One of the matters to be eventually put right in the Anguilla Constitution is the definition of ‘Anguillian’ by which a citizen of the island is normally referred to as opposed to a British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC).
A question relating to that issue was put forward by the well-known former Nursing Administrator, Mrs. Serene Carter-Davis of Blowing Point. She raised it at the Government’s town hall meeting at North Hill on Sunday evening, November 18:
“I have a question as to what we are called and who we are. Are we BOTCs? Residents of Anguilla or are we Anguillians? I asked this because as I was writing a policy in the presence of a lawyer, I wrote ‘Anguillian’ and I was told we are not Anguillians. So I would like to know if that is what we should constantly be writing now – Residents of Anguilla or BOTCs?”
Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge, the Minister of Home Affairs with responsibility for Constitutional Affairs, replied to Mrs. Carter-Davis’ question:
“You are right in terms of the experience that you had,” the Minister explained. “There is no formal definition of ‘Anguillian’ and so we are British Overseas Territories Citizens. The term ‘Anguillian’ is a local term that we use, but it is not enshrined anywhere.
“That is one of the things, in terms of the draft Constitution, that we have going forward. I don’t know whether that discussion came up in the two parts but the first part includes the amending of the Constitution so that wherever there is the term ‘belonger’ of Anguilla, it will now be ‘Anguillian’. And so, after that first part has been approved and the draft Order in Council becomes the Order in Council, you will be able to use the term ‘Anguillian’ and it will have a meaning behind it.”
“Thank you,” Mrs. Carter-Davis responded.
