Outgoing Chairman of the governing Anguilla United Party, Mr. Fritz Smith, says he has run his course of service and is stepping down -though he will still be available for assistance.
He was speaking to media representatives on Sunday, October 28, just before the party’s convention was postponed as a mark of respect to the Speaker of the Anguilla House of Assembly and a founding member of the party, the late Mr. Leroy Rogers.
Mr. Smith stated: “I am calling it quits from the chairmanship of the party. I believe like in any leadership position that a person should not really serve not more than ten years (two terms). I have done that. It was decided after my second election as Chairman that it was my last. We are now going into another [party] election so I think that it is time for a new set of younger people to take over the operations of the party and seek to guide it along a route that we all see fit. I am not standing for the chairmanship of the party but I remain a very strong member; a strong supporter and the campaign manager for district 4. And for those who think that I am done, they need to know that I will play my role in the party in different ways, but as to the chairmanship, no.
Mr. Smith stressed: “I think the party is in a very strong position and that is why I can say, in all conscience, that it is time for me to go. I think for the last ten years the organisation has moved from strength to strength. We have certain types of organisations within the organisation…to run a decent campaign; to do what we are supposed to do to support the Government; and to ensure that we win the next general election. I will continue to assist wherever I can. I have committed to working along with the new chairman, and his or her board, for the next four to six months to ensure that the transition is complete and is on a strong footing. The old party executive will also work along with the incoming executive to ensure that the party continues to work hard for the next general election and beyond that.”
Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks, who has a close working relationship with Mr. Smith, said: “Mr. Smith has been as indispensable as anybody can be indispensable. Certainly, he can chalk up as one of his achievements the fact that the Anguilla United Front was returned to office with a majority of six of the seven seats. He would have been the leader in making that possible. He is the kind of person who just needs direction. He is a self-starter and he has the respect of elected members and candidates to keep them on track – and they respect his views and opinions when he calls on us to do anything which he believes is critical for the party’s development. He is always there and that is his strength. We certainly cannot imagine how we will be going into the next election without him but, as I said before, they are many more youngsters in the party who are very enthusiastic and have the capacity to lead within campaign organisations – but certainly they will not necessarily be a Fritz Smith. They may distinguish themselves going forward but, in terms of what we know about Mr. Smith, in the future it will be something totally different. We are grateful for the fact that he will still be around. He is not going to leave us and will work with us going into the future.”
Mr. Banks continued: “Mr. Smith also serves as the Government’s Sherpa. The Sherpa’s responsibility has to do with the European Union, managing the process and keeping into contact with our EU/UK Representative; keeping apprised of all the issues; and organising meetings and events. The Sherpa is working without salary. As part of his responsibilities as the Sherpa for the European Union, we also use him as somebody to work within the Anguillian diaspora – and we have had considerable successes in bringing the organisation together and even extending the group to Birmingham; and we are looking for a much wider outreach out of Slough. We are living in an age of social media and there is no information that cannot reach persons who are connected. All of those persons are not voters, but all of them have a keen interest in Anguilla and we need that support for issues in the United Kingdom.”
