One of the fundamentals of democracy is the right to hold opinions and to express them publicly without fear, but there are certain safeguards to watch. Not only do these safeguards relate to the laws of libel and defamation, but to standards of decency, morality and law and order.

A time when persons can be easily carried away, and say the wrong things, is during an election campaign. The electioneering is now in full gear, fuelled by the nearness of the General Election within the next few weeks. Notwithstanding the apparent apathy, this is expected to give way to much interest and excitement, becoming fever pitched in the climaxing days of political campaigning.

It is normally at this time that church leaders, worried about the societal harmful effects of the politicking, call on all parties and candidates to refrain from gutter-swiping and mud-slinging. This call is necessary and must be heeded. It should not be interpreted as an interference of the church in matters of state, but rather as an effort to protect the national interest and peace.

No party or candidate will gain anything by throwing mud at each other, except the contempt of right-thinking and responsible people who have no interest in name-calling and slander. A candidate offering himself for public office will be judged by the way he conducts himself, articulates and deals with the issues. The more dignified the candidate, the greater the chance for attracting public faith and confidence.

Respect and tolerance must be shown for each other by all the candidates. Unfortunately, there has already been some bitterness occasioned by such childish acts as ripping down posters or smearing paint over them. This is a type of violence and maliciousness which can only lead to bad relationships and the sowing of seeds of discord into the campaigning. By respecting each other, the candidates will show respect for Anguilla at a time when we are in the heart of the tourist season and so many people are looking at and listening to us.

The fact that there are so many parties and candidates vying for election is not only an indication that everybody is racing for political office. It is also a sign that democracy is alive and well in Anguilla. Further, it signifies that Anguilla is at a stage where a number of persons would like to participate in its leadership and continued development. If this is truly the case, we must show ourselves to be disciplined, responsible and intelligent while seeking to be leaders. This is a first and important step towards public office.

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