HUBERTISM: Spiritual, An Illusion, Egotistical, Ignoramus And Childish... A New Religion formed On Anguilla... AND JESUS WEPT...

...Let Us Pray! 

The Anguilla United Front was alarmed by a letter dated September 21, 2012 from the newly installed Chairman of the Constitutional and Electoral Reform Committee, Rev. John A. Gumbs, in which he sought to encourage our participation in that committee. The specific section of that letter reads as follows: “the terms of reference given to our committee is to prepare a Constitution for Independence. I have been given powers to co-opt.” Once again it appears that the Government of Anguilla is using this Committee to advance its well known “independence agenda”. And once again the AUF must challenge the AUM/APP Government despite the harsh and demeaning comments we have received from its supporters on such occasions. 

Previously in a letter dated September 3, 2012, Rev. Gumbs had invited our party (AUF) to name a representative to serve on this newly revamped Committee. In our Chairman’s reply, on September 6, 2012, he asked a number of questions as a means of determining whether or not the AUF would accept that invitation. Obviously, Rev. Gumbs was responding to the particular question we raised, namely,:“Does the government wish to craft recommendations in the proposed new draft which seek to create a framework that enables a move to independence and if so at what point will the people be allowed to speak on this via referendum?”

A recurring theme of the Chief Minister; his colleagues; his advisors and diehard supporters over the last two and a half years has been that the solution to all our woes is to move directly into independence. For this reason the AUF made its position clear in its letter dated February 23, 2012 to Rev. Dr. H. Clifton Niles, the former Chairman of the Committee, on the issue of independence. The AUF letter stated as follows: “If, after appropriate consultation and education on the pros and cons of independence, our people decide to vote yes for independence, then the AUF will join with the Government of Anguilla in agreeing a time table for independence and lend its full support to the educational process. For the record, however, it should be known that while we call for a referendum in order to ascertain the views of the people, the AUF does not support independence for Anguilla at this time but we are in full support of a well thought-through educational process on the pros and cons of independence.”

Our outrage at Rev. Gumbs’ statement is therefore consistent with the position we have held over the years. We refuse to be associated with this Constitutional and Electoral Reform Committee because the Chief Minister and his Government have not received any mandate from Anguillians to “prepare a Constitution for Independence”. We are therefore simply reaffirming our position that before we participate in such an exercise an island-wide referendum must be conducted. 

For some time now it appears that the Government has been trying to usurp the democratic process by “fast tracking” its Independence agenda. In fact a number of AUM supporters of the legal persuasion have been heard to say that there is no requirement for conducting a referendum. To substantiate this position they quote some spurious provision in the 1967 St Kitts-Nevis Anguilla Associated Status agreement. And most likely to achieve a similar objective, one of the AUM representatives to the UN Committee Conference on Decolonization included in her report that support for Independence in Anguilla is widespread to include even members of the Opposition. 

This latest tactic by the Government must therefore be widely challenged or else many Anguillians may be misled into accepting that there is need for a swift response to this issue. If we do not do so, our rights as Anguillians to have an informed say in the way the process is conducted could very well be compromised. The AUF feels compelled to note that no other British Overseas Territory in our region is adopting this AUM/APP approach. In the circumstances we fail to understand why the Government of Anguilla is in such a rush to take us down a path without first seeking our consent.

The AUF is therefore calling on the Chief Minister and his AUM/APP colleagues to take the proper and democratic course and conduct a referendum at once --- if it is indeed their intention to advance this “fast track” Independence schedule. We emphatically maintain that the people must decide!

Public Information Division

Anguilla United Front

September 25, 2012

ANGUILLA GOVERNMENT DESECRATION OF ITS FLAG IS A DISGRACE!

