Hon Claude Hogan and Hon David Osborne May Soon Owe Montserrat an Apology

Hon Claude Hogan and Hon David Osborne may Soon Owe Montserrat an Apology
Author

Jeevan A. Robinson

Release Date

Sunday, November 6, 2016

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Mr Darren Roache recently submitted a piece to this media house. The piece was direct in its explanation and analysis of the present state of affairs on Montserrat. As is said in colloquial tongue, “no long talk needed.”

Mr Roache's assessment has compelled me, if even for a moment, to break my self-imposed disengagement.

At this juncture, after observing how Montserrat is being led, I am shifting my gaze from the Premier and looking at some other factions who frankly seem to be waiting for failure so that ultimately they can emerge as a saviour of the people. Some may call that political strategy. I refer to it frankly as weak leadership.

Leaders lead from the front and show their bravery, and their convictions on behalf of the people, especially when the tide is moving against the people. A leader of distinction does not sit back and see suffering and privation amongst the people, then holds back and say there is nothing they can do. These are moments when men and women rise up, and take command of leadership. For the leader who is keen on progress and development, does not sit back and wait unendingly while things degenerate. They gather thoughts and idea generators, doers, people, and forge an action plan whose purpose primarily is to bring about a better day for the people. Such leaders will always have respect and certainly history's timeless recognition.

Many of us have watched, commented, made excuses, and even lost friendships over the state of affairs on Montserrat under the leadership of Premier Donaldson Romeo. Almost two years into leadership, what does Romeo have to show for his stewardship thus far, that has lifted that state of endemic poverty of some residents of Montserrat?

Montserrat does not have endemic poverty you say? Wrong!

For it is not this publication that stated that Montserrat has endemic poverty. Ask the Hon Claude Hogan what the term means and how eloquently he is on record as having referenced it several times during the election campaign of 2014; where he derided the Meade Administration for inducing a state of endemic poverty on the residents of Montserrat

Therefore, today, MNI Alive is asking Hon Hogan what are you doing Mr Minister to alleviate this problematic state of affairs with the current vacant leadership on display on Montserrat.

You may potentially be a future leader of Montserrat Hon Hogan. It is widely accepted that you have such an ambition to lead. However, from where I stand, your political brand is being tarnished in that you are seemingly sitting back and watching Premier Romeo showing his incapability in leading Montserrat, yet you as a man of vast political experience, great study and exposure, have remained skilfully on the sidelines, and have not done enough to speak up for Montserrat and her people who are suffering.

You may feel within your political science texts that the democratic process should run its course and Montserrat should be allowed to trod forward under Romeo, when you know fully well the man is not up to the task. That may potentially be your greatest disservice to the endemic poverty status that you claim you came to rescue in 2014 from Reuben T Meade.

If you recall Mr Minister, it was this media outlet that wrote glowingly of you, pitting you against the exuberance and political wit of RTM, and declared that you are the man most able to challenge him. Yet, to date, it seems as if you may make me retract my words, as I have not seen from you the leadership that you should be capable of delivering. Or is it that you prefer to preserve the party apparatus while poor people on Montserrat suffer and struggle with Romeo making blunder after blunder?

You say you are a PLM man, learned under the tutelage of the former Chief Minister John Osborne, but yet I wonder if this is how JAO would have wished to see you, staying silent and watching the country, and most importantly poor people suffer. People first remember?

Now to Hon David Osborne, it was you, who with the help of your late father’s endorsement, handed victory to the Reuben T Meade led MCAP Administration in 2009.

Those PLM faithful who were not so sure about Reuben, gained assurance when your Dad, in support of your political ambitions endorsed you, and the MCAP candidates as the ones who should be handed electoral victory. And so it was.

Now today Hon Osborne, I must ask you, are you satisfied with the condition of “your people?”

Why have you not come forward and taken a stand for Montserrat in the way that ‘your people’ would have hoped you would. You have stated on record that “your people” are your priority, and their hardship is your main concern, as you are a man who has come to serve.

Now, look at Montserrat and where the island is with the leadership on display. Is the service of both you and Honourable Hogan beholden to the party, or to the people?

Are you both satisfied that this is what John A Osborne would have wanted from two of his sons - one adopted and one his flesh and blood - whom he gave his blessings to in going forward as potential future leaders of Montserrat?

On the platform you both stated people first and that change is coming. I submit here, via this piece, that there has been very little change.

As I have been keenly watching how things are progressing in this new political dynamic, I recall a line from Darren Roache's piece where he stated; "Change is required, but change is neither desired nor attempted, as none is willing to fight for it."

I ask you both then, what is the change you are willing to fight and sacrifice for?




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