In a show of statesmanship – the Speaker and Members of the Government’s side of the Anguilla House of Assembly, have paid tribute to the Leader of the Opposition, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge, and her colleague, Mr. Cardigan Connor.
The congratulations they received were for their election to new positions in the Anguilla United Front which formed the previous national Government.
At the AUF’s Convention on Saturday, April 17, Mrs. Richardson Hodge was elected Leader of the party in succession to former Premier, Mr. Victor Banks. Mr. Connor was elected Deputy Leader.
The tributes were begun by Premier Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster, Member for Island Harbour and Leader of Government Business: “I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the Member for Sandy Hill [Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge] on her ascension to be the Leader of the Anguilla United Front party,” he said. “I think that this is of significant note; and in Anguilla we need to rise above politics – and we congratulate and honour those who are here representing the interest of the people.
“I also wish to commend and congratulate the Honourable Cardigan Connor, Member for West End, for his role as Deputy Leader of the party.
“We look forward to continuing to debate in the best interest of the people as we go forward.”
Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mrs. Barbara Webster-Bourne, said: “I too add my congratulations to another lady who has taken on that great role. God’s blessings on you, as you go forward.”
Minister of Education and Social Development, the Elected Member for Valley South, Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, stated: “Madam Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to the Leader of the Opposition who has now taken on the role of Leader of the Anguilla United Front; and to the Honourable Member for West End, for his new role in the Anguilla United Front.”
Responding, the Leader of the Opposition, Mrs. Richardson-Hodge, said: “In relation to my appointment as Party Leader, I thank the Leader of Government Business, the Premier, for his congratulatory remarks, as well as the Member for Valley South. I thank you as well, Madam Speaker, for your kind words. We certainly look forward to continue our spirit of debate in the House of Assembly when necessary. We also will continue to work for the best interest of Anguilla.”
Mr. Cardigan Connor was also grateful to the Speaker and the Members for Island Harbour and Valley South for their kind remarks. As always, he paid tribute to his mentor, the late Mr. Albert Hughes, a former Elected Representative for West End, for his mentorship and his [Mr. Connor’s] constituents, for their support over the years.
