This Friday, March 5, is exactly one week since the commencement of a new House of Assembly in Anguilla, occasioned by the swearing in of the island’s first female Speaker, the Elected Members, the First Nominated Member and the two Ex-Officio Members, the Deputy Governor and the Attorney General. The Second Nominated Member is yet to be announced and sworn in.

Government's side of the House with Chief Minister Hubert Hughes, Ministers and Ex-Officio Members

The Speaker, Mrs. Barbara Webster-Bourne, was sworn into office by the Right Reverend Bishop Errol Brooks, OBE. Following that, she administered the Oaths of Allegiance and Due Execution of Office to the other Members of the House who in turn delivered addresses to the large gathering of invited guests and supporters.

Opposition Members: Evans Rogers, Othlyn Vanterpool and Jerome Roberts and St. Martin/St. Maarten guests at back

The membership of the House comprises four Anguilla United Movement representatives being Chief Minister, Hubert Hughes, and Ministers Edison Baird, Walcott Richardson and Evan Gumbs along with the First Nominated Member and Parliamentary Secretary, Haydn Hughes. In addition, there are three Opposition Members – Evans McNiel Rogers and Othlyn Vanterpool, representing the Anguilla United Front, which previously served as the Government, and the other, Jerome Roberts, from the Anguilla Progressive Party.

Bishop Brooks Swearing In Speaker

Below are excerpts of the addresses which they, as well as the Deputy Governor, Stanley Reid, Attorney General, Wilhem Bourne and the Speaker, Mrs. Barbara Webster-Bourne, delivered in the House of Assembly:

Swearing In of Hon. Hubert Hughes

Chief Minister, the Hon. Hubert Hughes, expressed thanks to all the people in Anguilla who continued to repose their confidence in him and to return him to the House of Assembly, in particular those of the Road South constituency. He promised to work assiduously for the wellbeing of all. “As you are aware, the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, has spoken in giving the Anguilla United Movement a clear majority, enabling a Government to be formed without the ugly horse-play that could have jeopardised the smooth and orderly transfer of power from the outgoing Anguilla United Front,” he continued.

Swearing In of Hon. Edison Baird

“I must admit that this island continues to be burdened under the yoke of a very unique form of politics. It is not the politicians who create difficulty when you are trying to form a coalition government. The people who support the politicians, and who don’t necessarily care much about Anguilla, and want special favours from their particular man, are the people who really cause this problem. It is not the politicians who really do the damage to Anguilla. It is a little bit of the people.”

Swearing In of Hon. Evan Gumbs

He described his administration as being strictly a people’s government, saying that the Anguilla United Movement was not a typical political party, but a people’s movement. “We, the members of the AUM, are dedicated to putting out a brotherly hand to any genuine Anguillian who loves their neighbours and supporters,” he said. “We are prepared to incorporate all the people. This is a nationalist movement. We are still living under colonial times and I think it is important for us to understand that there is always an issue of self-determination on the horizon.” In speaking on his nationalist movement, he invited Jerome Roberts, who decided to sit in opposition, to join his Government, a call which was repeated by Ministers Edison Baird, Walcott Richardson and the First Nominated Member and Parliament Secretary, Mr. Haydn Hughes, but which Mr. Roberts resisted.

Swearing In of Hon. Walcott Richardson

Mr. Hughes pledged that his Government would “root out corruption on the island and thus restore the good name of Anguilla.” He went on: “We will not tolerate indolence. I believe in the ethics of labour. We have committed our policy to ensuring that our people in Anguilla first benefit from the economic development of the island. I think you should remember that I have always said in this House of Assembly that every country in the world has positive discrimination and Anguilla will be no exception. We will observe or rekindle the important Alien Landholding Policy. We will not permit our lands to be exploited anymore by ruthless [investors].

