Members of the Anguilla House of Assembly joined in extending greetings for the New Year, 2021, to all the people of the island. They spoke following a brief meeting of the House on Tuesday, January 12, when five draft company bills received their first readings.
Following is a synopsis of what the members said, at the invitation of the Speaker, Mrs. Barbara Webster-Bourne, just before the adjournment:
Member for Road South, Mr. Haydn Hughes: “On behalf of myself and my family, I would like to wish, not only the constituents but, Anguilla as a whole, a very healthy and prosperous 2021; and God’s richest blessings as we move forward, as a collective unit, in a principle of partnership and cooperation.”
Member for Island-wide Electoral District, Mr. Kenneth Hodge, quoting from the Book of Joshua, gave this advice to all Government and Opposition members: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
He added: “Madam Speaker, I think that is a word for all of us in 2021. On behalf of myself, my wife and my family, I would like to extend New Year’s greetings to all members of this House – and Anguillians far and near.
“This is going to be a very difficult year for us and I urge that truthfulness, honesty and accountability be our watch words in this year.”
Member for Island-wide Electoral District, Mr. Jose Vanterpool: “It is the first time for a New Year that I almost feel that we need to congratulate ourselves for making it through such a year. Madam Speaker, I wish you, all members of the House and all constituents from Districts 1-7 a happy and prosperous 2021.
“This doesn’t mean that all of the challenges and difficulties will magically go away; but we look forward to this New Year with hope and ambition. I wish to encourage all of you to push each other. Let’s band together and, as a collective, develop not only ourselves, but Anguilla as a nation; and as God blesses us in 2021.”
Member for Sandy Hill and Leader of the Opposition, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge: “Madam Speaker, 2020 has indeed been a trying year. We know about the high tourism numbers for the first two months in 2020 which was followed by the closure of our ports when health was placed in priority over wealth. We know about the job losses – the unemployment and the underemployment – and the limited reopening of our country; and we know about our strained economy.
“But we also know, and I have seen the resilience of us as Anguillians. We have the ability to rise time, and time again, and I have no doubt that in 2021 we will rise again.”
She continued: “To our health team, I want to thank them for keeping us safe during 2020 and for continuing to do so in 2021. To our Anguillians at home and across the diaspora, residents and visitors of Anguilla, I wish you a happy, blessed and prosperous New Year. But, most especially, to the residents of District 2, I specifically wish them a Happy New Year. We have held each other up over the years. I thank you for your continual support – and I know that, as we move in 2021 and beyond, that we will continue to hold each other up; and I have each of them in my prayers.
“I also wish the members of the House of Assembly a Happy New Year and I look forward to the rest of 2021 with you.”
Member for West End, Mr. Cardigan Connor: “Madam Speaker, I first want to thank the people of District 7 who afforded me the opportunity to be here to give greetings, not just to them, but to all Anguillians, visitors and also the many friends of Anguilla.
“A year ago we were all optimistic about what a great year 2020 was going to turn out to be – especially with our tourism industry. But, within a short space of two-and-a-half months, we realise what was most important – and that was how to stay safe and to look after each other.
“It was a humbling year for all of us. I would think that it taught us a great lesson that the best way forward is to work together and keep each other safe, of course with lots of prayers.
“When we look around the Caribbean, and the rest of the world, we must consider ourselves very fortunate. We could look at some of the challenges we are facing right now, but many islands or countries in the Caribbean would rather swap places with us, in the position that that they are in.
“As we look forward to the rest of 2021, we all must look to God to make sure that we are safe – not just here in Anguilla, but our families and friends all over the world – in fact the world. It has taught us over the last year how much we need each other – not just here, but overseas.”
Member for Road North, Mr. Merrick Richardson: “I wish a Happy New Year to everyone in the House and to all in the entire island. 2020 was indeed a trying year – one that came with great loss to some of us, but also with some triumphs. We are happy to be here in 2021, and we know it is going to be a great year.
“To the residents of Sandy Ground, South Hill and North Hill, I take this opportunity to extend a very heartfelt and Happy New Year and all the best.”
Member for Island-wide Electoral District, Mr. Kyle Hodge: “I too join to wish the people of Anguilla a Happy New Year, from Districts 1-7. Madam Speaker, I would also like to thank the Chaplain of the House [Pastor Hugo Brooks] for the Scriptures this morning. I found that they were very fitting…It is no doubt that we came through a difficult year and now we are in 2021. We are in uncertain times and the only way for us to overcome the challenges we face is to collaborate and work together in one accord. I wish the people of Anguilla a healthy and prosperous 2021.”
Member for Island-wide Electoral District, Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie: “Happy New Year to you, Madam Speaker, and to the staff of the House Assembly for helping us with our transition into Government and Parliament. We look forward to closely working with them in this year and others.
