Friday, July 11, is a reminder of an important event in the revolutionary history of Anguilla.
It was on that date, in 1967, that Anguilla held a referendum to determine how the people of the island felt about the issue of secession from the Associated State of St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla. The results were 1,739 votes for secession and 4 against. The referendum came almost two months after the highpoint of the Anguilla Revolution, on May 30, 1967.
Today, July 11, 2014, Anguilla is virtually in the middle of a general election campaign. Three parties – the ruling Anguilla United Movement, the Anguilla United Front and the Dove Party, along with three independent candidates – are contesting the 2015 elections.
Like in 1967, Anguilla, 47 years later, is grappling with unemployment, fiscal and economic challenges and the need for constitutional reform.