The Leader of the Anguilla Progressive Movement (APM), Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster, told a public meeting on the Island Harbour Bay front about some of his goals – and those of his political grouping contesting the 2020 elections.
He was then launching his candidacy in the District 1 constituency on Saturday, February 22. He was accompanied on the rostrum by other speakers comprising fellow APM candidates and supporters.
Dr. Webster, an Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon, in Palm Beach, Florida, with a branch office in Anguilla, is now spending quality time on the island leading the APM – and working on his election campaign strategies and issues. At his launching meeting, he spoke about that campaign and his desire to return home to eventually become involved in the Government and leadership of Anguilla.
“This election will be about three things – repair, restore and create,” he told his listeners. “We shall repair the economy and bring Anguilla back on track through the expansion of fishing, tourism, alternative energy and proper development. We will restore trust by implementing good governance, reforming healthcare and transforming the education system; and we shall create opportunities by engagement of our youth through technology partnerships, jobs, education and sports. So, to the people of District 1, I say hope is on the way; to the people of Anguilla, a better and brighter future is on the way – Anguilla re-imagined.”
Dr. Webster continued: “The Anguilla Progressive Movement has produced a vision that will raise all Anguillians. It is time to give our people what they deserve – a Government that will invest in empowerment, more educational opportunities and to overhaul the education system; more investment in training; a revolving loan programme…especially for our young people to set up small businesses so that they can make a way for themselves and their families.”
He spoke about the need for policies to make it easier for homeownership. “Anguilla must own this Rock,” he stressed. “Our people need to live and earn a full income 12 months a year and not just 6 or 7 months. Our phone bill is for 12 months; our mortgages and rates are for 12 months; our electricity and water bills are for 12 months. We cannot survive on a 6-month economy…We must have fundamental changes in our tourism marketing strategies. We are to make sure that there are people coming here – day-trippers 12 months a year. That means that we will expand into St. Maarten so that we get persons to come here…and we definitely need a hotel in the east. For too long our people have to go to the west and it is time that they find employment opportunities here [in the east]. We also have to advertise in Antigua and San Juan [Puerto Rico] – these travel hubs – so that we can have Anguilla as a destination. You need a Government that has the vision and the know-how.”
The APM Leader went on: “We will create better paying and more reliable jobs in the service sector. In so doing, other sectors will develop and strive through linkages to support and expand the service sector; recreation and water sports activities; organic agriculture; food; transportation; entertainment; fisheries; the restaurant sector. You have heard about the plans that we have, but we also envision a strong Department of Fisheries – selling fishing supplies such as wire and rope as was done in the past. And also setting up communication centres with marine radios to stay in touch with our fishermen; and to be able to relay information to search and rescue teams if our fishermen get into trouble. These are things which we have to do urgently. We have to improve our roads and internal infrastructure to be able to handle this expanding economy of which we speak.”
He said he was also passionate about healthcare and there was a need for a better healthcare system.
After speaking for an extended period about various other matters, the APM Leader added: “Ring the bell” [a call for the elections].
