Mr Samuel Webster
After some 35 years of leadership, Chief Minister, Mr Hubert Hughes, has announced a new leader for the Anguilla United Movement, ending speculation about who will lead the political grouping into the 2015 general election.
Mr Hughes’ announcement came on Saturday, November 15, at an AUM mass rally on the Island Harbour Bay coastline where a walkway of red carpet led the candidates to their seats under the formal high-rise tent. The choice as leader, whom the Movement’s other member/candidates said had their full backing, is Dr Ellis Lorenzo Webster, the island’s Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, with medical and surgical practices in South Florida and Anguilla.
“The Anguilla United Movement has decided…to settle the issue of a succession plan,” Mr Hughes told his listeners. “Few people have a succession plan when they are demitting office and we want to make sure that this Movement is properly led. We want to make sure that there is no internal fighting; there is no competition for leadership; so, in a very clean and democratic manner, we have chosen the man who will be the next Chief Minister after me in this island; and I would like to know who can challenge that.”
He continued: “I am happy tonight that when I demit office, as political leader, I will have Samuel Webster’s doctor brother to be the next Chief Minister of Anguilla. So ladies and gentlemen, all the gossip about Baby Doc and Papa Doc must now come to an end. I never intended to be a Papa Doc and I never wanted my son, Haydn, to be a Baby Doc.
‘’The whole trouble is those people who call Haydn Baby Doc know about his ability. They know that he is a very able, brilliant young man; and Haydn is not over ambitious. The only ambition he has is to see the young people of Anguilla live in a healthy and prosperous island, and he is committed to service; and I know he will serve our leader, Dr Ellis Lorenzo Webster.
“Tonight is historic for another reason: that it was Ronald Webster who started and led the Anguilla Revolution to its success; and the second revolution will be conducted by another Webster – Dr Ellis Lorenzo Webster…I will tell you this: We have chosen the next Chief Minister of this island and everyone of you should respect that. Everyone of you should know that nobody can come before Ellis Lorenzo Webster, the doctor.”
Following Mr Hughes’ address, Mrs Josephine Gumbs Connor, his private legal adviser, paid tribute to his leadership and welcomed the selection of his successor, Dr Webster. She was followed by all the AUM candidates who, in turn, praised the leadership of Mr Hughes and expressed their full endorsement of the new leader.
Other speakers were Mr Edmeade Smith, a well-known AUM supporter; Dr Rejen Naidoo, a visiting Orthopaedic Surgeon and colleague of Dr Webster, who spoke about Webster’s outstanding work and commitment to service; and Dr Webster’s wife, Dr Marjorie Webster, who also spoke about her husband’s work, his commitment to Anguilla and her support for him.
In delivering his acceptance speech, Dr Webster said in part: “Chief Minister, Honourable Hubert Hughes, it is with profound gratitude and great humility that I accept your endorsement to be the new leader of the Anguilla United Movement. Thank you, sir”.
delivering address
Dr Webster stressed his often-repeated commitment “to see affordable healthcare, including specialist care for all Anguillians, so that there is less need to travel abroad for healthcare”. He also spoke about wanting to see “free healthcare and prescription drugs for the elderly; to upgrade our hospital and community clinics and build confidence in our healthcare system”. In addition, he expressed the need for public health policies to limit exposure to airborne and mosquito-borne diseases; the need for further educational opportunities for students, and the general development of the island, including the diversification of the economy.
He concluded his address by presenting a plaque to Chief Minister Hughes in recognition of his political leadership in Anguilla over the years.
