Mr Rommel Hughes, the former CEO of the Water Corporation of Anguilla, has apologised to constituents in Road North, where he initially undertook to stand as an election candidate, but eventually opted out stating that “time did not allow” him to do so.
Mr. Hughes is a former platform speaker for Mr. Edison Baird who abruptly announced his retirement from politics on April 8, the eve of Nomination Day. Late on Nomination Day, It was widely expected that Mr. Hughes would have replaced Baird, but he changed his mind, leaving Mrs. Evalie Bradley and Mr. Patrick Hanley, candidates for the Anguilla United Front and the Anguilla United Movement, respectively, in the race.
Mr. Hughes delivered a radio broadcast on Monday, April 20, in which he apologised to supporters, and told them about his present and future political plans and some of his concerns. Following is the full text of his statement:
“Constituents of Road North, well-wishers and Fellow Anguillians,
“I consider it my duty to make a statement to you on the events of the past few days regarding Mr. Edison Baird’s decision to withdraw from the political race, and my consideration to stand in the gap for our supporters. That is, the supporters of team Baird.
“Like everyone else, I, too, was stunned and disoriented by the news of Mr. Baird’s withdrawal from the political campaign. The evening of that decision was an agonising time as I was flooded by phone calls with concerns and questions about what our supporters should do. Many expressed their shock and disappointment; many requested that I represent them in the race as they felt they could not vote for either of the remaining contesting candidates.
“I wish to make it clear that I do identify with the concerns of our supporters. I do wish to make it clear that I was and still am interested and intent on resolving the dilemma that our supporters faced. I was certainly willing to represent our supporters in the upcoming general elections.
“Given the few hours available to make that important decision to be your representative, I felt that the responsible thing to do was to put in place the basic structures to support that decision. Unfortunately, time did not allow.
“As a result, I feel obliged to apologise to all our supporters and well-wishers for deflating their hopes and expectations. To the constituents of Road North, we are left to reflect on where we are as a country, as village communities, and to consolidate our values, hopes, dreams and our collective voices to propel this country forward.
“Over the last six and a half years our island country has floundered and pitched from pillar to post without any clear direction. We the citizenry were left to fend for ourselves, due to a lack of purposeful leadership from our political directorate. As citizens, it is our collective responsibility, then, to ensure that our island home is not placed in such a predicament once again. We the electorate of Road North should consider the options available to us in this general election very closely. As village communities with prise assets we should be cognisant of the fact, that our villages assets, have been targeted by both political parties to further their own agendas, without due consideration of our hopes, our aspirations, and the way of life within these communities that is worthy of preservation.
“Mr. Baird in many of his public utterances such as, who runs Anguilla, the conflict of the interest in the procurement board appointment, his hurry dog eat raw corn presentation and numerous others, warned us of this administration’s ineptitude. He tried his utmost to alert us to the many excesses of this administration, such as, the lack of processes , protocols and the wanton disrespect for the rule of law, established norms and settled procedures. And if you forgot, let me remind you, that this administration is also committed to a waste to energy project which will heap havoc on the public health of this country. A project which will affect the health of each and every persons living on this island, even those yet unborn.
“In considering your options to vote please weigh the foregone issues before deciding on who and for what to vote for.
Whatever happens as a result of the general election, we should all remain vigilant to ensure that each and every member of our Anguillian family is provided with the enabling environment to be the best that they can be, for as long as they can. I assure you that the next five years is enough time for us to begin to decide, to plan and to work together to steer the course of our common destiny, a destiny determine by us and not by others. I submit to you that, with your help, guidance and support, I Rommel Hughes will ivy to be your next representative in 2020 general election, God’s willing.
“Therefore, I am looking forward to numerous conversations with you from this day onward, so that together, we could collectively determine the most appropriate way forward for our communities and our country.
“May God bless you all, and May God continue to bless Anguilla and please make your vote count.
“Thank you.”
