In the space of one week, Anguillians, residents, visitors and the many persons in the Anguilla diaspora, who follow the unfolding of politics in Anguilla, were treated to two diverse views of the Honourable Premier Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster. Mr. Don Mitchell QC, and Mr. Kyle Hodge, for different reasons shared their views of Premier Webster and his leadership style.
Mr. Don Mitchell writing in The Anguillian of 17th June, 2022, had this to say about Premier Webster: “One of Dr. Webster’s characteristics is his humility. The man appears to have no vanity about him. He seems strangely lacking in any feelings of inadequacy. He has no chip on his shoulder. He does not need to prove his superiority, like some of his ethically and morally challenged opponents feel compelled to do every day. When he greets you his smile is genuine. He puts his hands together and gently bows no matter how apparently lowly the status of the person. He greets everyone the same way, high or low. Unlike his denigrators, he suffers from no inferiority complex.”
Mr. Mitchell in observing that Premier Webster has, since assuming the office of Premier of Anguilla, been subjected to daily criticism had the following to say: “I won’t repeat any of the egregious and undeserved insults that are showered on him on a daily basis. I only note that he has not once deigned to respond in kind. Amazingly, he continues to be the same gentle, courteous, almost diffident, person. One never hears an unkind or insulting word from him.”
One week later by letter dated 24th June, 2022, Mr. Kyle Hodge resigned as a minister of Government in the Anguilla Progressive Movement (APM) Administration led by Premier Webster. He took the opportunity, in his letter of resignation, to relay to Premier Webster, and by extension the public, his views about the leadership of Premier Webster. Among other things, in reference to the pending implementation of the Goods and Services Tax, he told Premier Webster: “I made many requests to you, that as a new administration we should pursue a sales tax, which the business community was more prepared to execute given the timeline for implementation. These requests were listened to as though a child was complaining rather than as serious attempts to bridge the divide between where we are and where we want to be. It was clear that my requests were in vain as you attempted to build a better relationship with the British at the expense of the trust of the people.”
Mr. Hodge’s views of Premier Webster’s leadership, was further highlighted when he observed: “While the subject of GST represents the core of my concerns, there are other issues that lead me to this path. The lack of organised leadership, the lack of party structure, your approach and tone towards the good people of Anguilla is unacceptable to me.” Mr. Hodge further stated: ‘You cannot gain respect and trust if you don’t give it. Your leadership style does not suit the times that we live in, where people ask more questions to hold their leaders accountable, where the people seek proper guidance and genuinely have a desire to fulfil their civic duties and help their communities. Your address to the nation of June 23, 2022 came after several personal attempts by me to find a balance, but still you have chosen to be accusatory in your speech, you missed the mark terribly and failed to unify us as we anxiously draw near to July 1, 2022.”
Mr. Hodge in speaking to the structure of the APM stated: “After the 2022 election, I pushed for more party structure but this was ultimately ignored. Overall, I felt as if my voice in this party was silenced. My ideas, concerns, and policy recommendations went unnoticed and this a pattern that was displayed to others as well. I have reached my limits as it relates to your leadership qualities.”
The views expressed by Mr. Don Mitchell QC, and Mr. Kyle Hodge, former Minister in the APM Administration, within one week of each other, demonstrates that their perspectives about the Premier’s leadership are totally divergent. It prompts one to wonder, who is best placed to know the real man?
Is this a case of the local saying, “See me and come live with me are two different things” at play? I think most persons would agree that Mr. Kyle Hodge has had more opportunities to really get to know Premier Webster than Mr. Mitchell. Whose perspective rings true for you? Is Premier Webster a man of humility, who treats all persons respectfully and equally, or is he in fact disrespectful to and dismissive of others? Do you have to base your views on the leadership of Premier Webster on those expressed by Mr. Mitchell or Mr. Hodge, or do you have a basis for forming your own opinion? In any event, if objective consideration has to be given to the differing views of Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Hodge, the intimate relationship Mr. Hodge must have established with Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster on the campaign trail, and subsequently as a Minister, under Premier Webster’s leadership, cannot be easily discounted.
Ultimately, we must, however, each decide for ourselves, who we think best describes our leader, the Honourable Premier Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster.
