Fellow Anguillans!
Yesterday I experienced a great sense of loss when I heard of the passing of my colleague the late Honourable Hubert Benjamin Hughes, former Chief Minister of Anguilla and a longstanding member of the Anguilla of House of Assembly.
My sympathies go out especially to his dear wife Mrs. Norma Hughes whose grief at this time must be heart wrenching. And of course, I also commiserate with his children (including the Hon. Haydn Hughes); his siblings (including Capt. Freddie Hughes); his entire family circle; his many supporters; his many friends, and indeed the entire Anguillian community as we all reflect on memories of his life and now his untimely departing
Our fallen patriot has been a household name in Anguillian politics for almost sixty years. I first came to know the late former Chief Minister, Mr. Hughes while I was a student at the Valley Secondary School. Mr. Hughes as an Anguillian returning at the time from the United Kingdom he delivered a speech at that assembly of students that may have been our first exposure to his life long thesis on colonial politics.
As a parliamentary colleague, I worked with Mr. Hughes both in Government and in Opposition and despite our differences on several occasions I came to respect his fervour for his beliefs and his skill as a politician in every aspect of his service.
His contribution to Anguilla in every role that he served will be remembered by many of us in our several ways. However, he left a memorable mark on the people of the Road South Electoral District where he served for over forty years and was greatly loved and admired.
As Anguillans at home and abroad grapple with the loss of this fallen patriot let us also express our gratitude to his family for allowing us the benefit of his contribution to the service of our homeland.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and his immediate family that they may be comforted in the knowledge that he is in a better place with his creator at this time.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
