(a) I have written this article as an Anguillian and NOT as a member of any Political Party in Anguilla. I am expressing my thoughts on the two impending pieces of legislation as I see it, and wish to share them with the electorate at home and abroad.

(b) I beg to applaud the members of Government for initiating a series of Town Hall Meetings, and in particular the Hon. Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. David Carty, (as I understand it), for persuading the Government of Anguilla to seek the input of the electorate, and I assume, to be guided accordingly by their views and ideas, and having them inserted wherever appropriate in both Bills – The Labour Code 2005 and the Physical Planning Act 2005.

(c) Let me congratulate Anguilla’s Legal Fraternity who so eloquently appraised the Anguillian public of the ramifications of the impending legislation – those present at the meeting and the thousands who listened over the air waves – of the illegal and dictatorial manner in which these documents were drafted, and I assume they were drafted by the Attorney General’s Office. I stand to be corrected. And

(d) Let me also commend The Anguillian Newspaper for its corporate attitude in taking time out to publish the entire (or extracts from these two pieces of impending legislation). Kindly continue to keep up the good work.

NOW TO THE POINT. Fellow Anguillians, I assume that ALL loving Anguillians who adore the rock, will agree with me, that these two bits of impending draft legislation, and particularly the Physical Planning Act 2005, be thrown out in its entirety, and in its place, use our LOCAL LEGAL EXPERTISE to draft a completely new Physical Planning Act 2005. At the University of Newcastle – upon – Tyne in the United Kingdom, I majored in Sociology and Environmental Geography – SOCIAL STUDIES or ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES - , I was advised by the Professor of Education, Mr. Guy Branthwaite, NOT TO TAKE the facts learnt here and execute them LOCK, STOCK and BARREL in Anguilla; it does not work that way. I said this to say that the Physical Planning Act 2005, is, to all intents and purposes an adaptation of some other country’s Physical Planning Act. This Act CANNOT work and WILL NOT work in Anguilla in its present form.

This Act in its present form is way out of context to the Anguillian situation, and more importantly its constitution. Let me here categorically indicate that I am NOT against the two pieces of draft legislation, but they must take into consideration the existing situation, the culture of the Anguillian society and its traditions. One has to take into consideration that the ownership of land in Anguilla, is by the Anguillian majority. Before any consideration is made of zoning lands, the people or land owners of Anguilla must be appraised of any impending legislation. The Government can and should only initiate such a policy if it were the major landowner in Anguilla. I have said this impending draft Act CANNOT be enacted in its present draft. It is imperative that FOREIGNERS cannot draft a Physical Planning Bill in the interest of Anguilla and Anguillians, as they must take into account Anguilla’s culture, society and its traditions.

Anguillians have traditionally spent a number of years constructing their homes. As their financial situations improved, they made additions to the sizes of their homes. Now, Government or more specifically the Draft men (women) in the Attorney General’s Office are telling Anguillians, inter alia, that they cannot live in their homes unless and until these homes are completely finished and painted. This is completely against Rights and Freedoms.

This brings me to the point. It is high time for Anguilla to have an Anguillian as (a) DEPUTY GOVERNOR, and (b) ATTORNEY GENERAL, period. In all the other Caribbean Overseas Territories this appertains, so why is ANGUILA the ODD MAN OUT? The Attorney General is paid from the Anguilla Treasury; therefore who pays the PIPER MUST CALL THE TUNE. It behoves the Government of the day to make this issue a NUMBER ONE PRIORITY for this Legislative Session.

Anguilla has sufficient legal experience and expertise to fill any post in the World, and are capable of manning the post of Secretary General of the United Nations. As I indicated earlier, I reiterate for emphasis and clarity, let us as Anguillians maximise our local expertise in every field of endeavour – our Lawyers, Doctors, Surveyors etc, so that with Anguillians occupying these posts, they will have the INTERESTS, CULTURE and TRADITIONS, and institute laws which are in line with Anguilla’s constitution. Attorney Generals of Anguilla thus far have been allegedly working for Her Majesty’s Governemnt and not in the interest of Anguilla. This is unfair to Anguilla and Anguillians, seeing that the Attorney General is paid from the Anguillian Treasury. In order to achieve SELF DETERMINATION, Anguillians should be guided along this path by being given the opportunity to execute such positions in government in order to gain the requisite and necessary expertise when such time comes about. Since we have Anguillians capable of acting in such posts, they are capable of filling them, period.

Fellow Anguillians, let us not be emotional about these issues, but to nationally, collectively and individually approach these issues as intelligent, law abiding citizens. I would therefore admonish each and everyone of us, whenever possible, to continue to attend and/or listen to these Town Hall Meetings especially in your districts (constituencies). Once again, we should compliment the Government for this initiative. If we cannot attend, tune in to Radio Anguilla and Heart Beat Radio. While on this, may I also compliment Heart Beat Radio for volunteering to carry the Broadcast in its entirety should Radio Anguilla, because of prior commitments would be unable to carry it.

Finally fellow Anguillians, let us be vigilant, safeguarding our well earned freedoms, questioning our constituencies representatives, making sure that they are representing us and OUR INTERESTS. Be inquisitive by becoming aware of any and every discrepancies in any and all impending legislation. May we move forward with the Love of God and our fellowmen, so that Anguilla would be a better place for all of us.

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