National Flag of Anguilla (Dolphins)

I, Carl PROVENZAL of Water Swamp, a belonger of Anguilla, business owner, with no political nor animal activist motives, was alerted through hundred of critics in blogs, internet sites, travel forums, emails and newspapers from here and Sint-Maarten relevant to our newly opened facility Dolphin fantasy/discovery in Blowing Point. How can we move forward on a project if so much people are against it? Some people were mentioning the symbol of our three dolphins representing unity, strength, endurance, and obviously freedom, a certain pride, now enclosed and captive and displayed at first sight where visitors arrive. Being concerned, I took it upon myself to research and verify some of the many crucial statements being written.

1. I WISH we had a real public meeting, involving all parties and not only the ones concerned in Blowing point. A fair chance should be given to the public in order to voice out and decide on this national matter. We deserve a presentation of the benefits and of the negative impacts on the location and more knowledge on the international reviews on this type of business for Anguilla.

2. I WISH more investigations were made on the Environmental Impact statement presented twice to the Government of Anguilla in 2007 and 2011, and twice, after reviewing the document, the Anguilla National Trust did express concerns on many points which were not taken in consideration for the approval of the business license and construction.

3. I WISH the business case with a location in Blowing Point was the best of choice. Business wise, for Anguilla, this project is very poor, due to its location and will not meet the need for more sightseeing, more car rentals, more taxi hired, more tours, restaurant and hotel stays. As our Sustainable Master Tourism Plan indicates, we must intensify and extend the stay of our visitors in order to increase the income per visitor which is opposite of what will be happening. The site needs to be relocated so all the tourism actors can benefit from it and Anguilla on a whole.

Busy ferry boat terminal at Blowing Point, just a few feet 

away from dolphins in captivity

4. I WISH we did not hand over one of the only two beachfront accesses of Crown land patrimony, stated as national parks and available for the public recreational use. Sandy Point and its public land have a history of Anguillians family reunions, with picnicking and swimming on this beach. It is an Anguillian heritage. A lease or purchase agreement from private parties would have been more beneficial, which would suggest a real involvement by Dolphin Discovery in Anguilla to preserve our public area for the Anguillian community.

5. I WISH the project was not so close to our main port of entry, involving oil, fuel, waste and noise which will trigger visitors’ attention as tourists will ask if the dolphins are safe near the port, especially being downward from it. Questions bring other questions and other topics and create blogs and more discussion, affecting Anguilla image on a short and long term. I wish the Environmental Impact statement made to allow the project to be constructed at Sandy Point was covering something regarding the living conditions of the dolphins near the port, which would have satisfied concerns of the critics.

6. I WISH we did not allow a business activity involving live animals next to the future expansion of our port facility and creation of a marina with 125 boats capacity, and construction of hotel and stores planned for 2015 (described in our Sustainable Master Plan of tourism) which will increase the doubts about the safe location for the dolphins during construction and during normal day operation.We worked on the master plan of tourism after the 2007 attempt for Sandy Point.Why we did not plan a better location knowing about the port and marina project? And then reacted in 2011. Since no kind of report or assessment about the pollution effect on the dolphins has been requested, there is to this date no kind of information which could confirm the well being of the dolphins next to a very active port involving waste and other agents. The project is not viable next to a much polluting port.

His Excellency the Governor - 

Royal and vice regal Flag of Anguilla (Dolphins)

7. I WISH some research was done on market trends and public opinion worldwide toward capture, entertaining and trade of dolphins/Orcas,which our main high-end visitors are against to.It has been dramatically highlighted in recent years with people and governments speaking out more to protect these mammals. The dolphin in captivity business is banned in many countries already and in process to be a general motion for every country on behalf of our environment. Organizations and scientists have increased public awareness, largely due to the internet but also more films and documentaries, directors and producers, news and award shows are donating their time to speak out through public service announcements and ad campaigns against animal abuse.

Government of Anguilla
Coat of Arms (Dolphins)

How will we be impacted in 2012/2013, when the economy is still struggling, as we open new doors and expose ourselves to negative publicity? Our niche market of mid and upper market customers are now more ECO-TOURISM oriented. Will this stain our image knowing the market we need? Will opening this type of business attract exposure as Anguilla supporting animals in captivity from an international standpoint?

