| Tribute to Hon. John A. Osborne |
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Tribute to Hon. John A. Osborne
In the annals of Montserrat’s history, John Osborne will be remembered for specific attributes:
· His longevity in local and regional politics as the only local elected official to survive in the political arena for 38 years;
· His almost legendary popularity with the masses island wide, and, in particular, in St Peter’s and Cudjoe Head;
· His faithfulness to his grassroots beginnings in spite of undeniable financial and political success;
· His unquestionable love for his homeland;
· His enthusiasm to pursue prosperity for Montserrat and Montserratians through job creation and individual entrepreneurship;
· His astuteness as a businessman and investor;
· His prowess in ship building and his contribution to shipping and trade in the region, from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago;
· His personal conviction that “studiation beat education,” but which did not prevent him from providing the highest level of education for his children if they desired to reach for the skies.
At the personal level, I remember him as:
· The leader of the St. Peter’s steelband in the early fifties playing just outside my window at night;
· The son of a local pastor who was not unwilling to make financial contributions to select churches even if he disagreed with their doctrine;
· The man who was my friend long before he became my political adversary;
· The leader with whom I stood in 1978 on the basis of a signed Memorandum of Understanding that promised to safeguard and promote the rights of the workers of Montserrat against any anti-worker administration; but also the leader whom I opposed on principle five years later, when his Party and administration failed to keep the terms of the MOU;
· The frontline politician who did not attack me personally from any political platform, even though we had clear ideological differences on what real development for Montserrat means;
· The politician who showed no malice, and spoke very cordially and respectfully in my presence even at the points of our strongest disagreements;
· The leader who was gracious and confident enough to seek my opinion even if he suspected I would differ, and invited me to join his winning Party in 1983, offering to create nine constituencies (dividing Plymouth into two, and separating Cork Hill and Salem) to accommodate my team;
· The leader who initiated the Professor George Irish Annual Lecture Series without even explaining to me why he made such a magnanimous public gesture.
There are numerous lessons to be learned from C. M. John Osborne’s career:
· Love for country and people generates a fervent passion for service to community;
· Creativity, vision and business acumen are essential ingredients of economic progress;
· Personal success is not a platform for becoming disconnected from one’s roots;
· Montserrat has the potential for self development and self determination if we have the desire to explore those avenues for self realization;
· Politics and differences of opinion should not be allowed to destroy family and friendship; (John remained my friend, without acrimony or bile, even when the battle was at its hottest).
· The fleeting nature of life reminds us all that opportunities to be kind, forgiving, helpful and god-fearing should not be neglected for life was intended to be enjoyed, not endured in misery and ill will.
Chief Minister Osborne understood that politics was not a toy game. He fought it doggedly and hard. He was a winner. He was accustomed to winning and he enjoyed fighting to win. He leaves behind a fan club of several hundreds of faithful supporters and admirers dispersed all over the world. Not even his detractors can dare to erase his name from the corridors of distinction in local business and politics. For me, he ranks in the populist category of W. H. Bramble and Robert W. Griffith, as unforgettable Montserratian icons.
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