The Editor
The Anguillian

Dear Sir

QUALIFIED VOTERS MUST ELECT
QUALIFIED CANDIDATES

The other night I happened to stop at one of the political meetings where, in speaking with some acquaintances, I heard the names of some possible candidates who are planning to contest next year’s general election.

I pondered on a few of the names and all night I was a worried man. Sleep seemed to have deserted me and there I was staring in the roof, but all I could see was the blackness of the night.

I was worried because there appears to be a number of candidates vying for election with little or no thought about the complexities of politics, economics, finance and governance in this rapidly changing and demanding world.

Gone are the days when grass root men, not knowing when to use is, are, was or were, in a sentence, were elected to political office in our Caribbean region. Gone too must be the days when aspiring politicians of our day, ignorant of economics, finance or governance, and what it takes to stand up in the great halls of political leadership and intelligent decision-making, dare to present themselves for election either by themselves or by others.

Running for political office is no joke. It is serious business. We cannot, in this day and age, be represented by people who will inevitably become the laughing stock of others. If all the people I hear are really seeking election, there will certainly be a need for elimination between now and election day.

It is pretty early for campaigning with polling one year ahead, and some persons will surely get burnt out before then or become so repetitious that they will lose any influence they may have had on the electorate. I would like to see a cadre of intelligent and seriously committed individuals coming forward to seek political office and just as all persons must be qualified to vote, so must all candidates be qualified and truly be able to take on the responsibilities of leadership.

Political Watchdog

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