8. National Sustainable Master Plan of Tourism 2010/2020: “We are a premier Caribbean destination” “cultural heritage and environment” “Anguilla must reinforce its position in the market as an exclusive, high quality beach destination but differentiated from competitors through its offering of a unique holiday/vacation experience in a natural environment, and its distinct cultural heritage”.The product must reflect a 5 Stars experience which means increased investment in all aspects of the tourism product.”

Therapeutic... PRICELESS!

... for every thing else there is the MasterCard!

The Five stars experience involve very known persons of the world of finance, of the media, actors, entertainers, singers, politicians, businessmen, those with assets coming freely or sometimes invited to upscale Anguilla image.They could view our entrance to our country as a pictorial representation of a Swim with the Dolphins in Captivity. Our customers are the ones campaigning against what we are about to push forward. The type of business, the quality of its presentation and location can alert these V.I.Ps and provoke a reversed result.The way it’s been explained, the way the business is designed right now is a win situation for Dolphin Discovery and a highly potential risk for our image. The day they walk out, we are the ones facing the blames and critics, just like in 2007. As written in the Sustainable Master Plan for Tourism, Anguilla has built its clientele by word-of-mouth those who come here, for years referred by friends and families, word-of-mouth is the main source of our existing advertising/marketing strategy. We must be aware of our dependency on this type of tourism, mid and high end, and we should be very careful on the way we want Anguilla to be seen. We cannot afford to gain 15 jobs on Blowing Point and lose 100 jobs in our high-end tourist products, and slowly drift down to worst times. It is understood that the sale of 2 properties of Cul de Sac, were cancelled due to the approval of the dolphin project, which is roughly a loss of USD 500.000 to USD650,000 for transfer tax revenue. Consequences will arise more and more.

Japanese fisherman haul slaughtered dolphins from

the bloodied water in Taiji Cove  

9. SOLUTIONS: The idea of this appeal is to avoid Anguilla having to suffer from the criticism from visitors or international press, and presenting a more efficient, “Thought it through project benefiting Anguilla, at an environmental and educational level. We need a better and more upscale Swim with Dolphins program.The proposed solution would be to accept this business in Anguilla with conditions and drastic changes. Relocated to a wider site, deeper site, with more interaction with a larger natural site where dolphins will be in ECO-FRIENDLY surroundings, enabling a more natural type of encounter which could fit our market and have it be seen as a “Green” solution matching the Sustainable Master Plan for Tourism. Also, more cultural presentations with a firm and sincere financial involvement from Dolphin Discovery to support the protection of our local species and other natural sites. This will be seen as very proactive and as a victorious decision for the government of Anguilla, and of course Anguilla as a whole. Dolphins Discovery Caribbean Properties are investors and will generate heavy income in Anguilla. We must obligate them to have a proper project in place fitting our needs, the market needs and the Dolphins needs.

Revolutionary Flag of Anguilla (1967 - 1969)... still
accepted as the official (to be) flag of Anguilla - (Dolphins) 

We could brand ourselves and gain much needed positive publicity, being seen as an island respecting the environment and its habitats. Reviving our mid class tourism forward to Eco-friendly activities and sightseeing. Anguillians would be respected throughout the world, for the efforts we make towards the turtles protection, the national bird, our associations with sailing, and implementation of environmental impact studies on each and every building projects coming along. Anguilla must be a pioneer in environmental decisions in order not to repeat others mistakes and be a mentor for other islands. We started we an agreement on renewable energy with Anglec, and we need to continue. Until then, each day we operate this business in Sandy Point, each day is a risk for us to have very bad publicity. Much more jobs can be created by a “clean project”, it is still time to react and do the right thing.

