Our high school kids took the commendable initiative to organize National debates between our Political Candidates in each district, which commenced on Monday, January 11th, 2010. This was a monumental history making step, done for the first time ever in Anguilla and probably was the first time national political debates were organized by high school students in the Caribbean.

In spite of the students inspirational efforts, the governing AUF party and the AUM opposition party did not see it fit to acknowledge these youngsters by making sure that their candidates participated in this historic event. These youngsters are the future leaders of our country and most of our political efforts should be geared to securing a solid future for them, acknowledging them and grooming them to take over. The absence of the support was a NATIONAL DISGRACE!

Initially it was said that the AUF candidates from Districts 5, 6, 7 would not be participating in the debates at all. After the debates some backpedaling was done in the media whereby they cited correspondence indicating they had issues with (i) the format of the debates, and that (ii) scheduling conflicts would prevent candidates from participating in some debates. In their typical high handed approach to most issues they (i) apparently wanted to dictate how the kids should organize themselves and (ii) disrespected the students by not even sending the District 7 candidate for part or all of debates. Surely he did not need to be at the political meeting in district 3! SHAMEUL!

The AUM claims they were not going to participate if the AUF did not participate.

If our youths are not important enough for some politicians to acknowledge, then why are they running for political office? The sole candidate who appeared for the debate and answered all the questions directed to him, clearly distinguished himself from the others by his mere presence there. He thought that the efforts of our youngsters in the Secondary School Debating Society was worthy of his respect and courtesy.

This alone should be a DISQUALIFYING moment for both the AUF and the AUM parties at the upcoming poles in February.

Name Withheld at writer's request

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