As the electioneering process gears up in Anguilla, the former long-established Anguilla United Movement (AUM) has emerged as a rebranded political grouping called the Anguilla Progressive Movement (APM) seeking the leadership of the island. It promulgates the slogan “Change Can’t-Wait”.
The APM launched its bid for the 2020 district general election and announced its seven candidates on Saturday night, October 5, at the Island Harbour shoreline with a considerably large number of persons in attendance. It plans to announce its candidates for the four at large, or island-wide, seats at a later date.
The district candidates are: Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster, District 1, Island Harbour; Mr. Jerome Roberts, District 2, East End/Sandy Hill; newcomers Mr. Courtney Morton, District 3, Valley North; Ms. Dee Ann Kentish-Rogers (former Miss Anguilla, former Miss Universe Great Britain, former athlete and a Barrister-at-Law), District 4, 
Valley South, (replacing Mr. Evan Gumbs who withdrew his candidacy); Mr. Merrick Richardson, District 5, Road North; Mr. Hadyn Hughes(repeated candidate), District 6, Road South; and newcomer, Miss Kimberley Fleming, District 7, West End.
In setting the stage for the meeting, and the addresses by the other speakers, Dr. Webster spoke to the audience as follows – after outlining some of the APM’s goals during a colourful video presentation:
“Welcome to a new era. We are here tonight because we are about to make history, and Anguilla deserves it. And as you see on the shirts, everywhere, ‘Change Can’t-Wait’ and that’s what we are asking for. So we are here to introduce Anguilla to its new vanguard. We are building on the legacy of those who have come before, and the tried and trusted principles that have guided them, and [we are] embracing new energies and deeper vision amid a changing electoral landscape. You spoke and we listened. We went around in the communities; we went to your homes and we heard what you said: that it is time for a change in Anguilla.
“Anguilla does not have [a] living wage; does not have decent healthcare; people cannot make ends meet; working people must have a better life and that’s what we are here to represent. A movement is a group of people, working together to advance their shared political or social ideas: when people intervene in the process and are not just spectators or passive participants. A movement provides a political voice to those w
ho feel disenfranchised.
“When we think of Anguilla, we think resilience, dependability, family, marine life – we fish, we sail. Our national sport is boat-racing. When we think of a movement, we think of progressive sustainability, moving forward; winding our sails, leadership. And so, tonight, I like to present to you a new symbol – one that represents change; one that says now is the time; a new generation and a boat which sails mimicking the letter ‘A’ for Anguilla with the wind pushing it forward, representing positivity and steadfastness of the movement. Ship Anguilla sailing the seas, purpose-built, sturdy, mission-focused. That’s what the new symbol represents – and the colours are dark blue and light blue, taken from the Anguilla Flag to show our history and our future.
“Behold your movement – the Anguilla Progressive Movement – APM –born with the blessings of the AUM, and after consultation with many people in the society. This new movement represents a broader coalition – a bigger tent and together, united, we are ready for change.”
Earlier, Dr. Webster, speaking during a video presentation on Anguilla, stated in part:
“We shall seek to build a robust and viable economy based on the smart management of all our resources, and through implementing policies that encourage local entrepreneurship.
“At the centre of reducing unemployment, and improving earnings, will be the expansion of the services sector to include a new focus on sports and medical tourism, and the development of an entertainment industry that seeks to export the talent of our young people globally.
“We are determined to let our society to be judged the same way all great societies are judged – by the way it takes care of its very young and elderly.
“We shall set about to build just not another society, but a just, fair and flourishing society.”
The meeting began with a concert-like show with selections by a number of singers. This introductory event, in addition to the curiosity and interest generated by the emergence of the Anguilla Progressive Movement, and the youth involved, assisted in attracting the large and attentive crowd to the meeting.
The Anguillian will publish further details about the Anguilla Progressive Movement as may be made available as it continues its campaigning.