I was not involved in the early negotiations but I was surprised by the approved license last month, then the beginning of business operation few days later, then of the public announcement about the possibility to appeal? A situation very confusing and complicated. This letter might not be strong enough and persuasive for the Government of Anguilla to reconsider the grant of license but I know that I have done my part in this process to find a better solution. I wish the people of Anguilla had a chance to be informed rightfully with correct information about the possible consequences of such activity on our image, so we could decide fairly on this national matter and educate ourselves about the negative and positive consequences. I fully understand the risks standing up to powerful entities. As soon I started seeking for more information and seek for a dialogue I was warned not to bring attention by this state of affairs, but my position in expressing disapproval is not for personal interest or gain. We are all free to express our doubts on matters involving the future of a nation. The Respect to each other and to our environment is now a matter of survival. Once we know better we can act better, and the ones not reacting and able to get it right and refuse to, will be held responsible. “If You learn late, you pass it on to people so they can learn early, it is step process” - Russel Simmons

THE ANGUILLA GENOCIDE... the deliberate and systematic destruction by the Government of Anguilla of its own people.

Chief Minister Hughes legally insane as Caricom
Heads of States scheduled concern visit.   

STRANGE COINCIDENCE: Few weeks ago, on the radio, our Chief Minister bashed/accused the British people and the Governor for Sabotage of every single projects, entities, in Anguilla. He Also accused the British/Governor for GENOCIDE towards Anguillians. In Recent HISTORY, GENOCIDE was the most infamous way of killing people, whenever it was ethnic related, religious related, race related. I notice the disrespect of this word in his usage. On August 27th, a comment was made by Anguillian Transparency and spread out to almost 2000 walls on Facebook as : "Who is Carl Provenzal? He is the one man who has come to the shores of Anguilla, enter into a prearranged marriage to attain status and then promise the people of Anguilla he will do everything possible to bring the country to its knees and make the people poor. Seem as if he is living up to his promise. He reminds us of the promises Adolf Hitler made in his book when he promised to get rid of the Jews. Noone took him serious until he did it. Carl is Anguilla's economic Hitler. Government need to vet persons such as this economic terrorist and propaganda specialist who learned at the feet of Dr. Joseph Goebbels" 

Is it a coincidence this style of accusing people with the same tone, using the same historical references? Who could be Anguillian Transparency for bashing me personally after an altercation with the Chief Minister's son? I Hope it is not related... anyway, Mr Anguillian Transparency, hiding being a Facebook page, the fact of being a legal immigrant in a country allows me to get involve in any matters able to affect my future and the people's future, in the same country. The fact to have built large businesses and participated to the economy of this country, allows me to voice-out (Tell me how much you have invested in your own country as a born "Anguillian"). The fact of being the father of 3 young Anguillians and loving this country strongly increase this involvement and the need to voice-out. And finally, the fact of being a PRO-ACTIVE and INTOLERANT person for misuse of power, oppression, misleading, not in phase with the people evolution in their rights, allows me to voice out where ever in the world, including Anguilla. I can and will voice-out an issue with Education, Security, Tourism, Immigration, specially when it is obviously wrong. I am apolitical but follow whoever can have a people progressing. I do not hold what I have to say, specially if it is critical, and I am not afraid of losing any material assets for the benefits of people's advancement. That is why I am who I am. I don't slander people name, I challenge them openly to seek for responses and reactions... that is Democracy.

By:  Carl Provenzal

ANGUILLIANS REMANDED IN CUSTODY - NEXT BAIL HEARING 2015. MEANWHILE, SIX CRIMINALS (Hubert, Walcott, Evan, Eddie, Jerome and Haydn) ARE STILL ON THE LOOSE...

“TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATER!”

Anguilla's Chief  Minister, The Hon. Hubert B. Hughes

It is exactly two and a half years since the Anguilla United Movement ascended to office as the duly elected Government of Anguilla. This means that they are now at the halfway point of their term. They were swept into office on a platform of lies; the promise of openness, transparency, good governance, integrity; and the pledge that they could turn the economy around in three months with what may now be characterized as “an invisible plan”. Their supporters were overjoyed by the victory and genuinely felt they now had a change that would improve their lot and put Anguilla on a path to stability, progress and prosperity.

