IS OUR CHIEF A TRAGEDY?

The Hon. Hubert Hughes was visiting the ALHCS and was asked by a teacher if he would like to lead the discussion on what constituted a "tragedy". So the AUM leader of government business asked the class for an example of a "tragedy".

One little boy from the Valley stood up and offered: “If Mr. Victor Banks were Chief Minister, the island would have been experiencing good governance, peace, political stability and economic growth. The AUM Administration is a bunch of no-brainers, visionless, and clueless to the hardship of the populace. Isn’t that a tragedy?” “No," said the Hon. Hubert Hughes, "that’s a mistake."

A little girl from Blowing Point raised her hand: "If the Government of Anguilla continue depleting the Social security funds and don’t have a clue how to jumpstart our economy – then most people will die on Anguilla, and that would be a tragedy". "I'm afraid not,” explained the Chief Minister. "That's what we would call a great loss." The room went silent. No other children volunteered.

Mr. Hughes searched the room. "Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?"

Finally, at the back of the room a little chap from Island Harbour raised his hand. In a quiet voice he said: "If the Hon. Edison Baird resigns from your government - wouldn’t it be getting rid of a tragedy?"

"Fantastic!" exclaimed Hubert. "That's right. And can you tell me why that would be a tragedy?" "Well," says the little boy, "it has to be a tragedy, because losing this government would certainly not be a great loss and it probably wouldn't be a mistake."

Our Chief still doesn’t get it.

ANGUILLIANS WALK FOR COMPETENCY

For good reason, many of us have become cynical about what politics can achieve in this country. And as many Anguillians have turned away from politics, we know all too well what's filled the void. It's the incompetence and influence-peddlers with their idiocy... the visionless - the ones who've turned government into a game only they can afford to play.

They think they own this government and for too many people, politics is a bad word. It's not surprising since for many people "politics" means talking heads screaming at each other, or listening to the comedy from Yanchie, Cliffie, Percy, Jossie and Tommy... a deck of Jacks.

We have an opportunity to change that. We're calling it "Walk for Competency in Government”, and its success depends on you. I'M ASKING YOU FOR SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY. I'm asking you to lead a group of supporters in a walk on the Secretariat to let the government know that you are unhappy about their incompetence.

If you agree to organize a walk, we will agree to support you about being part of this movement for competency restoration and good governance on Anguilla. But it can only happen if you're willing to take the leap and put together a "Walk for Competency in Government" on Anguilla.

We are depending on you... Percy Thomas!

ANGUILLA CHARGED WITH DUI

The Hon. Hubert Hughes has suckered many of us before, which is why you should be outraged and ashamed. Never again should you have allowed fear-mongering, unprofessionalism, incompetence and corruption be elected through lies on Anguilla.

We've heard about decades of disunity, hatred, recklessness, emptiness and failures amongst the visionless estranged Anguilla United Movement (AUM); and their prostituted cohabitation specifically concocted to intoxicate the electorate.

Now you have regained soberness; blaming vulnerability. You want to once again feel the pride of knowing that our Chief Minister is truly a well learned, competent and knowledgeable capable individual; and that Anguilla is truly in safe hands.

The reality is my fellow Anguillians – you were intoxicated.

Now Anguilla is driving under the influence (DUI).

BUSTING THE MYTH AND MALICE OF AN INCOMPETENT HUBERT HUGHES

Under the competent hands of an Anguilla United Front (AUF) Administration, we’ve experienced the full restoration of democracy, good governance, peace and political stability with a solid praiseworthy economic performance on Anguilla. However, due to a global recession, economic conditions – poor profit earnings and major financial loses, massive layoffs and companies restructuring - you have now found yourself led by the incompetency of an Anguilla United Movement (AUM) Administration and its influence-peddlers.

Ordinarily reporting to a new boss or leader would not pose a real problem but this time it feels different as management practices have changed. The true meaning of government has been transformed from one of true collaboration, honest dialogue and a commitment to problem solving to one where ferociousness, finger pointing and fear are the norms.

An incompetent administration by definition is an administration whose action destroys unity, instils gossip and innuendoes, encourages fear and deceitfulness, exudes tribalistic disposition, and prevents people from speaking freely. They usually lack vision and initiative, teamwork, accountability, expertise and confidence to resolve conflict.

Congratulations - they are the ones you have entrusted with setting the direction for Anguilla. While it may be true to a certain extent that an unintelligent animal as a Chief Minister is the leader of government’s business, he or she is not directly involved in the daily operations of the affairs of running the country. Those responsibilities also fall squarely on the shoulders of his or her ministerial team under the doctrine of “Joint Cabinet Responsibility”.

Therefore, it is also the lack of “collective leadership” of those other ministerial colleagues - their ineffectiveness on execution and inability to communicate, manage and motivate their teams. If a leader lacks the competency to manage his or her team, then team morale diminishes, productivity and performance drop, Anguilla derails and ultimately fails.

What’s worse is the fact that our system of governance has no “real remedy” to rid the country of every single under-performing minister of government – Civil Servants included. However, as unfortunately as that may seems, the reality is that in many cases, high-performing mid-level employees are first shown the door, while ineffective leaders and/or managers; the ones who really need to take a hike – remain.

Leaders must be fit-for-purpose; and if we as a people are not prudent enough to independently elect competent leadership going forward - then let it be done majestically - in essence, colonially eliminating this present level of embarrassment on Anguilla as a necessary evil.

The truth is that “incompetent leaders” have always existed and will continue to exist despite the best efforts from us to detect and shame them. The sad reality is most incompetent political leaders do not get fired; they just move on and reinvent themselves in new administrations. The chance that you will suffer under the same leader or someone like them again is great – hence we have the Hon. Hubert Hughes.

“A king, realizing his incompetence, can either delegate or abdicate his duties. A father can do neither. If only sons could see the paradox, they would understand the dilemma” - Marlene Dietrich.

Lord God... lead us!