(Adapted from CMC reports)
Former Chief Minister Hon. Hubert Hughes
Apr 24, 2015 – The Honourable Victor Banks was sworn in as the new head of government in the British Overseas Territory after his Anguilla United Front (AUF) swept away Anguilla United Movement (AUM) in very closely contested General Elections on Wednesday, April, 22.
Today Friday, is a public holiday in Anguilla as a result, during which time Banks was sworn in as the new head of government.
It began with Baldwin Spencer, Antigua, Reuben Meade, Montserrat, Denzil Douglas, St. Kitts, and AUM in Anguilla without its retired leader Hubert Hughes. The main opposition Anguilla United Front (AUF) demolished the incumbents sweeping into power winning six of the seven seats in the general elections on Wednesday, after the people made it four out of four in a row joining Antigua, Montserrat, St. Kitts, routing the incumbents.
New Anguilla Chief Minister, Victor Banks
The incumbent Anguilla United Movement (AUM) did not win a seat. Medical practitioner Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster who took over the leadership of the AUM after Hubert Hughes, 82, Anguilla’s oldest chief minister had indicated he was stepping down after 40 years in active politics, received 412 votes in District One, losing to independent Pamovan Webster, a lawyer and businessman, who polled 460 votes.
In 2010, the AUM won five of the seven seats to take control of the Legislative Council. The 11-member Council will be completed by the appointment of four members.
Both the AUF and the AUM were contesting all seven seats in the election that was being observed by a six-member team from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) British Islands and the Mediterranean.
Haydn Hughes – Former CM son – AUM loser
AUF leader Victor Banks, a former finance minister, comfortably won District Four, polling 1057 votes as against 655 for the AUM’s Evans Gumbs and 28 for the DOVE party that fielded only three candidates in the election.
The closest results were in District Five where the AUF’s Evalie Bradley edged out Patrick Hanley of the AUM by one vote. Bradley polled 394 votes.
Approximately 11,000 Anguillans were eligible to vote with 7,974 casting ballots on Wednesday in the 35 square mile British Overseas Territory with a population of just over 13,000.
The economy, job creation, infrastructural development and good governance were among the main issues a lengthy election campaign, spanning a little over 12 months.
“It is a significant victory for the Anguilla United Front. We were able to win six of the seven seats and this is the first time this has happened…since 1980,” a jubilant Banks told reporters.
“I believe it is an indication that the Anguilla United Front has been able to communicate its message to the people of Anguilla and the people of Anguilla believe in terms of the record of the last government we are best suited to deliver on its commitment to the people”
Banks, a former finance minister, said that the outgoing Hubert Hughes government “was not very assertive in putting forward its programme.
Anguilla
“They claimed to have had a plan for Anguilla…and over the past four years you did not see any evidence of the plan. Things actually got worse,” he said, adding “this government never really took off …”
Both the AUF and the AUM contested all seven seats in the election that was being observed by a six-member team from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) British Islands and the Mediterranean.
The other seat in the general election was won by independent candidate, Palmavon Webster, an attorney, who held off a strong challenge from incumbent representative for District One Othlyn Vanterpool of the AUF and the new AUM leader Dr Ellis Lorenzo Webster, a first time candidate in Anguillan politics.
Two former government ministers in the 2010-2015 Hughes administration – Social Development Minister Jerome Roberts and Public Works Minister Evan Gumbs – both failed to win their seats, losing to lawyer Cora Richardson Hodge and Banks, a former finance minister in a previous government led by retired leader Osbourne Fleming.
Also winning for the AUF were first time candidates former English country cricketer Cardigan Connor and Evalie Bradley, a retired former civil servant.
Connor edged out newcomer and lawyer Kristy Richardson-Harrigan of the AUM by a margin of 389 to 13 while Bradley secured an upset 10 vote win over AUM newcomer Patrick Hanley, polling 398 to 388. Curtis Richardson of the AUF who ran twice before against the outgoing chief minister in District Six and lost, won this time around beating Haydn Hughes, the son of the former Anguillian leader and veteran politician.
The three members of the newly-formed DOVE party led by businessman Sutcliffe Hodge failed to get the nod of the electorate – with Hodge picking up a mere 58 votes, while his colleagues retired Methodist Minister Dr Clifton Niles (24) and businessman George Kentish (28) votes fared even worse in the general election.
Chief Minister Banks announced his cabinet shortly after meeting with Anguilla’s British Governor Christina Scott later on Thursday. He was sworn in by Governor Christina Scott, who said that she looked forward to working with the new government towards the common goal of a prosperous Anguilla.
The Governor also praised the various stakeholders who participated in the elections ensuring also a safe and secure election campaign and polling day.
The 11-member Legislative Council will be completed by the appointment of four members.
Banks four member cabinet will also include Cora Richardson-Hodge, Evans McNiel Rogers and Curtis Richardson. Former English county cricketer Cardigan Connor has been appointed Parliamentary Secretary.
The announcement of individual Ministerial responsibilities will be made on Monday.