As the party then in opposition, the Anguilla United Front (AUF) pledged that we would give the new Government the opportunity to govern --- but that we would not be “muzzled” from rising to the defense of our supporters and the people of Anguilla as a whole --- if and when it became necessary. One such occasion arose just a few weeks after the AUM came into office, when it was discovered that its new Anguilla Social Security Board was considering moving the Fund’s deposits from the two indigenous banks to the international commercial banks on the island. As the AUF Leader, I addressed the matter in a press release and later through articles in the Anguillian Newspaper. The attention that I brought to that issue is believed to have caused the new Social Security Board not to pursue its decision and that success strengthened my resolve to use the print media as a means of registering my views on Government’s decisions and actions. I could have chosen other platforms, like the “blogs” and the other social media to do so --- but I decided that as a matter of principle I would continue to do what I have done in politics all my life: “Speak the truth and be fair in the statements I make!” I would not descend to using the cloak of social media, where many people post irresponsible statements and lies in a very cowardly and dishonest manner. Anything I have written in the Anguillian Newspaper is under my own name; I am fully responsible for what I have written --- and I remain prepared to stand fully behind the statements I have made. However, if unwittingly, I misrepresent the truth and anyone --- I am fully aware of the recourse to legal action that is available to them!

I soon realized, however, that the “platform of lies” that catapulted the AUM to office had become a “best practice” strategy for them as a new Government and in particular for the Chief Minister. I was therefore forced to point out a wide range of conflicting and incongruous statements that he has been using to consolidate his support and that also became “talking points” for his key supporters and some of his more callous advisors. For example, he said”

• … that no one could force him to introduce taxation yet he commissioned a revenue study and proceeded to claim that the taxes imposed were not his --- but rather British taxes.

• … that the AUF was giving away revenue to investors by MOAs but he did not mention the new streams of revenue over the longer term that were also a part of these same MOAs .

• … that the AUF left his Government in deficit but he did not mention that they had built up total reserves of over $62 million while at the same time building some of the best roads and seaport facilities in the region.

• … that he found the government almost $200 million in debt but he did not point out that it is the lowest in the region (of course Montserrat excluded) and there was a plan on the table to manage it.

• … that the AUF Government was seeking permission to borrow to meet recurrent requirements --- which is the exactly what his Government has been doing since it came into office.”

•  … that the Governor controls Executive Council yet he was able to extract EC$40,000 for himself without the Governor’s support for a questionable telephone bill that was incurred some 12 years ago.

I have built up a well-documented file of relevant issues over the last two and a half years through my articles. And as a result I can now refer to them as things unfold and show that they have been factual, analytical and even prophetic. Sadly though, I have receive much criticism for my writing because it appears that there is either a genuine lack of understanding of the meaning of “freedom of expression” or a warped belief that “freedom expression” is the unique privilege belonging to diehard AUM supporters.

I strive in my weekly commentaries to present a balanced account of the Government’s performance over its term and they illustrate how that they have been stumbling from crisis to crisis over that period. I want to remind you of a few such occurrences: -

• The Government orchestrated a “hostile takeover” of ANGLEC with the new Social Security Board by trying to politicize the Board of Directors, apparently, so as to put forward the party agenda without following proper governance procedures.

• The Government allowed its junior members, namely, the Parliamentary Secretary and the Elected Member for East End, to negotiate a new MOU with Cap Juluca, which had the effect of giving the Developer back pond lands, beachfront resources, and other national assets belonging to the GOA and people of Anguilla.

• The Chief Minister allowed the Parliamentary Secretary alone to negotiate an MOU with Starwood Capital Group on the purchase of the Viceroy Resort. The Parl. Sec. did so and had the Chief Minister sign it on Starwood stationery without Executive Council authorization.

• The Chief Minister with the assistance of the Parliamentary Secretary stirred up civilian protests by claiming that the Governor had asked him to resign immediately and call fresh elections. He then proceeded to establish the groundwork for a movement for independence.

