid conflicts of interest in the execution of the people’s business among others should encourage everyone to leave no stone unturned. As Leader of the Opposition, I have worked diligently to establish the Public Accounts Committee, which is a very important body whose role it is to thoroughly investigate all matters relating to the expenditure from the public purse. Despite significant delays and stumbling blocks, I am proud to say that the Public Accounts Committee is here to stay and will function in the interest of the people of Anguilla as a significant check and balance.
But the latest egregious initiative of the AUF government, to modify the constitution, with a view to securing an illegitimate advantage in the next election, appears to have come unstuck. I can only guess, but I suspect that the reason the latest planned sitting of the House of Assembly this week has been cancelled is because the government has had its attention drawn to the fundamental defects in its proposed Anguillian Status Act, which was to have been debated and, no doubt, passed. So much for government attempts to hoodwink the Anguillian people by the use of amateur draftsmen to circumvent the proper channels for good governance and feather their own nest. But shame on them for not explaining their shenanigans and for simply cancelling the House of Assembly, without a word of explanation either to me as an elected member of the Assembly or, even more importantly, to the Anguillian people who have a vital vested interest in the issue.
As we move into the heart of another election cycle; let me remind the good people of this country not to be fooled by the empty promises of the AUF. Likewise, the new face and rebranding of the AUM will not negate the old politics that are still very much entrenched in that vessel; and the lack of accountability well documented in their own record at the helm of governance in the past. History is a very important teacher – the lessons cannot and should not be unlearned.
We are committed to the new dispensation in our politics and governance that will bring a new dawn for Anguilla. My commitment to the people of this country is clear. You will have accountability, not only in word but in actions; mechanisms will be created to ensure that the people have freedom of information, proper and effective consultations in the governance process, a fully functional Public Accounts Committee, and a zero-tolerance policy for corruption. The people are ready for One Anguilla!
