In the context of Anguillian politics and governance, our people are crying out for Transparency! The lack of transparency to which our elected officials more often than not subscribe results in a complete distrust of our government and the process of decision-making. The onset of the Banking and Financial Services Crises from 2013 onwards, and the subsequent aftermath, are a shameful example of the failure of both the AUM/APM and the AUF leadership to be transparent with the Anguillian people in the administration of their duties. The political irony is now glaring – that those at the helm before, during and after the worst economic crisis in our country, now seek a new mandate from the electorate, with policies and proposals that are either outdated or disingenuous.
Transparency is a major pillar of good governance and is described by how much access to internally-held information citizens are entitled; the scope, accuracy and timeliness of this information; and what citizens (as “outsiders”) can do if “insiders” are not sufficiently forthcoming in providing such access. The benefits of transparency include increased participation, good governance practices, increased efficiency and effectiveness and – most importantly – a defence against corruption. A lack of transparency can undermine the quality of public decision-making and prevent citizens from checking the abuses of public power. This can have a corrosive effect on virtually all aspects of society and governance.
Transparency is a prerequisite to the realization of the Anguillian Dream. Our people must be able to have confidence in a system of governance that is open, honest and trustworthy – not in word only but through established mechanisms that increase the power of the people to seek and obtain information freely and use that information to hold elected officials accountable. Too often questions go unanswered, and this drives a wedge between those elected to run the affairs of the country and the people who are empowered through free and fair elections to entrust them with this responsibility for a period of five years.
A lack of Transparency also breeds apathy for political participation and decision-making, particularly among our young people. This is a direct threat to the proper functioning of our democratic institutions in Anguilla. It is therefore incumbent upon us to repair the damage that has been done, not through tokenistic engagement where young people are paraded by politicians and political parties, but rather by having the confidence in our young people to lead the discussions, lead in the decision-making, lead in the legislative process and lead in the developmental agenda for Anguilla.
This now raises the question as to what type of political leader would give youth the type of power they rightfully deserve, without feeling threatened. Perhaps this is why we are now hearing, in the political arena, a very interesting tagline – “It’s time for youth to have a seat at the table”. In responding to this assertion one would need to ask, what are the rules at this table? What is the real and tangible engagement that is being promoted in this case? I would certainly hope that this is not simply a strategy to gain votes among a growing voting bloc, only to leave them disappointed once more with failure to act and broken promises. The youth of Anguilla are not fooled by such rhetoric – all that glitters is not necessarily gold. I know full well that the youth of this country are paying very close attention to what those in government are saying and their actual track record of real and meaningful engagement with the youth demographic of this country – and I would add – not just the youth of a particular social class and partisan orientation but youth from all walks of life.
The political arena of Anguilla is now diseased with a complete lack of transparency. The AUF’s current legislative process regarding the constitutional and electoral reform, and the AUM/APM rebranding exercise, are both riddled with hidden agendas that will soon bubble to the surface. The House of Assembly was due to meet this week, for example, to debate changes to the Constitution, but the meeting has been cancelled with no reason given, no doubt because the AUF government’s disgraceful deception over their proposed constitutional changes has been exposed. The truth is absolute.
Now that both the AUF and the AUM/APM are busy painting a mirage in the desert wasteland of gutter politics and poor governance in Anguilla, my fervent hope is that the people will participate in a process that will satisfy their thirst for real change and will usher in a new dawn for our country and a bright future for our children. The people are ready for One Anguilla!