• The Chief Minister signed a document authorizing the Social Security Board to borrow US $200 million from a relatively unknown financial institution and secured the loan against present and future Social Security Funds. All of this without Executive Council approval and the required authorization of the House of Assembly.

• The Chief Minister’s inability to make the case for more time to balance the budget and come up with sound proposals as to how he intended to retire the deficit and restore fiscal and economic stability, led to a bitter budgetary dispute. During which period he took no responsibility for the new tax measures.

• The Chief Minister encouraged workers from Cap Juluca to march to the Governor’s Office to petition the Governor in support of Mr. Hickox. He is now in dispute with the same Mr. Hickox who he convinced the workers to be the most qualified person to take over the project.

While these examples may not be exhaustive, they illustrate the pointless battles, which continue to obstruct “real progress” … as well as the Chief Minister’s blatant disregard for good governance. The fact is that while we hear many of his supporters making the claim that “we need Hubert to deal with the British” --- the record and history have proven irrefutably, that Mr. Hughes has never, I repeat never, gotten anything positive out of the British with his approach --- except of course his own political demise. On the other hand the record of our Government in terms of its relationship with the British has been one of mutual respect and partnership in the governance process and that led to many positive and constructive outcomes.

So while the last two and a half years have full of criticisms of the past Government and its management of the economy --- actually the present Government must thank the Anguilla United Front for the visionary initiatives from which it has benefitted up to today --- two and a half years later. Let me name a few: -

• The AUF created a vibrant economy as a result of a deliberate plan to attract private sector investment, which created thousands of jobs and business opportunities leading to the building up of a substantial Social Security Fund. The present Government has used this fund as a source of financing for its budgetary shortfalls. Without this facility the Government would have been hard-pressed to meet many of its commitments when it came to Office. They literally “milked” the Social Security Fund.

• The AUF initiated the Policy Based Loan (PBL) from the Caribbean Development Bank that has enabled the present Government to consolidate its loans and manage its debt obligations with more sustainable arrangements. Without this loan the Government would not have been able to satisfy its borrowing needs and reduce its debt service.

• The AUF established a separate Inland Revenue Department along with appropriate IT support systems to create more effective revenue collection. Without this integrated tax collection system the present Government would not have been unable to get accurate data on the performance of the economy and make informed fiscal decisions.

• The AUF signed on to the Caribbean Catastrophic Risk Insurance Fund (CCRIF) to ensure that Anguilla had a facility that can provide a source of guaranteed assistance in the event of a natural disaster. Without this assistance in the amount of 4.3 million US dollars, Hurricane Earl would have placed considerably more stress on this already struggling economy. Those funds are still been used today on several projects.

• The AUF, despite some objection from the present Chief Minister while in Opposition, provided ways and means to facilitate the timely completion of the Viceroy Resort. The AUF also insisted that there was need for more than one major project to allow for more certainty in the delivery of new jobs and business opportunities in the operational phase. That property can now accommodate over six hundred guests and almost as many employees. Without the Viceroy Resort, the failure of the Flag would have had a more disastrous effect on our economy.

• The AUF decided as a part of its tourism access strategy to improve the pier facilities at the Blowing Point, as a result even as we await a more modern terminal building the facility provides an entrance for more than sixty percent of all passenger arrivals to Anguilla. Without the improvements to the pier facilities the impact of the decision of our main carriers to reduce flights to Anguilla would have been devastating to our tourism industry.

• The AUF decided to expand the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (formerly Wallblake Airport) to facilitate larger commercial carriers and more direct private jet arrivals into Anguilla. Now even in the midst of the recession, we have been recording weekly private jet landings into Anguilla of up to some fifty movements a day. Without this expansion Anguilla would not have been able to facilitate this new trend in air travel and the upper end Tourists that visit our island. And we would still have been waiting for Hubert’s “pie-in-the sky” Airport in Brimegin.

The truth is that the Chief Minister and his colleagues have not brought any new ideas to the table for “fixing” this economy. We the members of the Anguilla United Front are proud of the contribution of our Government because even as we speak it is assisting the present Government to survive this challenging period.