Swearing In of Hon. Evans Rogers

“We will permit the civil servants in the Immigration and Labour Departments to do their jobs. We believe in the separation of powers. That is the safest way to avoid corruption and nepotism. We will have no favorites. All the people are favourites of the Anguilla United Movement. We will not be agents for special interests, whether local or foreign. We will legislate against fronting. It is a sad [thing]. Fronting has brought us almost to our knees. Our businesses are threatened today by Chinese conglomerates. I know that some people have fronted for those Chinese and some of them may even have gotten our status probably wrongfully. We will investigate that because we cannot afford to be Chinatown.” He said his Government would promote and protect local businesses and ensure that local contractors got the jobs on the island. “We welcome our guests and we are going to treat them well, but we will not be dominated and deprive our people of the culture of owing things…One day we will return to that culture.”

Swearing in of Hon. Othlyn Vanterpool

Among other matters, Mr. Hughes announced that his Government had undertaken to honour revolutionary leader, Ronald Webster, by declaring a full annual public holiday on his birthday on March 2, in recognition of his 1967 leadership role. “It is due to Ronald Webster that I stand here today, the second time as Chief Minister of this island,” he acknowledged.

Swearing In of Hon. Jerome Roberts

Honourable Edison Baird said in part: “The people of this country, in the last election, made it clear that they were in favour of openness, transparency and accountability and voted for those important principles on February 15. We believe that the people have a right to know what is going on in their Government and we are committed to the passage of a Freedom of Information Act whereby every citizen will have the right to know, within particular limits, what is going on in this country. We have nothing to hide, everything to show.”

Swearing In of Haydn Hughes

Mr. Baird emphasised that having worked together over the years, his and the Chief Minister’s political careers were intertwined. “He isn’t going anywhere, and I am not going anywhere,” he stated. “I want to thank the people of Road North constituency – the people of Sandy Ground, South Hill and North Hill, who first sent me to this House in 1994 and I have been here ever since. On the 16th of this month [February], I signed a five-year contract with the said people and, at the end of that five years, I intend to sign another five-year contract. And if the fellows in the Opposition aggravate me, I will extend that contract.”

He concluded by congratulating the Speaker for being the first Anguillian woman in such a parliamentary position.

Swearing In of Deputy Governor, Mr. Reid

Hon. Evan Gumbs stated in part: “I was elected to serve the people of Anguilla and I pledge to serve them. I will be open, transparent and I will be clean. I said in my first campaign I am going in clean and when it is time to leave, I will come out clean.

Swearing In of Attorney General, Mr. Bourne

“I want to say a special thank you to the people of Valley South in particular. You have not [only] made me proud, but you made Anguilla proud. This election was not about me. It was about Anguilla. I have been through the campaign for the past couple of months and I have seen the hurt and the tears in the people’s eyes and it encouraged me to go on. I promise to be your servant and not your master.

“The politics are over and now it is time for serious business. We will work together as Anguillians and rebuild this country, block by block…”

Hon. Walcott Richardson was grateful to his family, supporters and colleagues for their support during the gruelling campaign. He described his election as a partnership with the electorate of West End who put him in office as their servant.

Mrs. Barbara Webster-Bourne conducting House

“The people’s business must now be looked after and be done,” he said. “The Ministry of Immigration and Labour has already signalled its intention of setting things right, the principle being Anguillians first,” he said.

Mr. Richardson lamented that the election campaign had caused much rifts in family and church relationships and observed that it was time for healing and unity among all Anguillians, known to be a God-fearing people.

Chief Minister Hughes inspecting Guard of Honour

on. Evans McNiel Rogers pledged his full cooperation, as Leader of the Opposition, and that of his other colleagues. He noted that in addition to the Speaker, whom he commended on her 5-3 vote election, that there were several first time Members in the House and he also took the opportunity to congratulate them. He particularly congratulated Chief Minister Hughes and his team. “Even though we sit on the opposite sides of the aisle, they are the Government of Anguilla. The campaigning is over…and so we must heal our island and work together in the best interest of the people of Anguilla,” he added. “When the Government brings matters to this House that require the support of the entire House, we will absolutely have no objection to them.” He was grateful to all his constituents in Valley North for returning him to the House of Assembly.

