Sunday, December 27, 2009 at 11:17am A devolved government is government which is devolved, either wholly or partially, from state level to a more local level. Unlike a federal system, such devolved administrations exist in statute, not constitutional law, and can have their powers broadened or narrowed, or can even be abolished, by an act of the legislature overnight. In contrast, regional administrations in federal systems have a constitutionally guaranteed right to exist with constitutionally defined powers.

Scotland, Ireland and Wales operate under a statutory devolved system of government. Anguilla like the rest of the British Overseas Territories (BOT) have had abandon in governments by the British; devolved in practice - even theory, but not in reality.

Case in point: November 16, 1965 – British Parliament passed the Southern Rhodesia Act which provided that no laws could be made or business transacted by the Rhodesian Legislative Assembly. The Court held in Madzimbamuto v Lardner-Burke 1969, that even if there was a principle which recognised the need to preserve law and order in territory controlled by a usurper, such a principle could not override the legal right of the British Parliament ‘to legislate’ for a territory under the sovereignty of the Queen in the UK Parliament.

The British government has every right to protect her constitutional rights and interest wherever it may lead, regardless to any international convention.

The British government have given us as BOTs one choice – abide or bye bye – and that too is democracy.

But then again – show me a successful “Black State”… and I would show you “Good Governance”.


A vote for the Anguilla United Front government is a vote for continue economic growth, peace, prosperity and good governance on Anguilla.