Brink of Chaos

Nestled in the turquoise tranquil waters of the Caribbean Sea lies a tiny remote island most of us have never heard of, yet still this tiny Caribbean island has become the nucleus of an fierce power struggle between one of the world’s leading super powers -Britain- and a people’s will for autonomy. This strange arrangement started between the two entities from way back in the 1967 when the island people rebelled against their tri-state union with St. Kitts – Nevis. Anguillans sought relief from the dictatorial rule of, the then premier, Robert Bradshaw. They were successful and were granted the status of Overseas Territory of Britain. This was supposed to be a relationship whereby the island would be granted the right to be self governing while enjoying the security given by Britain, who were directly responsible for financial matters and security. For the past three decades, this relationship thrived, even though somewhat one sided, and Anguilla blossomed enjoying an economic boom that surpassed its Caribbean counterparts. Lately, however, Anguilla has fallen on hard times due in part to the global economic crisis and mismanagement of their finances. It is here where we notice the defect in the way its umbilical association with the UK (Britain) Government. It is this defect that has this once prosperous tiny self sufficient Caribbean island tethering on the brink of chaos.


Anguilla’s unique status with Britain is such that the British Government has the power to deny the passage of its budget , suspended its constitution, made appointments and sanction laws , while the local Government has little or no recourse. In other words it is a modern day plantation experiment by the British colonialist. In this day and age such behavior is reprehensible and causes one wonders why the UN Council allows them to get away with it. Recent events arising in Anguilla bring to the forefront the disadvantages and the pitfalls of this ridiculous type of governance. Anguilla’s Government recently passed their annual budget 2011 and submitted it to the UK for ratification and guess what? Yes they rejected it and not only did the reject it but imposed conditions that must be met before they would consider acceptance. Such actions, by the British Government, have far reaching consequences for Anguilla and its people. It has undoubtedly created an atmosphere of anxiety and has unnecessarily plunged this island into a state of instability. The local Government is unable to pay the salaries of its employees neither is it able to continues projected improvement projects. In a desperate attempt to sustain its fondling economy, the local Government has tried to obtain loans to help assuage this shortcomings but the British Government who has oversight in these matters blocked or denied their borrowing capabilities. Without the approval of the Foreign Overseas Territories Office, who guarantees these loans, the Government and the country will grind to a screeching halt. Of course the FOTO denies any ulterior motive in this, but yet still it attaches strict conditions or stipulations before they would allow Anguilla any leeway in borrowing. As a territory of Britain and one who has not benefitted from financial assistance, it is quite disheartening to see them being treated like common beggars. Anguilla has, for decades, been self reliant and did a commendable job of managing but like many countries succumbed to the global economic crisis. The general atmosphere in the Island is one of extreme uncertainty and despair because there are limited resources and job diversification. As a result many of the local who are in fear of losing their jobs are beginning to panic. Perhaps this is the end result that the British sort. There is a lot of finger pointing and accusation being passed around. The rumor mill is alive and kicking and it adds fuel to the hysteria that is now engulfing the entire island. So bleak is its future that many Anguillans are entertaining the idea of independence in hopes that this will be their salvation. However, most of it is just wishful thinking because nowhere the Island is ready for such a move.

The British has a critical role to play here and an inherent obligation. As a territory that has not received financial support funds, Britain should be pressured by the UN and other countries to meet its past obligations to Anguilla which would total in the millions of Pounds. Money that would surely ease this Island’s financial dilemma.

Anguilla’s future is uncertain and financial viability is questionable unless it is able to restructure its financial portfolio. This entails making adjustments and revisions of to how things are done. With careful restructuring that includes proper revenue collections, a sound system of moderate taxation and careful stewardship of its treasury revenues. In addition, it must diversify its economy and amend its constitution to curtail the unchallenged power of the British overseers. If this is not corrected promptly Anguilla will not just be tethering on the brink of chaos but would have become engulfed and consumed in it. The result being an Anguilla that is no more that a modern day plantation project for the British colonial powers. An exercise in modern day slavery.