Anguilla’s first professional cricketer inEnglandandAustralia, Cardigan Connor, has entered the island’s political arena as the Opposition Anguilla United Front’s candidate for District 7 (West End) in the next general election.
Mr. Connor’s candidacy was announced by AUF Party Leader, Victor Banks, at a press conference on Tuesday, January 24, as the new face on the United Front’s slate of candidates. “Mr. Cardigan Connor was nominated by Mr. Kenswick Richardson who was the party’s candidate in the last election. He was nominated with the support of the District 7 cell to be the candidate for any upcoming election,” Mr. Banks told reporters.
He said Mr. Connor, who was best known for his involvement in cricket, and working with young people, had also recently become involved in recognitions for persons involved in the national sport of boat-racing. “We are proud to have Mr. Connor on board because I believe that he is a very articulate young man who can express and deliberate the issues as they affect us,” Mr. Banks went on. “He has demonstrated his leadership skills and ability, his passion for young people, community and community development; and he is the ideal kind of individual that meets the focus and agenda of the Anguilla United Front forAnguilla.”
Replying, Mr. Connor said he returned toAnguilla22 years ago. He was born at the Cottage Hospital, on March 24, 1961, to James Hughes and Ethlyn Connor ofWest End. He grew up there where he attended school until he passed his 11-plus examination to go The Valley Secondary School. He later migrated to England where he joined his mother.
In England, he attended the Warenfield Comprehensive School and then went on to Langley College where he did an engineering degree. On May 30, 1984, he made his first class debut with Hampshire County Cricket Club. He spent the English winters as an overseas professional at the MereweatherDistrict Club inNew South Wales, in Australia.
Connor returned to Anguillain 1991 to start the Anguilla Youth Cricket Development Programme which produced a list of outstanding cricketers including Omari Banks,Shaka Hodge, Momsin Hodge, Chesney Hughes, Kelbert Walters and Jamar Hamilton. They have represented the West Indies, Leeward Islands,Somersetand Derbyshire.“Being able to pass on to the young cricketers of Anguilla what I have learnt during my cricketing career, is like passing a baton in a relay race,” he continued. “At this point, I would like to publicly thank Mr. Kenswick Richardson who has passed the baton on to me as the Anguilla United Front’s representative in District 7. I would also like to thank the Anguilla United Front’s cell group in District 7, as well as all well-wishers, for their words of encouragement.
“I see it as my duty to take a leadership role, making a positive impact on the lives of the residents of District 7 as well as all Anguillians. That is why I have willingly accepted the call to become the representative of the Anguilla United Front Party in District 7. In the Anguilla United Front I see a party with strong leadership, a party that is focused on finding solutions to our challenging times.
“Finally, I want to say special thanks to my wife, Jackie, whom I have known for the past 28 years, and I have been here inAnguillafor the past 21 years.”
During question time, Mr. Connor said: “I would like to think that I have great leadership qualities and experience from working with the youth. I have a great passion for my island and people, and I will do my best to show the people of District 7 (West End) and all Anguillians, that I will be a worthy candidate.”
He said that a big part of the challenge facing him was to make the case of what he could bring to the table, and that the misconceptions some people had about the AUF party were quite false.
“I am determined to be successful. I am hoping to win,” Mr. Connor added. “I will give it my best shot, and I need the people in West End andAnguillato know that in my heart I want to do my best. That is the legacy that I want to leave. Not just as a county cricketer or the first Anguillian county cricketer. I want to be somebody who has made a positive impact on the lives of all Anguillians.”
