HE THE GOVERNOR'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE, DECEMBER 2009

Christmas is a time for reflection – for looking back at the year that has gone and looking forward to the next. It’s a time to think about what has happened to us personally. Some of us have lost loved ones this year, others will have had the joy of newborn children. And it’s also a good time to reflect on what has happened on our island and to look forward to the future.

It has certainly been a challenging year for Anguilla as the results of the global recession continue to wash over us. Most areas of economic activity here have suffered from the recession, the tourism industry in particular. Many people have had to make sacrifices – those in the private sector have suffered a decline in earnings or even the loss of jobs. In the public sector, salary cuts have been necessary. On the other hand we can be thankful for a mild hurricane season which hardly affected Anguilla. And I know from my work on hurricane preparations that we are as well prepared as any island in the Caribbean and probably better than most.

This is the second such message I have had the opportunity to deliver – the first being my Anguilla Day message in the summer. On that occasion I spoke particularly to the young people and children of Anguilla. On this occasion I would like to speak particularly to the older citizens of our island, and by “older” I particularly mean those over eighteen who have the right to vote. And I would particularly like to address those who are voting for the first time. I certainly would not wish to advise you on how to cast your vote. I am absolutely neutral as to the results of the elections. But I would ask all citizens of Anguilla to make their decision on whom to vote for carefully and reflectively; to avoid personal abuse during the election campaign; and above all to refrain from violence or vandalism in the conduct of the campaign. My pledge in return is to work in close partnership with the House of Assembly and the Executive Council which results from the elections. And I urge everyone to accept the results of the elections not as a victory or defeat for anyone, but as an expression of the common will of the people of Anguilla.

One thing is certain, our new Government will have many challenges. As we look to the year ahead, we cannot be sure how the economy is going to perform. The challenges I referred to earlier have not gone away, and, although we may hope to  make progress next year, it is likely that continued sacrifices will be necessary. What ought to sustain us is the conviction that, in the long term, the future is more secure. Tourism, on which the island’s economy above all depends, has a bright future and we are well-placed in our high end niche market. Financial Services will continue to prosper provided Anguilla can adjust to changing market conditions and new realities. The future will depend on us finding a good niche, or more than one, in the financial market, and convincing the world that we can provide a well-regulated environment for legitimate business and drive out bad business. We have made good progress in 2009, and must continue to do so in 2010.

We should also take encouragement from the fact that our island economy – and the people who live here – are much more nimble and adaptable than other larger and more ponderous economies. Anguilla has shown through its history a great ability to adapt to changing conditions, and I am sure will continue to do so.

 My family and I would like to wish everyone on Anguilla a very happy Christmas; and a peaceful and prosperous new year.