With the grand celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution just days ahead, Opposition Member for Road North, Edison Baird, moved a Motion in the House of Assembly on Tuesday calling for a public holiday to be instituted in honour of Revolutionary Leader, James Ronald Webster. The motion was defeated.

Hon. Edison Baird

Instead the House voted in support of an amendment to that Motion by Minister of Finance, Victor Banks, which called for a Heroes and Heroines National Holiday in recognition of all of the freedom fighters who gave relentless support for the Anguilla Revolution, and for a Special Schools Holiday for Ronald Webster, the leader.

Mr. Baird’s Motion read as follows:

“WHEREAS it is only right and just for a country to honour its national heroes especially those who have played a leadership role in terms of vision, commitment, resolve and success;

Mr. Ronald Webster

AND WHEREAS as leader of the Anguilla Revolution Mr James Ronald Webster continuously risked his life and used his personal assets in the struggle to free Anguilla from the Associate State of St. Kitts-Nevis and Anguilla;

AND WHEREAS our struggle to be free was finally successful in terms of practical separation on 30th May 1967 and constitutional Separation on 19th December 1980;
AND WHEREAS the desire to honour Mr James Ronald Webster as our Revolutionary Leader, Father of the Nation and first Chief Minister is supported by the Anguillian people;

BE IT RESOLVED that a national holiday be designated in honour of Mr James Ronald Webster.

The Motion was the only matter before the House of Assembly and was introduced by Mr. Baird at the request of Yanchi Richardson, a well-known radio personality and social commentator in Anguilla. Mr. Baird spoke at length on his Motion, ably justifying his reasons for bringing it forward. He stressed Webster’s determination to have Anguilla separated from St. Kitts at all cost, risking “treason and hanging” and drew comparisons in other countries where persons of high political office and national esteem had been honoured for their service.

He noted that even in St. Kitts the colleagues of the late Premier Robert Bradshaw had honoured him for his leadership over the years and argued that the 40th Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution was an occasion to honour Mr. Webster as a fitting tribute to his contribution to the island its people. He also observed that Mr. Webster has had the foresight of making arrangements for future political leadership of Anguilla by inviting back home persons such as Mr. Banks and Mr. Fleming who both now hold well placed positions in Government.

Mr. Banks rose in support of Mr. Baird’s Motion but introduced an amendment which read: “BE IT ESOLVED that a National Holiday be designated in honour of the heroes and heroines of the Anguilla Revolution and a Special School Holiday be designated in recognition of the contribution of the Honourable James Ronald Webster and that special recognition be on the birthday of the Honourable James Ronald Webster which is March 2nd of the year.”

Mr. Banks thanked Yanchi Richardson for his campaign in ensuring that Motion to honour Mr. Webster came before the House and complimented both him and Mr. Baird for their efforts.

Mr. Banks said that in the past only a few persons were honoured each year for their contribution to the revolution and the development of the island; but seeing that this year was a special milestone up to 20 persons would be honoured on Anguilla Day. May 30, 2007.

“It is important Mr. Speaker that as a people we continue to cherish those persons who have made a contribution …towards achieving the successes that we so frequently catalogue in this Honourable House,” Banks continued. “It is said Mr Speaker that we are as dwarfs on the shoulders of giants and if there was a giant after 1967, it was certainly the Honourable James Ronald Webster. Quite rightly, Mr. Speaker, some members in this Honourable House have become elected members because of the support that was granted us by the Honourable James Ronald Webster and that the vision and the determination which he had and the sacrifices that he made are significant.”

Mr. Banks noted that there were several holidays associated with Mr. Webster’s achievements in Anguilla and that when added to the other national holidays there was a total of thirteen. He stated that Separation Day on December 19 might be the most likely holiday to be changed to Heroes and Heroines Day.
The Minister suggested that a Schools Holiday for Mr. Webster “would create an opportunity, not only for a day off for the children, but opportunities to have educational opportunities and programmes that accentuate, celebrate and point to the level of leadership, determination and resolve that is required for leadership in difficult times.”

Opposition Member Hubert Hughes joined in praising Mr. Webster for his role in the Anguilla Revolution and was in support of Mr. Baird’s Motion. He said Bank’s amendment had run counter to what Yanchi Richardson and Baird wanted, but he was also inclined to look favourably on Banks’ amendment.

“To tell you the truth, Mr. Speaker, the idea is not a bad idea,” he acknowledged. “The Member for Valley South spoke about a Heroes and Heroines Day. To tell you the truth the Member for Valley South may have a point insofar as the wording of the motion is concerned. The Motion says in the first paragraph ‘it is only right and just for a country to honour its national heroes especially those who have played a leadership role in terms of vision, commitment, resolve and success.’

“Mr. Speaker the Motion does open with plurality when it speaks of heroes so it really puts me in a very difficult position as to which of two versions I should really support; but in principle I support the idea that our revolutionary leader should be singled out for special consideration.”

Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming supported Mr. Banks’ amendment to the Motion saying he believed that the amendment was fitting and right. “I believe that we must not lose sight of the fact that a number of persons contributed to the Anguilla Revolution,” he began. “I have carefully listened to all the contributions made by the member for Road North and I associate myself with them.”
Mr. Fleming went on: “I believe Mr. Speaker that Mr. Webster himself will be annoyed to note that you would honour him alone leaving out the people who supported him and were at his side. I believe that Mr. Webster would say to himself: ‘I don’t want this honour unless you recognise Atlin Harrigan and Bob Rogers, Charlie Fleming, Doreen Duncan, David Webster, Kenneth Harrigan, Todville Harrigan or Miss Joseph, to name a few.’ He would like to have them incorporated in anything that relates to the revolution.”

The Chief Minister added that he therefore supported Bank’s amendment and that “you couldn’t ask for more.”

All of the other members on the Government side of the House, including Minister of Infrastructure Kenneth Harrigan and Parliamentary Secretary, Albert Hughes, supported the amended Motion. It was consequently approved by majority vote.

Meanwhile Mr. Webster, reacting to the matter, commented that there were persons in the leadership of the island who were all mixed up, unable to make up their minds, arrive at a clear decision and were afraid of offending certain factions and associates. He appreciated and thanked Mr. Baird for his Motion and Yanchi Richardson for his thoughtfulness, but stressed that he was not seeking, did not want, and would not accept, any honour, award or title, only wishing instead to be respected.
Furthermore, the revolutionary leader who, in another passing comment, mentioned that Dr. Martin Luther, without recognition for his followers, was honoured with an annual national holiday in the United States, said prayers should be offered for those who departed this life. He added: “It was the Lord who really did it [The Anguilla Revolution] and saved me.” He has brushed aside the matter.

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