Colonialism 2

The British Challenge. Persons more learned than I have explained that the major quandary we in the remaining colonies find ourselves is the need to balance self-government with collaboration with the administering power, Britain. The persons who represent Britain in upcoming constitutional discussions are the officials of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

In his article, Islands in Comparative Constitutional Perspective Ronald Watts commented, “The dual and seemingly contradictory pressures for both autonomous self-government on the one hand and for political partnership on the other are everywhere prevalent in the world today. But nowhere is the need to balance these two sets of perspectives more persuasive than in the situation of island entities.”

Roy Bodden in his The Cayman Islands in Transition adds that the major challenge facing us is the ability to balance our desired self-government with the UK’s version of political partnership. He views this balance as becoming more difficult to maintain since the administering power has been laying down strict dictates which preclude a full exploration of self-determination.

I believe that he is mistaken. The British have no interest in laying down strict dictates for the sake of laying down strict dictates. They have to protect their interests. We in Anguilla have our own interests. They do not relate to those of Britain. We have to gird up our loins and prepare to protect our interests.

Confrontation is inevitable. Are we getting ready to meet the FCO boys when they arrive in Anguilla in July for negotiations? As with most conflicts that are not fratricidal in nature, the outcome is usually to the benefit of all concerned. But, only if we are properly prepared!