With the general election and the at large elections looming over Anguilla, during the first half of 2020, the governing Anguilla United Front (AUF) has launched its combined slate of candidates with a rally and road block event outside English Rose Restaurant in The Valley.
The launch from a decorated musical stage, on Saturday night, November 16, drew various groups of supporters and other persons who took advantage of the open area provided by the police road block.
For the seven electoral districts, the candidates are: newcomer Mr. Oris Smith, District 1, Island Harbour; incumbents Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge, District 2, East End/Sandy Hill; Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, District 3, Valley North; Mr. Victor Franklin Banks, District 4, Valley South; Mrs. Evalie Bradley, District 5, Road North; Mr. Curtis Richardson, District 6, Road South; and Mr, Cardigan Connor, District 7, Long Bay/West End.
For the elections for the four at large seats are: Mr. Othlyn Vanterpool, a previous candidate in District 1 who won in 2010 but lost in 2015; Mr. Jose’ Vanterpool, the youngest parliamentarian in Anguilla to be elected First Nominated Member and Deputy Speaker in the House of Assembly – and also the youngest election candidate; Mr. Mark Romney, the Government’s Public Relations Officer; and Mr. Lockhart Hughes, the AUF’s Chairman.
All eleven presented short prepared addresses in which they detailed their commitment to the electoral process, a clean campaign and to the leadership of Anguilla. They punctuated their deliveries with such AUF’s tag-lines as “7 plus 4 equals 11” and “While they talk, we deliver”.
The AUF Leader, Premier Victor Banks, climaxed the various presentations with what he referred to as “Speaking Notes” but on which he expanded in greater detail. Two paragraphs which put his thoughts into perspective were:
“The 2015 elections was a hard-fought contest and, at the end of it, you the people of Anguilla spoke and entrusted us with a mandate to lead our country in the direction we articulated in our campaign – and outlined in our Manifesto. We are today seeking that support for another five years.
“We believe that despite the very challenging times of the past four and a half years, we have indeed made a positive difference in Anguilla and in the lives of Anguilla people. And we will, over the coming months, continue to make that positive difference.”
Premier Banks made a concerted appeal to all parties and candidates contesting the general district election, and the at large elections, to run a clean campaign for the good reputation of Anguilla.
