In the weeks preceding our recent general election, many persons longed for polling day to arrive. They felt that the campaigning was going on too long; was serving no useful purpose; or had become too acrimonious. I suspect that many of the political candidates harboured similar views. For them, the journey would have been taxing, and particularly so for the island-wide candidates who had to seek the support of a much wider base than that of a single district. The journey to elected office is over and, arduous though it may have been, it is unlikely to have been as taxing as the task of governing Anguilla is likely to be.
The skill sets that served to ensure the success of a political party at the polls will not necessarily ensure the success of that party, once it assumes office. Promises were made. Can those promises be kept? Will explanations for the failed delivery of any promises be accepted?
In the heat of political battle it is likely that both the political candidates and the electorate paid little attention to what follows that eventful polling day. The reason why some advancements have not been delivered to date, is rarely given proper consideration. How such advancements will now be delivered, by those extending promises of delivery, does not appear to enter the contemplation of many of us.
Anguilla’s status as a British Overseas Territory must be factored into our expectations, as to what can and will be delivered by our elected Government. Anguilla is restricted in how it can finance its various initiatives, as it is required to adhere to certain borrowing guidelines. The United Kingdom Government (UKG) requires that the Government of Anguilla (GoA) comply with these guidelines, before the GoA can borrow monies without the permission of the UKG. My understanding is that Anguilla is still some distance away from being able to borrow to finance its initiatives – without the permission of the UKG. Aspirations without financial resources, or the ability to access financial resources, can stymie the intentions and desires of our Government.
Very often, we fail to give due consideration to the level of diplomacy that must be employed in engagements with British officials. Such diplomacy must seek to ensure that the UKG does not place undue reliance on strictures that exist, or that can be brought into existence which, while serving to protect the UKG’s contingency interests, are likely to stymie Government initiatives. Allowing our colonial status, and the historical and current memories associated with that status, to negatively impact our engagements with British officials is unlikely to serve Anguilla’s short-term interests. Diplomacy, on the part of GoA officials, will be required to ensure that the GoA achieves its desired outcome – while the elected officials and the electorate maintain their dignity. This is no simple feat.
A glaring fact, when one considers the composition of the new Government, is that its members have very little and, in some instances no experience in governing a country. This is unlikely to be accepted as an excuse for any shortcomings, as they seek to govern Anguilla. Having vigorously sought to be elected, and having emerged victorious at the polls, the elected Government is now expected to govern without excuse. If, having crossed from electioneering to governing, successful candidates recognise any deficiencies in their state of readiness to govern, they must proceed with all haste to address those deficiencies. The elected officials have at their disposal qualified and experienced public servants employed in the Civil Service and the various government agencies. Proper engagement with these public servants should place elected officials in good stead, as they go about governing Anguilla.
The level of success achieved by the Anguilla Progressive Movement Government will depend on the willingness of its elected officials to accept and communicate, to the electorate, the realities of what is achievable, what is not achievable and why that is the case. Conversely, the electorate must raise its level of awareness and comprehension and, like the toddlers among us, repeatedly ask why and how.
Winning an election and governing thereafter, are two very different things. Will the challenges of governing be met with the vigour and inclusiveness demonstrated on the campaign trail? Only time will tell.
