Two-time chief minister and Montserrat’s first premier, Reuben T Meade, has announced he will be running in the upcoming general election as the leader of a new political party.
In a press conference on 25 January, he said he is returning to politics after retiring in 2016 “because I must not bury my talents out of fear”.
“The fear that some persons would say I should stay retired among so many other things they might say,” he added during the live radio broadcast.
Meade said numerous people had persistently asked him to return to active politics and use his talents for the best interest of the people.
“It is against this background that I am announcing my decision to end my retirement and return to the political front lines,” he said.
A new team
The founding member of the National Progressive Party (NPP) and Movement for Change and Prosperity (MCAP) said he is back with a new team and a fresh new approach.
“We know that the island needs visionary, creative, insightful political leadership backed by a team of competent, committed, caring people who will work as team while putting Montserrat’s progress first,” he said.
“I will be leading this new team to bring those and other relevant skills and attributes to the political table.”
He said the team members, who are yet to be named, will be asked not to bury their talents but instead to put those talents to work in taking Montserrat forward.
“Montserrat has been lurching from crisis to crisis in recent years,” Meade said.
He named electricity, air and sea access, road maintenance, the usurping of the democratic role of elected representatives among the issues.
“I have unrivalled experience in crisis leadership when compared to any other politician or political hopeful.
“That experience will help us to chart a course out of these poly-crises to opportunity, sustainability and success.”
A future
The former premier said Montserrat needs not only a present but a future.
“Montserrat needs hope and optimism; we do not need despair and pessimism. Montserrat needs a government that is not only willing but able,” he said.
He stressed that patriotism and commitment are not enough.
“We need insight and innovation, courage and creativity, self-confidence and self-belief. We need fresh ideas based on values that uplift us all,” he said.
Meade spoke of the relationship between the United Kingdom and Montserrat.
One of the challenges the island faces is “dealing with some misguided British officials who think their job is to rule Montserrat and subjugate Montserratians”, he said.
He went on to say that he has the courage to look into anyone’s eyes and tell them “not only what is on your mind but what is on my mind”.
And he said he would do that while defending Montserrat’s honour and securing brighter future for the people.
“Montserrat’s relationship with the United Kingdom must mean partnership, not making us feel that we are a meaningless appendage of a dying colonial power,” he said.
“Partnership is built not only on mutual respect but empathy and understanding also.
“There must be no domination and obeisance dynamic in how we engage with the representatives of His Majesty’s Government.
“Overseas country and territory cannot mean other contrary standards and treatment. Rightness and fairness have no colour.”
Volcano crisis
Meade spoke of the eruption of Soufriere Hills from 1995-1999 which he said not only decimated Montserrat, but options, opportunities and prospects for development.
“That applied not only to our physical and social infrastructure but to investments and our ability to keep our qualified young people at home,” he said.
“Montserrat has not only lost what it had, but what it could have gained. That is the reality that confronts us.
“And yes, it will take not just courage, but creativity and teamwork. It will also take time but doing the wrong things will never get us there.
“Being incompetent in leadership, management and teamwork will never get us there.
“When we fail to empower our own people, we fail our people. Our new political team is committed to success, not failure.”
He said his new team will do much better than has been done by politicians in recent years.
“I am, as the old saying goes, older and wiser but I am also just as committed to serving the people,” Meade said.
Values and mission
Meade said his new political team has values that they will live and work by which are non-negotiable, which he named as:
- We embrace our Christian beliefs and traditions, while respecting the tenets and traditions of recognised non-Christian religions
- We will adhere to the principles of servant leadership
- We will put Montserrat first in everything
- Teamwork is at the core of how we will work and deliver benefits for the people
- We are custodians of public resources not the owners
- We will always uphold what is right, ethical, and equitable
- We will balance short-term needs with long-term benefits
He added that the new party’s mission statement is:
To create and implement a strategy and roadmap for the sustainable development of Montserrat in which all people will have the opportunity to live wholesome productive lives based on principles of universal love, respect, empathy, equity, self-reliance and creativity.
