The events of the past weeks will have long and negative impact on how Anguilla is perceived in the wider global context as well as the ability for either local or expatriate businesses to conduct business here. The closer one scrutinizes those events it becomes clear that there was and is a complete failure of responsible reporting and a misplaced notion of what is leadership. Let me say clearly and emphatically that I fully subscribe to the freedom of expression enshrined in our Constitution but as in the case of any right or freedom, the expression must be exercised responsibly. However, as these events play out, the actors are reminiscent of a Roman Mob. Everyone has their own issue, many do not know or understand why they are there and most importantly they act without regard for the consequences. This article will seek to illustrate the dangers associated with mob behaviour and to offer some sober reflections on the consequences and alternatives.

The events to which I refer grew out of a concern that the Indian labor and the Viceroy Project were working for substandard wages. That concern was brought to the attention of the elected officials who to their credit worked very hard to find a solution which was acceptable to those concerned. Notwithstanding their efforts, there continues to be an incessant drum beat on the public airways and in mass gatherings for the Government and in particular for the Chief Minister to resign. In addition, threats have been made that failure to follow the dictates of this group will lead to further unrest in the country. The persons making those demands fail to recognize or conveniently ignore that the same Constitution that gives them the right to express their views also provides for the orderly transition of the Government.

Our Constitutional process worked as intended in the 1999 AUP/ADP coalition government breakdown. You may recall that the Hon. Victor Banks chose to leave the coalition in May 1999 effectively creating a situation of a minority government. To be fair and accurate the Opposition as can be expected called for the Government to resign and for new and fresh elections to be held, however, those calls went unheeded. There were various legal challenges to the actions of the Speaker of the House of Assembly who ruled that the absence of the Opposition from the scheduled meetings of the House (which now included Mr. Banks) resulted in the lack of a quorum thereby preventing the House from being called in session. As a result, no budget could be approved and the Government was constitutionally unable to spend any money thus forcing the Government to eventually dissolve the House and set a date for elections. This is how we change Governments, not through Roman Mob tactics.

Current political calculations as to the popularity of leaders are never the reason for change in democratic societies. At the moment we are witness to a U.S. President who has less than 30% popular support and the U.S. Congress with even less. In Britain, Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister faced much the same reality but exited in a planned and orderly manner. Yet one did not see mobs in those countries demanding the respective governments to resign. What you do see is any number of aspiring candidates gearing up for the next election. Our local aspirants should do the same. I urge them to organize themselves and vigorously present their case to the people. At that time the people will decide.

Our radio media has failed the public trust as licensees of the public airways. As licensees of the public airways, broadcasters are obliged to present balanced views of current events. Instead, we have witnessed day after day in forum after forum the same cast of characters. There is no effort that I am aware of to seek out contrary views or opinion. My view is that broadcasters have the affirmative obligation to seek out a cross section of views on issues so that the public receives information on which rational decision making can be based. Moderators of these programs should also be held to high standards to ensure that the privilege bestowed upon them is not abused. Perhaps the time has come to institute some form of the Fairness Doctrine which must be adhered to in order to obtain a broadcast license.

This abuse of public trust is having a far reaching impact. In today’s electronic world, local broadcasts have the potential of reaching a worldwide audience. Events which hitherto were for local consumption are now available to the entire global village via the internet. It is not too difficult to imagine how we as a country and a people will be viewed given the content of some of these broadcasts. Our slogan of “Tranquility Wrapped in Blue” which has been used effectively in the past to lure travelers to our shores has in no small measure resulted in the standard of living which we as Anguillians enjoy. Certain Anguillian behaviour is making the slogan into a joke. The common notion among the protestors is only against the Government and its development policies. The reality is much different. The fact is that we are dependent on tourism which is a culture of development. This is our only industry and from this the macro economic effects are obviously on hotel workers, taxi drivers, clerks, professionals and businesses. A negative image such as that broadcasted daily may very well dispel visitors of notion of “Tranquility” which has been the magnet of the tourism industry thus far. We must stop, think and realize that Anguilla is not the only venue to which visitors and developers are attracted to. God forbid that we create a situation that other islands such as St. Croix have experienced and been unable to recover from in 35 years. If this is not the objective, we must examine our behaviour.

It is clear that the protagonists have leadership aspirations. Let me say emphatically that such aspirations are commendable provided they understand what leadership is, its obligations, trials and tribulations. Leadership has been construed to mean a drive and devotion to inspire others to reach for the best in life. This is truly a positive and inspirational definition. It does not for one moment include the destruction of a way of life that most people in this island have come to expect and enjoy without offering any other viable alternative. This is no time to project a distorted reality in Anguilla to the rest of the world. Neither is it the time for irrelevant pejorative attacks on the leadership many of which have no basis in fact. New leaders must explain how they plan to maintain and expand the relative economic security we enjoy.

Anguilla is full of opportunities for persons anxious to assert leadership qualities and thereby make a positive impact on society. We have a growing group of dysfunctional juveniles who sorely need mentoring; communities need to be organized to combat criminality; our island which gives us so much, needs to be cleaned up; children are being allowed to graduate who are functionally literate; we need to support out teachers in their tasks of educating our children; we need to promote civility and decency which used to be our hallmark. Unfortunately, it is easier and more attractive to engage in trumpeting the real or perceived negative aspects and sadly to say it works. I have a rule that I never discuss a problem with a person who does not propose a solution. I would truly hope that when the time comes to choose the men and women who will lead us for the coming years that we judge them by the solutions they propose to advance the society as opposed to name calling and telling us what is so wrong with everything.

To those who bear the heavy burden of leadership, I say have courage. I have not agreed with some of your actions at times but I have always felt you deserved my respect as the elected leadership of everyone on this island. As I thought about writing this article, the trials and tribulations of Moses remained a constant in my thoughts. Despite leading the Israelites out of Egypt and four hundred years bondage they too became an angry mob and turned against him and God. My sense is that leaders must be prepared to accept at times the ungratefulness of their people no matter how valiantly they have strived to rule for the common good. Like Moses you too will make mistakes. However, as long as you admit your mistakes and learn from them, I daresay you can count on the support of most Anguillians.

In conclusion it is my hope that we Anguillians give proper thought to the consequences of our actions. We have to become civil in our discourse and remember we share this 35 sq. mile rock for better or for worse. We can only have one Government at a time and we are obligated to make that Government work for all the people. For those who aspire to leadership just look around and you will find that you will be able to make your Case in much more positive ways. I learned long ago the more you shout the less people listen. God bless.

From a Concerned Citizen

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