The meeting started at 7:45 pm at the Slough Methodist Church Hall on Ledgers Road. The Honourable Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming opened the meeting in prayer after the chairman Mr. Claude Brooks gave the welcome. The hall was filled to capacity with over sixty persons present.

The Anguilla Delegation with Anguillians in the UK

Mr. Fleming spoke first and gave a brief overview of his 28 years, nearing 29 years, in politics. He told the audience that he counted it a privilege and took pleasure in coming to meet with them over the last ten years. He said that this was his 10th occasion and although he is not going to contest the next general elections in district 2, he likes England enough to vacation here. He went on the express his gratitude to God Almighty for preserving his life and for extending his mercies under trying times during his illness.

Mr. Fleming then turned his attention to the meetings held in London with the British Government. He explained that the British Government has not given Anguilla any form of financial assistance from 2005 for any projects. Nevertheless, British Auditors do come regularly to the island to make periodic checks guarding against contingent liabilities. Mr. Fleming highlighted the fact that Anguilla was not immuned from the financial crisis now being experienced in the UK. The Chief Minister told the gathering that Anguilla was struck hard in the area of development as a number of projects found themselves in dire circumstances and had to forfeit completion. He highlighted the position of Anguilla prior to said global financial collapse and showed that the country was doing well as a number of Anguillians had returned home to live as well as a number of other Caribbean nationals and further a field. Houses were rented, Government had a surplus, the economy was booming and the list went on as to the progress that was swept away by the sudden impact of the global recession declaring that Government’s administration has little or nothing at all to do with the crisis and hardships now being experienced. Government Revenue Streams dried up instantly and significant decisions were made to cut Government spending which included a cut in salaries. Mr. Fleming said that there is a wide perception across the world that Anguillians do not pay taxes. This is erroneous and a misrepresentation of the truth. Anguillians do not pay direct income taxes but they do share in carrying the financial burdens of the country through indirect taxes. The Chief went on the state that the Anguilla Government was not in London holding out a begging bowl but rather was seeking permission to widen the parameters of the borrowing guidelines to allow for some working space in and to see Anguilla through these difficult and trying times. Mr. Fleming reminded the people that in Britain and in the USA large sums of money were pumped into the economies through the support given to the banks to ensure that the economies did not collapse. He said he will not sit idly by and watch Anguilla go down.

The Anguilla Delegation with Anguillians in the UK

A series of questions were asked by the Anguillians living in Slough including how could Anguillians living in the UK assist the Government in its efforts to garnish support for its varying requests to the FCO? Will the British recommendation of increasing taxes make sense at this time for Anguilla when people are not working? What is Government’s plan for recovery? The Chief Minister, Minister Banks, PS Rogers and Carl Harrigan responded to varying questions and gave an overview of Government’s efforts, challenges and projections of future prospectives. The meeting ended after some two hours of discussions at 9:45 pm.

-Press Release

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