ANGUILLA PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT NAVIGATES CHALLENGES WITH A MESSAGE OF HOPE

‘The Anguilla Progressive Movement understands that enhancing the foundation of a great society means investing more in its people and empowering them to take ownership of their own destiny.’ That is the APM’s Vision for Anguilla. “We are comprised of a team of innovative, visionary, competent and caring Anguillians from diverse backgrounds and experiences, capable of leading this country out of economic and social stagnation into a better, sustainable future” says Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster, Leader of the APM and District 1 candidate.
“The COVID 19 pandemic has provided its own challenges, but also unique opportunities for our campaign,” says Anguilla Progressive Movement campaign manager Alkins Rogers.
“While we started out with these huge meetings from since last year, we have now had to revert to a virtual digital campaign to make sure our message gets to the people,” he noted.
“And we think that it has – and that is indeed resonating, and we have a growing sense that the people of Anguilla are eager for a change, and are identifying with our message,” added Kyle Hodge, a young businessman, and one of the at-large candidates.
During the ‘stay at home’ regulations, including social distancing and restrictions on public gatherings and crowd size, the APM campaign continued with weekly digital forums via Zoom, Facebook and radio programs, informing the public about issues pertaining to health care, education, the economy, renewable energy and technology. The digital campaign included hours of inspirational messages, exercise, yoga and DJ performances.
The APM had its latest digital rally on Saturday night, May 9, which was streamed to thousands at home and abroad.
“If we can judge from the success and feedback of the event, we believe that our campaign is in a good place,” said Courtney Morton, who is the APM candidate for District 3.
“I am really excited to be part of this team. Our platform provides a hope and a vision. This group led by Dr . Ellis Webster is indeed ready to govern,” Kimberly Fleming, the District 7 candidate, said.
“It is clear ladies and gentlemen, that we are in a defining moment in our history. This unprecedented challenge facing Anguilla – and indeed the entire world – calls for leadership; a leadership that acts with clarity and innovation; and also with compassion and concern,” Dr Webster said at that meeting, as he promoted his party’s platform.
Dr Webster was very critical of the recently presented budget, saying it was not a package to deal with the current crisis.
“The 2020 budget is already a busted budget, which fails a basic arithmetic test. The figures just don’t add up,” he declared.
“Yet this budget was presented to the people of Anguilla as if it is business as usual, with no devastation of the economy from Covid-19; no projections on loss of revenue as our main industry, tourism, ground to a halt; no estimates of the shortfall expected from loss of customs duties; or the Interim Stabilization Levy ,” he added in what many observers called one of the hallmark speeches of the campaign.
Dr Webster noted the difficulties of the times, but said Anguilla should not despair.
“Tonight, in spite of everything – maybe because of everything – we stand firm in faith; we stand steadfast with the knowledge that when we come together, we will get through this; and we will vote for a better day,” he declared in his address.
“For in the darkest of nights, we still hope on tomorrow. In the middle of the night, when the stars don’t shine, and when dark cloud s hover, we still dream about the sunrise that tomorrow brings.” he said.
The House of Assembly was dissolved on May 9, 2020 – the proclamation from the Governor being published on the weekend in the official gazette. This signaled the end of this 5-year term of the Anguilla United Front administration, where much of the legislation was passed in the House without adequate public consultation. The dissolution of the Assembly also means that general elections in Anguilla are due by July 9, 2020.
Yet no date has been named for the polls .
“There is a sense that the Victor Banks administration, which is living on borrowed time, however wants to prolong this a little longer – and that is simply because they know they are losing,” says Haydn Hughes, who is contesting District 6 .
“But the good thing about our democracy is that you can run, but you can’t hide,” he declared.
On Monday Dr Webster sent off a letter to the Governor complaining about the failure to announce a date for the vote.
“Failure to announce the proposed date of the upcoming elections, as is the usual custom, can only be construed as political gamesmanship, a gambit which I am convinced you, or your high office, would not employ,” Dr Webster wrote.
Dr Webster, a renowned medical doctor, noted that while the pandemic might have cast some doubt about the ability to hold an election, Anguilla by its own admission has had the situation under control.
There are no suspected cases and no evidence of transmission of the COVID-19 virus within Anguilla, especially since it has been over 6 weeks since the last confirmed case.
“Therefore, there is no reason why the proposed date of the elections cannot be released immediately,” Dr Webster noted.
He stated further: “The people of Anguilla are ready to exercise their democratic right to vote for the next administration and are entitled to the proposed date. The Government should not be allowed any further unfair advantage after the Assembly has been dissolved.”
The APM message to the people of Anguilla is that we have heard your challenges, concerns and your disappointment with government. We have listened to your ideas and proposed solutions. We have heard and felt your desire for change. We have witnessed your despair transformed into hope. That is why ‘Change Can’t Wait.’
The APM slate includes Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster, District 1; former Representative Jerome Roberts, District 2; Courtney Morton, District 3; Dee-Ann Kentish Rogers, District 4; Merrick Richardson, District 5; former Parliamentary Secretary, Haydn Hughes, District 6; Kimberly Fleming, District 7; Island-wide candidates: Quincia Gumbs-Marie, Kennedy Hodge, Kenneth Hodge and Kyle Hodge.

ADVERTISEMENT