Mr. Curtis Richardson, otherwise known as “Curtis Love”, has ended his political affiliation with the Anguilla United Front. This is according to a letter he wrote to former Premier, Mr. Victor Banks – leader of the AUF.
Mr. Richardson’s letter, which carried the above headline, and is dated April 12, 2021, followed a Facebook announcement from the AUF, the previous day, which stated: “Transitioning AUF Convention April 17th & 18th”.
Mr. Banks and his AUF Government, in which Mr. Richardson was the Minister of Infrastructure, lost the 2020 general election. The Anguilla Progressive Movement (APM) became the new Government and Mr. Banks subsequently announced his retirement from politics.
Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge, the former Minister of Home Affairs and Education, is the Deputy Leader of the AUF. It is understood that she will, more than likely, be elected and ratified as the new Leader of the party at the weekend’s “Transitioning” Convention.
Following is the letter to Mr. Banks from Mr. Richardson – and Mr. Bank’s reply.
Road South
Anguilla
AI 2640
April 12, 2021
Victor F Banks
Sachasses
Anguilla
AI 2640
Dear Mr Banks
RE: CURTIS LOVE ENDS POLITICAL AFFILIATION WITH THE AUF
I trust this letter meets you in the best of health. I am writing you in your capacity as the Leader of the Anguilla United Front to inform you that it has been decided that I will no longer be affiliated with the Organisation.
I resigned my job in Ocotber 2004 to enter politics at the highest levels with the hopes of moving my country upwards and onwards. I was contesting the General Elections in 2005 as an independent candidate but eventually contested the General Elections of February 2005 as the candidate in Road South for the newly formed ANSA Party named the Anguilla National Strategic Alliance. I was unsuccessful.
In March of 2005 I was told by the late Honourable Albert Hughes “Belto: of West End that I too will be asked by the Honourable Chief Minster Mr. Osbourne Fleming to work within his government. In May of 2005 I started as the Special Assistant for Public Relations and ended my 5 years tenure as the Special Advisor to the Chief Minister.
In 2010 the AUF went into transition and you became the new Party Leader. As a team we contested the 2010 General Elections and again I was not successful. Nevertheless, I learnt my most valuable lesson ever in the cruelty of politics. To God be the glory great things he hath done.
Having strategized heavily and with the support of people in the Road South area it was decided that I should contest the 2015 General Elections as a candidate with the AUF under your leadership. I did so and was successful. I worked from April 23, 2015 to June 29, 2020 as the Honourable Elected Member for Road South and as the Honourable Minister of Infrastructure. I am grateful to God first of all for the opportunity to have served my country in this capacity and to you for your leadership. Politics is nothing without a team. Winning a seat in Parliament is one thing but operating as a government is another. I am determine to work with people who are compassionate to the sufferings and plight of others and who can appreciate the varying opinions of others.
I was unsuccessful in the June 29, 2020 General Elections. God is always in the midst bringing his perfect will to bear. I could not have orchestrated the music to play as brilliantly and as sweet as it is playing now. My life had never been my own. I have always marched to the drumbeat God plays although at times I may have taken a step or two in my own timing. My heart is completely stirred to do things differently regarding politics and God has not allowed me at this time to take a step or two in my own timing. I am therefore under great conviction informing you that I am ending my political affiliation with the AUF. I go in peace but a very able solider.
Sincerely
Curtis “LOVE” Richardson
cc: THE PUBLIC MEDIA
_______________________________________
Sachasses,
Anguilla
April 12, 2021
Mr. Curtis A. Richardson
Blowing Point,
Anguilla
Dear Curtis,
Re: Resignation from the Anguilla United Front
I received your letter dated April 12, in which you informed me as Leader of the Anguilla United Front (AUF) of your decision to end your political affiliation with our party. I have interpreted that to mean that you have resigned as a member of the AUF.
Your letter has been circulated among AUF members via WhatsApp and email to apprise them of your decision.
As you detailed in your letter you have indeed been associated with the AUF since 2005 in different capacities and you have been a valuable member of the Team. We especially appreciated your zeal and energy on the campaign but equally in all aspects of the work our party has been doing for the advancement of our homeland.
You did not mention in your letter the recent issues we have been examining in your relationship with the party, but it is important to draw your attention to the fact that those issues will be a factor in how your decision will be regarded among the rank and file members of the AUF. In any case, it is important that given your decision, we simply move on and allow TIME to do the work it does so well in matter of this nature.
I expect that you would have informed your District 6 cell group of your decision and therefore at the upcoming party convention (scheduled for April 17 & 18) they will advise us regarding their plans for filling the void that your departure will create. I can confirm that they have been extremely loyal to you throughout your tenure as Candidate as well as throughout the recent episodes to which I alluded earlier.
On a personal note our relationship over the period of our acquaintance has always been fraternal and I do not expect that to change. Neither do I expect that there will be any hard feelings between you and your former party colleagues/members. Many seeds of goodwill have been planted over the span of these relationships.
I sincerely wish you the best in whatever path you choose in the realm of politics, in particular, but in all aspects of your life as well. As you pointed out you are indeed an able soldier. We will all fondly remember your contribution to the AUF party and Governments in all its aspects over the last fifteen years.
Blessings,
Victor F. Banks
Anguilla United Front
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