Invited guests from Anguilla and St. Martin/St. Maarten

Hon. Othlyn Vanterpool said he was proud of the Speaker not because he was her political representative, but that he was aware of her ability, having worked together on several community initiatives. “I know that you will do a very good job and I look forward to being part of it and collaborating. I want to take this opportunity to say congratulations to my colleagues on the opposite side and I wish you the best,” he said. He also congratulated the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Evans Rogers, and Mr. Jerome Roberts. Mr. Vanterpool added that he would fulfill his promise to work on behalf of his constituents whom he thanked for their support as well as that of his family.

Hon. Jerome Roberts said that the people of his district had spoken and expressed his gratitude to those who elected him. He pledged his support for the Speaker and to ensure that the proceedings of the House were maintained at a very high level. He congratulated the AUM team for their victory at the polls. “I like to say to them that I will give of my full support to anything that I consider to be in the best interest of the people of Anguilla. I hope it is understood that I will stand firm and reject what I consider to be detrimental to this island of ours,” Mr. Roberts stated. He also congratulated Mr. Rogers and Mr. Vanterpool of the Anguilla United Front and looked forward to a cordial working relationship with them.

Officials, invited guests and supporters

Hon. Haydn Hughes noted that there were two historic features of the new House of Assembly. One was the election of Mrs. Barbara Webster-Bourne as the first female Speaker and the other his father, Mr. Hubert Hughes', appointment as Chief Minister after ten years in Opposition. He appealed for unity and for everyone to work towards the renewal and restoration of Anguilla. He said it was time for openness, transparency and good governance and looked forward to the Governor’s support. “This is a time when the goals and aspirations of the people of Anguilla will be realised. Anguilla is bigger than all of us. We know that the challenges are tremendous and we pledge to work hard …for the people of this island,” he told his listeners.

Hon. Stanley Reid noted that the Anguilla United Movement had committed itself to openness, transparency and accountability. “These are hallmarks that we seek to emulate in the Public Service as well. We are concerned about those same things and I think we are at one accord…and that should indeed make for a very viable relationship between the political directorate and public servants,” he mentioned. He informed the House that in that regard a code of ethics had been established for the workers to adhere to. “We are conscious, though, that despite an individual’s best efforts, the only way that these high ideals can be attained is through vigilance and a willingness on each of us part to be our brother’s keeper,” he pointed out.

Hon. Wilhelm Bourne, the Attorney General, spoke of his awesome responsibility which he had enjoyed since his appointment to work with the people of Anguilla with whom he had established an excellent relationship. Mr. Bourne, who was to have ended his contract by now, was very happy to have stayed back on the island to be part of the swearing in ceremony. He was grateful to the people of Anguilla who had embraced and supported him and his wife.

He said his plans to leave Anguilla were temporarily put on hold in the interest of continuing to serve the island and to assist with the transition period of the new government. He dispelled rumours that he had difficulties with the previous administration and stated that, on the contrary, he had an excellent relationship with that government.

Officials, invited guests and supporters

The Attorney General added: “I pledge to you, the people of Anguilla, to uphold the rule of law, as it is my responsibility to oversee law and order issues; and to continue to maintain, in my high office, the integrity of service, of impartiality, of fairness to all, and to give support to the Government of the day... and to be fearless in support of justice.”

Hon. Barbara Webster-Bourne was grateful to the House for the great honour bestowed on her by electing her as Speaker. “We who are elected to serve in this Honourable House, are deeply privileged to work in the very heart of our democracy,” she commented. “Our responsibility is a great one – to protect, defend and to preserve the rights and freedoms of all Anguillians as well as to pass laws for the proper governance of the island.”

She went on: “As your Speaker, I commit today to upholding the privileges of this Honourable House, while defending and protecting the rights and freedoms on which we all built our hopes and aspirations. I wish to congratulate the new Government on its election, and I also want to acknowledge and congratulate the Leader and the members of the Opposition on their election; but especially all the new members of this Honourable House. I wish you all the very best, and thank all of you for your congratulatory remarks.”

The Speaker thanked all who attended the swearing in ceremony including a Government and private sector delegation from St. Maarten.

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