Mr. Jerome Roberts, a member of the Anguilla Progressive Party, who was elected to serve as the representative of District 2 (East End/Sandy Hill) in the General Election on February 15, has decided to take his seat on the Opposition Bench in the Anguilla House of Assembly.

Mr. Jerome Roberts delivering address

Mr. Roberts’ announcement came in a statement he issued on Tuesday this week, ending speculation as to whether or not he would accept an invitation by the Anguilla United Movement, headed by Chief Minister, Hubert Hughes, to join the Government or sit in opposition. His decision means that he will be a third opposition member, joining Mr. Othlyn Vanterpool of District 1 (Island Harbour and its environs) and Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers of District 3 (Valley North), both of the Anguilla United Front.

Following is the text of the statement issued by Mr. Roberts:

Part of the crowd of attendees at the meeting in District 2

"“Fellow Anguillians, and in particular the residents of District #2;
First, let me thank God for His guidance and grace to me throughout the election campaign and to its end.
"Secondly, let me express profound gratitude to the residents of District #2 who came out in the early hours of 15th February to ensure that true and sound representation would be the order of the day. Your support will always be appreciated and I will strive to work on your behalf in and out of the House of Parliament.

"Today is a new day as I stand committed to the task of creating a new direction for our district as your representative for the next 5 years.

"There is much to be done and it requires all hands on deck if meaningful reformation is to take place.

"Let me at this point stop and say congratulations to the Honourable Hubert Hughes CM and his team for their success at the polls and I wish them God’s Blessings as they govern our land.

During the political campaign my friends and I stated that if I am the only one to be duly elected, that I would seek the views of my party and the people of District #2 and make a final decision as to where I will sit in Parliament.

A section of the audience at Mr. Roberts' meeting

"After much prayer and thought, and after receiving hundreds of telephone calls, text messages and e-mails from east to west on this matter, I now hereby declare that my final decision, ladies and gentlemen, is to sit on the Opposition Bench.

"I am aware that this decision would not be met favourably by many, but this is how democracy works.

"I will seek to support what is good coming from the Government side of the House, and what in my opinion is not in the best interest of Anguilla, I will object to.

"Again, let us wish this Administration well and pray for positive growth in our land, ladies and gentlemen.

"May God bless you and may God continue to bless Anguilla.”

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