The response of the left in Britain to the invasion of Anguilla was pathetic. Some sections tried to cover their passivity by treating the affair as a joke; others ignored the invasion completely. It was notable that those who have argued against over-involvement with Vietnam because it is not a British responsibility were nowhere to be seen in the protests against specific and direct British gunboat diplomacy.
Yet Anguilla represents a classic piece of British colonialism and imperialism. It has been under British rule since the middle of the 17th century; the economy is controlled by two British-financed firms: the St. Kitts Sugar Factory (London) and the St. Kitts Sugar Factory (Basseterre); and it has been part of yet another Colonial Office devised federations The conditions of the people - arising from three centuries of British exploitation are among the worst in the West Indies. A large proportion of the male population has been forced to emigrate to Britain (their returned earnings forming a vital part of the Island's economy.)
The overwhelming majority of the population was completely opposed to being incorporated into the St. Kitts-Nevis Federation and justifiably felt that they were being further exploited by the corrupt politicians of St. Kitts. This was shown clearly in two referendums on the island, when the only people voting for association with the federation were non-Anguillans.
It is estimated that the total amount of money spent on the invasion was many times what had been requested - and turned down on economy grounds - to develop the island.
The [illegible] of the Government's action in ordering the invasion is that it reveals its true nature. The difference between the Suez invasion and Anguillan invasion is in scale not principle. The fact that Mr. Wilson has withdrawn from East of Suez is a sign of British imperialism's weakness rather than its change of heart.
The policy of the British left should be very clear:
- absolute opposition to the invasion and a demand for immediate British withdrawal;
- self-determination for the Anguillan people to determine what political form of Government [illegible] have;
- solidarity with the Anguillan people in any steps they take to oppose British occupation;
- a joint campaign with black organisations in this country against this vicious piece of imperialism.
At its conference in Manchester on March 23rd the SSF decided upon the above policy which was proposed by supporters of INTERNATIONAL. It is not too late to do something to rectify the left's weakness on this question.