The Anguilla United Movement (AUM) is poised to run against the incumbent governing party, the Anguilla United Front, in 2020.
With the next general election being less than two years away, the AUM, under the leadership of Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster, held its first pre-election press conference on Tuesday, October 16th, at the Raymond Guishard Technical Centre. It was to introduce the members of its party as well as to familiarize the public with its executive body. The movement will campaign under the theme, “Putting Anguilla First.”
Representing District #1 is Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster himself; and Mr. Jerome Roberts is the representative for District 2. No representative has been assigned to District #3 as yet, as Dr. Webster noted that the district is still undergoing a vetting process to determine who will be its representative. District #4 is represented by Mr. Evan Gumbs, while the candidate for District #5 is Mr. Merrick Richardson. The representative for District #6 is Mr. Haydn Hughes, and the representative for District #7 is Ms. Kimberly Fleming.
A cadre of officers, who will direct the executive affairs of the AUM, make up the Executive Committee. These include: Mr. Samuel Webster, Chairman; Mr. Oliver McDonna, Deputy Chairman; Mrs. Ivy Plank, Secretary; Mr. Hugo Brooks, Treasurer; and Mr. Leon Lake, Public Relations Officer.
In his inauguration address, Dr. Webster stipulated many current deficiencies, as he sees them, which are affecting the people of Anguilla. He pointed out that he leads a “strong and united” team which puts country aboveself. Among other things he said:
“I want to send thoughts and prayers on behalf of those affected by Hurricanes Florence and Michael, especially for those who have lost loved-ones. There are Anguillians everywhere these days, including the affected areas, some of whom would have helped us to recover from Hurricane Irma.
“These are the times with which we are faced, and how we as a people will respond will determine Anguilla’s fate for decades. The Anguilla situation is dire. We have a national debt exceeding EC$700 million. We have a banking resolution adopted by the Anguilla United Front administration which has significantly expanded the debt, crippled the economy, decreased investor confidence, caused severe reputational harm to Anguilla, and obligated us to new, increased taxes for 25 years.
“Our government is intent on raiding the Social Security Fund while other countries in the region are building social security safety nets for their citizens. Our country is floundering, while neighbouring islands are flourishing.
“Our talented youth are leaving school without the hope of acquiring jobs. This contributes to their sense of abandonment and disenfranchisement. Those who could leave have left our shores. The rest are prone to disengagement and crime.
“Our people are suffering. The job market is non-existent, and our health care system is inadequate. The education system is deficient and our Government does not care. This is the worst of times — our season of darkness. It’s our winter of despair. But all is not lost. Our hope is not all gone; our dreams are not shattered.
Today, I humbly present a team of young, competent, God-fearing, battle-ready Anguillians who have put country above self and are well capable, God being our helper. Our aim is to stabilize Anguillla, restore its good name, revive the economy, reengage our youth, take care of our elderly, and make a brighter future for our people. Each one of us, Jerome, Evan, Merrick, Haydn, Kimberly and I, have unique backgrounds, skills and experiences; but, what unites us is that we care deeply for our people and love our native land. We do not have all the answers, but we promise you listening ears, open minds and caring hearts.
As the candidates were introduced, they addressed the press conference one by one, and gave expressions of their determination to accomplish a greater good for the country at large, should they be elected to office in 2020.
Many questions were asked by the media of the candidates. The first question was posed by veteran broadcaster Mr. Ralph Hodge, who inquired from Mr. Webster as follows: “How do you intend, as Leader of the party, to change the sort of direction that Anguilla has been accustomed to traveling when there have been so many promises with hardly anything being accomplished?”
Mr. Webster replied: “In Anguilla, we know what the issues are, but over time we have fallen for the promises that the politicians make when they come to ask for votes. Politicians may feel obligated to make promises which some know they can’t keep. We feel that where Anguilla is right now, with the large national debt and with the economy going backward, we must find areas where we can make sure that Anguilla progresses and the economy points in a positive direction. One of the areas that will serve to help the people of Anguilla is health services. Health care is very important.
“It is necessary in this 21st century that we must have adequate health care for our people. We have to do prevention and health education, yes, but we must also provide the services. One of the things that we will make sure happen (and this is not just a promise) is that we will have multi-specialist health care here in Anguilla, so that the money that goes outside of Anguilla to provide health care services will be spent right here, having that money being circulated in Anguilla.”
Another question was asked of Mr. Webster by Mr. Wycliffe Richardson of Anguilla Television ATV: “The last time I checked the constitution, and coming out of the last general elections in Anguilla, there were seven electoral seats; but I noticed you have presented six candidates here today. Is that by design? Are you going to be presenting only six candidates for the 2020 general elections?”
Mr. Webster answered: “Currently there are seven districts. There is also the proposal that there might be the ‘at large’ four seats. We are not sure, before the next general election, how many seats there will be. However, we have six confirmed candidates, and the AUM is an organization that is structured. We have district selection teams that meet with potential candidates, and once they have determined that they think a person is the best to represent the people in the district, they bring it to the executive who then brings it to the general body for a decision.
“At this point in time in District #3 there are several persons that are now being vetted by the District Selection Team. I have spoken to several people, including some in the last two days, who have shown interest. But I feel that at this time we needed to be here (even with six) because the word on the street is that the AUM is dead and that we have broken up — that we don’t exist. But I want the people of Anguilla to know that the Anguilla United Movement is a team that is strong and united. We are of one accord with the purpose of representing the people that we love and the country that we hold dear to us.”
