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Asia Pacific
Anguillan government stymied by UK government “vetoâ€
Tuesday, 14 May, 2010
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The government of British overseas territory Anguilla has been frustrated by an over-zealous UK government decision to veto its latest budget, according to tourism minister Haydn Hughes
Newly-elected in February, the government of chief minister Hubert Hughes set a budget that included major changes to tourism strategy and a move towards a “low volume, high value” economy.
One of the first moves was to begin renegotiating a project that was about to bring 4,380 rooms to the island in a $3 billion deal.
Given that currently there are 3.25 persons employed for every room on the island and the population is only 13,600 this “would have caused untold problems socially and with our infrastructure,” said Hughes.
“We are determined to make sure we remain a high value destination with a unique Anguillan experience,” he said.
“In our opinion, our near neighbours have made critical errors in ensuring long term sustainability of their tourism offering and have sold out to the demands of the cruise industry. The recent development proposals would have altered the character of this island for ever.”
But the veto of the budget has stirred up feelings of colonialism.
“UK government representative Chris Bryant vetoed our budget which had been approved by our elected assembly and under the eye of the UK governor. It was some way below the previous administration yet still it was stopped. We can only hope the change of UK government and the fact that Mr Bryant is no longer in office will change attitudes. Currently we only get restrictions from the UK,” Hughes continued.
“The Caribbean in general is very uneasy with what is happening not only here but also in Turks and Caicos.
“Democratically elected governments have been more or less overthrown by the UK government despite the permanent presence of UK appointed governors.”
Hughes hopes of a change of heart form the new UK Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government may also end in disappointment.
For, according to him and confirmed by Anguillan first minister Bryant’s parting shot: “It does not matter who comes to government, the policy remains the same.”
Phil Davies
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