“This year we will have a tremendous legislative agenda and that the work of the House will be plentiful, but it will be for the people of Anguilla…I too thank the Chaplain and recognise that the Scripture [he read] was fitting for where we are at. This is a season that really captures and reflects strength, freedom and pride. This is the work that we have to do for 2021 and beyond.
“I also want to take this opportunity to say Happy New Year to the people of Anguilla. Like my colleague, Mr. Kyle Hodge, we don’t have the luxury of looking at one district. But with immense pride we represent all the districts of Anguilla – through Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 – Happy New Year. We look forward to working with you to realise the Anguilla we reimagined and promised the people of Anguilla.”
Member for Valley South, Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers: “I want to wish the members of this House a Happy New Year. This is the turn of a New Year, yes, but it is the continuation of life as we know it. Life, as we know it, has changed drastically over the past nine months since the onset of the global pandemic – but it has reminded us that we must remain grateful. One of the main important principles when going through times of uncertainty, is to hold on to things that we are grateful for.
“I am grateful at this moment for the opportunity to serve the people of Anguilla in this capacity – especially the people of District 4 to whom I wish to extend a Happy New Year greeting. But I am also grateful for the work that the Government is doing to ensure that Anguilla remains safe; that we protect our people; and that we can open our country sustainably in the coming months.
“I want to take this opportunity, Madam Speaker, to say that although things are challenging, and times are uncertain, it is an opportunity for us, as a people, to work together. I know we say that is a lot. It is like a catch phrase – working together, collaborating and partnership. But it is a very serious principle because, unless we collaborate, nothing can be achieved. And, as we look forward to this 2021 year, I want to impress upon the people of Anguilla that the best way for us to make it a Happy New Year is for us to take that togetherness and collaboration seriously. I want to join my colleagues in saying Happy New Year to the people of Anguilla and thank you for the opportunity.”
Acting Deputy Governor, Mrs. Kathleen Rogers: “Madam Speaker a Blessed New Year to you and all members of House and the staff. In my capacity as Acting Deputy Governor, I wish to say a Blessed New Year to all public servants and a productive 2021. I know that 2020 was a challenging year, and very difficult for many of us, and I thank all public servants for their service during the difficult times.
“I look forward to 2021 with the expectation that we would try to serve with excellence. To my staff in the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health, in particular, I want to say keep up the good work. In general, I wish the people of Anguilla, both here and abroad, a blessed and heathy 2021. May God bless you all. To my family and friends, I love you all.”
Premier and Leader of Government Business, Dr. Ellis Webster: “We have turned the clock from 2020 to 2021, and it is good to be here. I would like to take this opportunity to wish a happy, heathy and successful New Year to you, Madam Speaker, for getting us to this point – and for the way that you have graciously handled us and those on the other side of the aisle. I would like to wish the same to the Opposition; to the members of the Cabinet, the Acting Governor [Mr. Perin Bradley] who would have been here, but in his new role, he is not. I would like to wish him the same, and success, as he carries us through until the swearing in of the new Governor. I wish her travelling mercies and a Happy New Year also.
“Madam Speaker, to the people of District 1 who have been resilient; have stood tall; and have helped to get us to this point, where we can be able to stand in the House, representing them, I would like to say happy, pleasant and a successful New Year. To the rest of Anguilla, Anguillians here at home and abroad, and to friends of Anguilla, I would like to say Happy New Year.
“We had meetings with Anguillians in the United Kingdom over the weekend. It was very heartening to know that Anguillians, wherever they are, still think about the ‘Rock’ and about this being home – and wanting to maintain this paradise. I want to thank God, most of all, for giving us this opportunity to be able to represent the people of Anguilla. Those who have helped us through 2020 – and the tough times by working hard – I want to especially single out our hospitality workers and our frontline workers who put themselves in harm’s way – not caring about their own health, but the wellbeing of this country.
“I say that this was a year of sacrifice and hope – and the Island-wide Member, Mr. Jose Vanterpool, also hinted at that. We have hope because: one, we are alive; two, we are Anguillians, resilient, proud, strong and free. To those who have lost loved ones, I would also like to wish them strength and comfort; and to those who are sick… I want them and their families to know that we remember and care about them because we all are one, unified under one banner, Anguilla.”
Premier Webster added: “Thank you, Chaplain, for the Scripture which you brought to us in this season. Certainly, not everyone will agree with the decisions that are made, but this is in the best interest of Anguilla. Again, I wish a Happy New Year to all.”
The Speaker wound up the session by thanking the House of Assembly Staff, the Chaplain, Sergeant-at-Arms and all Members of the House for their contribution to Anguilla’s well-being. “May your New Year be truly blessed.”
The House of Assembly was adjourned until Tuesday, January 26 at 10 a.m.
