Constitutional reform is again on the front burner of the government’s agenda. How far will the reforms go? There are those who desire that the ultimate be pursued. The ultimate in their minds can only be independence. Then there is the other school of thought which promotes the view that a continuing relationship with the United Kingdom is preferred, particularly when the challenges being faced by independent countries in the region are considered.
Is Independence on the Cards? This question was asked in the editorial published on 10th May, 2020 and the following observations were made.
“It is increasingly apparent that it is undemocratic for an unelected official to wield authority that can stymie the policy decisions of elected officials and ultimately the implementation of those policy decisions. The answer to this unfortunate situation, however, cannot be an unprepared gallop into independence. There is, however, an immediate need to begin the process of preparing for Anguilla’s inevitable journey to independence.
That journey requires that we carefully consider what is required from a social, economic, political and constitutional perspective to ensure that Anguilla is able to achieve and maintain sustainable development on the path to and following independence. It is obvious that we must build an economy capable of providing and maintaining essential physical infrastructure. This involves acting now to devise and implement policies, which will ensure that the current public sector buildings under construction will be adequately resourced and maintained after completion.
We need to continue to actively build on the social framework required to sustain and facilitate our people’s needs and aspirations. Despite our inclination to complain about Anguilla’s perceived shortcomings, a clinical evaluation of our social structures will demonstrate a support system that is intended to nurture, facilitate and protect young persons, the elderly and the labour force.
Our pursuit of independence requires that we pursue and establish the highest democratic ideals. Anguilla’s journey to independence will require the establishment of a political and administrative system that squarely places authority for policy decisions in the hands of elected officials. Such a political and administrative system must be supported by establishing and maintaining good governance principles addressing integrity, transparency, accountability and public engagement in policy development. ….
There is a psychological component to the attainment of sustainable independence. The entire populace of Anguilla has a role to play in this respect, as Anguilla’s successful achievement of independence requires the active involvement of the general populace. We must all strive to effectively rationalise and communicate without being consumed with our own personal needs and desires, to the exclusion of all others. This requires willingness on each person’s part to consider the collective good and to support decisions that are most likely to achieve the collective good. Such a psychological state is required, if we are to successfully consider and implement sustainable tax measures to adequately support Anguilla’s infrastructural and social development.
The general understanding is that independence for Anguilla can be easily attained, by simply advising the United Kingdom Government that Anguilla desires to go independent, and providing evidence that the expressed desire has popular support. We must not, however, lose sight of the fact that the attainment of independence without adequate preparation is likely to bring about undesirable results. The achievement of sustainable independence can only be achieved through adequate preparation.”
Are our leaders preparing themselves and members of the electorate for what many consider to be inevitable? Anguilla will one day go independent. Our decision makers often appear more interested in making a game of politics than in preparing our country and us to take charge of our destiny. Will the electorate ever demand more of those who vie for elected office? We need to, if independence is to be successfully pursued.
