To come to think about it, it might have been a good and workable proposition if the arrangement whereby the Government of Anguilla extended the time to operate without a formal 2010 budget could have gone down to the end of the year rather than for just two months. The question is: what is likely to happen after June 30 with the expiration of that period? Will there be a further amendment to the Financial Administration and Audit Act to authorise additional public expenditure? It will be half of the year by then and it just does not look right or possible to pass a budget so late and to succeed in generating the revenue to support it.

It appears to be an untenable situation that may be causing both the Government and its technocrats to scratch their heads and certainly they are not alone in this dilemma. The populace, including public servants, whose salaries and jobs come into question, is also worrying about the quandary. It is a battle of the wits which only borrowing or sizeable cuts in expenditure may play out. But if we are to borrow, and there is money available to us, even proportionate with our needs, the ability to pay back from an economy in shambles is another matter.

The Labour Government in the United Kingdom, which approved Anguilla’s current extended two-month spending period, is now out of office and another, a coalition of the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, is in. It is not known how this will affect the position taken by Chris Bryant, the former Overseas Territories Minister. Indeed, his decision not to approve the Anguilla Government’s deficit budget was based on the fact that he did not want to leave a new British Government and Minister with a potential problem. The truth is that the problem has manifested itself in a different dimension. Anguilla and its people are now waiting on Britain, which has its own deficit budget to sort out, to help us to get out of this two-month spending difficulty. Just how it will turn out is anybody’s guess.

PROCTOR A NATURAL SUCCESSOR

The appointment by the Governor of Mr. Rudolph Proctor to serve as Anguilla’s new Commissioner of Police has been widely hailed and accepted on the island, and rightly so. The top cop is an extremely capable person, well liked and respected both within the ranks of his organisation and throughout the public, and behind his apparent humility and calmness is a strong and no-nonsense personality.

Mr. Proctor became an instant favourite of the media at the weekly press briefings which it is hoped he will still have time to attend and conduct regularly. This has been due in large measure to his very approachable demeanor, his lucid but very careful communications skills, alert mind and the fierce commitment he demonstrates in his pursuit of law and order on the island. Behind him are 27 years of experience through the rank and file of the Force, and an impressive record of training and achievement. (See his resume elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian.)

He is a natural successor to the former Commissioner, Mr. Keithly Benjamin, now Junior Magistrate, whom he often followed one or two steps behind, and up the ladder of success, and for whom he has had the utmost respect and admiration. He is a well-rounded career Police Officer who not only deserves the unconditional support of the Governor, but the political and administrative directorate and the general public from all walks of life. In congratulating Mr. Proctor on his appointment, The Anguillian wishes him well in a job he obviously loves notwithstanding its challenges and great responsibilities.

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