Constitutional Awareness Taking Root

When the constitutional meet-the-people consultations are all over in Anguilla, no one should be heard saying that they did not know or hear ‘so and so’ and therefore they are unaware of what has been taking place.

One cannot recall any Constitution of Anguilla or proposed amendments that took so long and occupied the minds of so many people, great and small, on the island, like the present document and the many proposals to ensure that, in the final analysis, the Government and people of the island get what they wanted.

There have been two separate Constitutional and Electoral Reform Commissions (the first called a Committee) and the meetings and discussions have been protracted but very useful in terms of findings and recommendations. Attendances have always been sparse but those persisting with the meetings have not been deterred in keeping the talks going at the local level. This is commendable for when it is all said and done it is Anguilla and its people who must be the true beneficiaries.

It all now seems to be coming to a head with the present series of public consultations by the Government working in partnership with a number of persons from the community and even on a draft constitution.

Much commendation must be accorded to Dame Bernice Lake QC, who has gone to great links and, with the aid of video equipment, has been delivering a series of interesting and informative public sessions. She has appeared at constituency meetings held by the Elected Representatives for Valley South and Valley North (Hon. Victor Banks and Hon. Evans Rogers respectively), and at the recent Walter G. Hodge Memorial Lecture among other appearances.

No stone appears to be left unturned in the quest for the kind of constitution the people of Anguilla want and it is clear that the constitutional awareness in this regard has taken root on the island.