LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Editor
The Anguillian
Dear Sir:

THE GOVERNOR’S PRESS CONFERENCE

In one of your earlier issues you reported that the Governor had requested the views of readers and listeners with respect to his monthly press conferences about which I now briefly write.

Governor Harrison will go down in history as the first Governor of Anguilla to have held press conferences on the island. He has even appeared on the radio programme, “Talk Your Mind,” and is hoping to return on that talk show with Mr. John Benjamin. While he may enjoy the publicity in the press and on the radio (and probably one day on TV as well), I think it is a good decision but I imagine he must know that at the same time he is possibly exposing himself to some critical times. I hope he is prepared for them. His appearance in the press and on the radio is however a means of providing some openness not only with regard to his functions, but his views, and those of the British Government, on many matters and issues on which he may feel free to comment. Governors are top diplomats and come with much skill and experience but the need for a close working relationship with the people, whom they must learn to know, is a vital matter which must not be taken lightly.

While I applaud the Governor’s press conferences, I was getting concerned over the absence of the Deputy Governor, until I heard, from the last press conference, that Mr. Reid would now be in attendance. This is a wise move to provide a necessary balance from the Anguillian perspective and to observe that link with the people of the island which I recall the Governor mentioning in his speech during his swearing-in some three months ago. Both of them hold Royal Commissions of Appointment, must work in close cooperation and must be seen and heard by the people. If the Governor is off island, the Deputy, who then becomes Acting Governor, obviously should have much additional important work on his desk, notwithstanding the presence of the Governor’s UK staff, and is expected to meet the press or the people if the need arises.

The Governor has been speaking about the various subjects for which he has responsibility. These are really well known to the people of the island who think that some of them should be transferred to the Government of Anguilla under the new constitutional amendments. A matter which has not come up is the public service which has been delegated to the Deputy Governor who is not only well conversant with its operations, but the myriad of problems that he must frequently encounter and deal with. I think that this highly qualified and respected Anguillian, who is in the class of many local shining stars in the hierarchy of the public and private sectors, must be complimented for his work in the public service and in other areas of his duties. The Governor’s Office should feel fortunate to have him there as is so often expressed.

Anguilla is now experiencing much financial and economic difficulty to the extent that the salaries of public servants, at all levels of the service, have been cut back. The decision was taken in the Executive Council, chaired by the Governor or Acting Governor, but only the Ministers of Government have been heard speaking with the various unions about it and other related matters. The Deputy Governor has responsibility for the public service and can speak on any matter regarding it. That is one of the various reasons for him to be at the Governor’s press conference if some question about the service, or any other matter, upon which he can comment, or elucidate (whether administratively or from his legal background), should arise. Another reason, as I said, should be to provide balance and the others include providing a general link to the people of Anguilla that only a well-placed and knowledgeable Anguillian can truly provide.

- Public Servant

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