But in the midst of all of this the Government led by the Chief Minister continues to construct a series of conspiracy theories so as to take no responsibility for anything that has gone wrong since he ascended Office. He paints a deliberate picture of a pattern of sabotage being directed against him by successive British Governments and seems to have no problem rewriting history to prove it.

The arrangements/agreements between the Government and the Temenos and the Viceroy Projects have been the subject of island wide discussion. If the transparency with which this Government purports to cloak itself were “disrobed” a number of matters may well justify further examination. For example, the question has been raised to me as to why it is that the Chief Minister’s sons appear to be receiving an inordinate share of the limited opportunities in the construction sector? Or what is the story on the land leased by Government to one of the CM’s tenants to build a shopping mall in the Spring Path area? Who is the actual owner of that shopping mall? Who is building and/or financing it? I will not comment on the validity of these statements and queries but I can say that they warrant investigation.

The United Front Government granted concessions so as to attract investment in the economy at a time when we were in a recession. And in keeping with the AUF’s support of good governance principles all of those concessions were approved in EXCO after negotiations with the Tourism Investment Committee (TIC). They were not negotiated in a corner at Da’vida’s and signed by our CM without authorization from Executive Council. The seriousness of those actions by the AUF Government officials cry out for some form if inquiry --- according to Minister Walcott there seems a “stench” coming from the head of the fountain.

What I have been constructing is a pattern of style, approach and attitude that is not delivering the goods of the people of Anguilla during this period of global financial crisis. And I wish to point out that the situation does not have to be so! According to our 2012 Calypso Monarch, “Shea Shea”: “We can do better than that!” The Chief Minister and his Government have failed in their responsibility to the people they were elected to represent. In fact they appear clueless as to how to fix the present situation. They seem to take comfort in being able to blame everyone else. They seem to believe that confrontation and incivility is a mark of good leadership. They seem to believe that lies, half-truths and innuendoes is a “best practice” to consolidate their authority and their right to govern. But this is neither what the people of Anguilla voted for nor deserve!

The Government needs to stop acting like “little cry babies”. Whenever the Chief Minister receives a letter from the British Government or the Governor he runs on the radio complaining: “look wah di Governor do we!”.

It is time for Chief Minister to “man up!” Take the issues by the horns! The British Government has its opinion --- you are entitled to yours. And since we all know what everyone’s objective must be, namely, to restore stability. Show us your plan! And stop being a crybaby!

The unique circumstances of Anguilla must be made clear to FCO officials. Britain is a modern country with all the social and financial “safety nets” to provide for the indigent; the unemployed; bankrupt businesses; and struggling financial institutions. On the other hand, Anguilla is an open economy heavily impacted by issues of external origin and we depend on the strength of the markets outside of Anguilla to which we sell our products and services. There are serious limits to the amount of trimming of expenditure and increases in tax revenues we can absorb. These are points that need to be made strongly to the British authorities in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Not cussing! As a Government the AUF faced the same challenges and we found this approach most effective. I am sure that the senior technicians in the public service are making these points --- but they must also be coming from our elected officials.

But what is further lacking in this Government’s strategy is an awareness that the private and the public sector must work hand in hand, especially in times like these. The AUM came to office with an adversarial approach to most developers (local and expatriate) because they never seemed to understand that the investments that these developers are making create jobs and business opportunities. And since our competition is regional and even international --- as a Government we must make it worthwhile for investors to participate in our country’s development. Companies invest in a country because they see it as a good business opportunity --- not for philanthropy but for profit. As a Government we have to help them to be profitable so as to increase economic activity. Such activity creates more taxable income and as a consequence more Government revenues.

Since the Government came to office all we have been hearing about is taxation and expenditure controls. Taxation and expenditure management are only two sides of the development equation. That equation has many sides. And one of the most important is private sector investment --- be it local investment or foreign direct investment both are critical. It is time for the Government to direct the FCO’s attention away from “taxing a dead economy”. We should be asking the FCO to direct us to their Department of Trade and Commerce so as to help us to design programs to attract qualified British and European investors for a number of our failed projects or provide financing for qualified local projects.

