November 3, 2017
We present the following Editorial written some time prior, bears relevance to this time. We have removed a couple dates to test the few who may remember and be willing to tell us when it was written. Do let us know whether if the contents seem relevant today.
It may be mere speculation now, but it can become real in a very short time, when we see a more positive approach by the British Government to ensure that their aid money is spent in the manner they planned.
The Honorable Reuben Meade in his position as Chief Minister, which he enjoys up to xxx, “the MVO, EOC and the entire emergency operation where money is concerned, decisions, important and critical decisions which are required, we need to have it in a position where these guys (elections candidates) can’t put their hands on the money and do things indiscriminately.”
While it is believed in high government circles that the C M is misinterpreting the moves to centralize some financial management and the positioning of British Officials in the administration, it is still believed that there will be further moves should the government take a particular shape following the elections.
There is no doubt that Montserrat will suffer a set back in any quest that we may have envisaged for independence in the immediate future. And while we were almost certain we would not hear any talk of independence in the campaign, as the number of candidates reach its record high, xxxxxxx, a strong promoter of independence has arrived on island and confirmed his intention to contest the elections on an independence platform. It is doubtful that he will muster much support among other candidates on the subject, for indeed some who had previously promoted, expressed lack of confidence in our very existence in Montserrat at all at this time.
Montserrat needs more than ever to look forward and we must discourage moves to more deeply colonize us. More and more the danger exists, that as we move deeper into the volcanic crisis and our dependency upon the British Government and other donor agencies increases, we should not forget or even ignore the need to stay focus. If we are not careful to use this as one of the criteria in electing our next leaders, there will be many more who will go/run away, not from the volcano, but from life in Montserrat.
This week, as the number of candidates announcing their intentions to contest elections grow to near unprecedented numbers, the more it is being grumbled that there should be a run off between candidates to at least two to contest a seat. What is happening is that the possibility is ever present that a candidate can be elected to represent a constituency with as few as 20% of the available votes in that constituency. Does that make sense and what will it mean, if each of the seven seats were won in similar fashion?
I believe it is clear and there is no apology from this medium when we keep insisting and beseeching that the electorate make certain demands on these candidates, many of whose motives could be questionable, to tell us just how they intend to take this country forward and out of the unfortunate position in which we find ourselves.
Every grant that the Government and people of Montserrat has received in the past and might continue to receive in the future comes from tax payers and voters in somebody else’s country. Why should these tax payers and voters be comfortable with supporting the people of Montserrat when our candidates hold their elected officials up to ridicule?
And where in the World will all this free money come from when we allow our candidates to continue to insult our Benevolent Funders?
We must not allow ourselves to be fooled by the slick and glib tongues of some candidates. Grant Funds are not out there for the taking.
Finally, we need to assess our candidates on trust and loyalty.
