Please allow the Anguilla Democratic Party some space in your newspaper to express our views on Governance and Accountability in the Anguilla Administration.

Over the last five (5) years, members of the various opposition parties and other individuals have expressed their serious concerns about the secrecy of governance and the lack of accountability in this country. Decisions of fa-reaching implications are made without the knowledge or involvement of the general population. Examples are the recent attempt to pass the Proceeds of Crime Bill through the back door and decisions with Flags that will affect Anguilla for years to come.

A country the size of Anguilla cannot afford mistakes of this magnitude. Government need to be more open. Things that will affect a community must be brought to the attention of the community. Allowing a construction firm to bring in over 300 citizens from one country, and settling them into a community of around the same number of people without discussion, or for that matter informing them, is irresponsible and criminal.

The Guide To The Operations Of The Executive Council And To The Conduct And Duties Of Members clearly states, in Section 3.1 that: “ The Executive Council is collectively responsible to the House of Assembly and consequently the principle of collective responsibility is fundamental to the operations of the Executive Council. A basic principle therefore in the functioning of the Executive Council is Unity.”
Section 3.4 states that: “All members of the Council, therefore, are collectively responsible for the policy decided within the Council and are required to support decisions taken there in the House of Assembly and if necessary before the public.”

We quoted the above to remind readers that all ministers are responsible for decisions made in Executive Council. With respect to Flags, Viceroy and the Airport project all ministers are responsible for decisions made, be they good or bad. The tendency here in Anguilla is for ministers to say, “I did not know that this was approved, or I did not support that decision.” If it was approved in Executive Council, ministers are collectively responsible for the outcome.

In accordance with Section 28 of the Constitution, the Governor is responsible for the conduct of any business of the Government. The Governor presides at meetings of Executive Council. If that is the case then the Constitution should indeed be changed as his presence means nothing positive for the country unless being a spy is considered positive.

A look at how the Governor did not intervene in the Turks and Caicos Islands, but instead agreed to a wholesale take over by the British, illustrates the weakness of our imported Westminster System of Government. The same can happen in Anguilla because our Government is so secretive. The local population will not support an administration when it has no confidence in how things are done. When questions are asked in the House of Assembly by members of the opposition, and one year later answers are not given by the government side, then we do not have a proper system of government. How can we be assured that all is well? When accusations are hurled at the Government and ‘brush-off’ answers are given our confidence sinks deeper.

Our view is that the Government is compelled according to rules of the House of Assembly to provide answers to questions asked by opposition members even if they do not like the questions. It is the responsibility of the Honourable Speaker of the House to ensure that protocol is adhered to. If that is not done, we are not adhering to the principles of Good Governance.

The above are some of the reasons why we believe that the continuation of this administration is detrimental to the wellbeing of this country. Replacing incumbents with new candidates from the same party is to invite continuation of the same problem. Do not be fooled by the sweet talk that the United Front will solve your problems they cannot.

Thank you.

Julian R. Harrigan J.P. BSc, MSc
General Secretary
Anguilla Democratic Party

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