Our Government just before we demitted office put in place legislation to assist Anguillian families with large landholdings to hold on to their undivided property and place it in corporate entities that can empower them to participate equitably in major development ventures. That is a Government taking charge! And guess what? This Government sought to frustrate the local beneficiaries of this critical assistance that we secured for them. It took a legal challenge to uphold it.

Before this economic downturn our Government was able to deliver EC$ 70 million in road construction; 9 million in school construction; 13 million in seaport development; 50 million in training; 20 million in land acquisition for the future; 70 million in airport expansion and relocation; and 65 million in reserves just to name a few areas. That is a total of almost EC$300 million in direct public sector development. But in addition, we were able to attract almost a billion US dollars in foreign direct investment. All this was not achieved by accident --- it was by a studied approach designed to make our island the best that it could be with the resources with which God has blessed us. As well as the industry, ingenuity, civility and pride that has brought us respect as a people at home and abroad over the years.

But the crux of my address here today is to question whether the Government will continue in this second part of its term in the same vein as in the first. Will we continue to hear the blame game being played out? Will they still not take responsibility for their actions? Will they continue to destroy the investment climate with loose talk from the Leader of Government business? Will we continue to be told that Independence is the panacea for all the challenges we face? Can we survive another two and a half years of this style, attitude and approach? And the key question: “Are you my people satisfied with the performance of the Government over the past two and a half years?”

In the light of these present circumstances our party is being called upon to begin an assertive campaign. I have been elected as the Political Leader and my record in part includes that of the past administration. It is a record of which I am extremely proud. I have served as district 4 representative for 25 yrs in the Anguilla House of Assembly, 16 years of which period I was the Minister of Finance. This was only possible through the support of the people of Valley South, for which I am eternally grateful. During this period of time Mr Hughes was relentless in his demonization of me. He characterised me as corrupt and accused me of misconduct and criminal wrong doing. These accusations grew to an all time high during the last election campaign and continued until this day by both Mr. Hughes, his colleagues in government and some of their supporters. The destruction of my character no doubt played a key role in my defeat during the last election and led to the passionate chant among a number of “innocent bystanders” that: “You got to get rid of Victor!”. In coming to Office they continue their abuse using the shelter of “parliamentary privilege” to do so.

On reflection, I admit that I am in part to blame for allowing these false accusations to take root in the minds of Anguillians, to the point that the accusations were believed to be true. I take some blame because I never sought to defend myself or respond to these accusations aggessively. I mis-judged my people because after Mr. Hughes publicly apologized to myself and my colleague Osbourne in 1999 and also paid our legal costs. I did not believe that anyone would give Mr. Hughes any credibility for these false statements after his apology over Radio Anguilla and in the Anguillian Newspaper.

I must draw to your attention the fact that Mr Hughes and his Government were in power for two and a half years now. We must therefore accept that the members of the elected government and their advisers would have gone through all their records in great detail. We must also accept that if any evidence was found to exist to prove me guilty of any of these baseless accusations they would have been happy to have me arrested and charged by this time. Be that as it may I am still here ready, willing and competent to serve.

I have long accepted my defeat at the polls, and I am proud that democracy is alive and well in Anguilla. I bear no malice to anyone who I was unable to convince to give me their support --- indeed I never have and never will. Democracy allows for trial and error --- it is nothing to be ashamed of. My party has called upon me to lead them and I today declare my intention to contest the seat in Valley South as the Anguilla United Front Candidate in the next General Election --- God willing! May God bless you all! And may God bless Anguilla

I thank you for your kind attention.

By: Victor F. Banks
Victor Banks is a former Finance, Economics, Commerce and Tourism Minister on Anguilla. He is presently the leader of the Oposition Anguilla United Front Party, writer and author of a weekly political article for The Anguillian News Paper, lyricist, and a self-employed entrepreneur.