When I endorsed the candidature of Palmovan Webster as the Anguilla Progressive Party's candidate for District Number One - Island Harbour and its environs, I used as my theme the word change. This had already been the theme for the APP and was also heard subsequently on the other parties’/independents' rostrums.

Little did I realize the depth and meaning of the word “change” until I read an article in “The Daily Herald" of Wednesday 11th February 2010 written by Dr. Miguel Goede. I was so impressed by this article that I thought it appropriate to include an extract for the general public to have an idea of its meaning and I quote:

WHAT IS CHANGE? “It is a movement toward a desired & sustainable situation.” In order for change to succeed, six things must be in place.

(a) There must be the need for change
(b) A sharp vision of the result of the change
(c) Management or leadership committed to the change
(d) Support of the people involved in the change
(e) Structure or infrastructure to accomplish the change, and
(f) The measure of progress to the change

If any of these are lacking the change will probably fail. Therefore any group undergoing change consists of innovators and laggards. It is important to focus on the former. The latter will always resist change and can be brought around only after the change has already progressed” – end of quote.
I thought that I should include this section of the article in order to emphasize the importance of the habit of reading which I shall deal with later in this later in this article.

Positive Aspects of Electioneering Campaign 2009/10

• The Anguilla Progressive Party’s introduction of the broadcasting of its campaign over radio and the ELECTRONIC MEDIA, thus arousing the youth of Anguilla to become interested in the island’s politics.
This activity, I firmly believe, was a catalyst in influencing the members of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School’s Literary and Debating Society to on their own - (principal and the Chief Education Officer) to engage the political parties and Independent Candidates in eight debates concerning the policies, plans and activities for Anguilla for at least the next five years.
Please allow me to publicly congratulate the participating students as well as all involved in this important exercise for their initiative in becoming an active element in the political debate of Anguilla’s future development. I am convinced that them action has had a profound influence on the outcome of 2010 General Election – THANK YOU THE YOUTH OF ANGUILLA.
The high turn out at the polls islandwide amplified and encouraged the people of Anguilla to come out in their numbers.
• The politics of Anguilla has moved to a higher level than hitherto with issues taking centre stage in the majority of cases.
• In number one constituency – Island Harbour – the electors, having cast their votes, returned to the POND FILL, where the candidates' tents were erected, conversing with each camp where eats were available for cash as there were a number of vendors. There was to my mind a scene of real camaraderie exhibited on the POND FILL.
• Campaigning was over, votes had been cast, and whatever the outcome all of us will have to live in Anguilla. This told me, I hope that Anguillians are maturing politically.

NEGATIVE ASPECTS
• The non-attendance or partial non-attendance of the two senior parties - Anguilla United Front and the Anguilla United Movement. To my mind this action was an affront to our intelligent youth and no cosmetic excuse, in my book, could be satisfactory explanation for their absence at these debates.
• This shows me as an educator (former) that these leaders are not interested in the all round promotion of our Education System, period.
• Character assassination by members of some of the political parties as well as independents.
• An alarming number of alleged bribery cases even in the lines and in the environs of Polling Stations in some of districts during the campaign and on Election Day.
• The need for Electoral Reform immediately to counteract this discreptance as it affects very seriously the democratic progress moving forward.
Education
If conditions are to improve the foregoing has to change early in this New Government’s term of office.
• There needs to be an introduction of civics - what we called in our day Moral Instruction – at Primary Level, then move to Political Science at Secondary Level (Campus B and Campus A). This should be an examination subject in the schools curriculum.
• Reading should be a priority subject in the schools’ curriculum, as all other subjects depend heavily on understanding the various subjects of the curriculum.
• The setting of community councils/constituency cells in every constituency
• Community councils/cells are not only for politics, but organized to assist in other programmes – debates, assisting pupils/students with their homework assignments, story telling and other topics of national interest.
• Ensure the development of sporting facilities in each of the several constituencies on the island and that there are opportunities for purposeful development for the vocational aspects of education.
• I feel very forcefully that at present the less academic child is short –changed, seeing that our economy is primarily based on tourism. To my mind this specific group will continue to be marginalized.

The above, dear reader, are my reflections on Anguilla’s General Elections 15th February 2010 and have expressed them as I have seen them. I look forward with hopeful anticipation to see Anguillians, and the new Government in particular, implement and improve on any other aspects of Anguillian society that needs addressing to the betterment of all.
May I conclude, fellow Anguillians, that we all pray for our new Government that God would bless, protect and guide them in their deliberations in these challenging times. We will be with you all the way with the proviso that you follow the straight road, and if not we will at the next general election reward you according to your stewardship.

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