On Saturday February 22nd 2020, the Hon. Palmavon Webster launched her Re-election Campaign to be the Representative for District One in the 2020 General Elections. Well-wishers, family and friends gathered together in an atmosphere of love and unity to listen to the cadre of speakers chaired by Ms. Waynika Romney and to show their unwavering support to the Independent Candidate for District One.
The event focused on the overarching theme “Pam Webster, Caring for You” and highlighted the hard work and dedication of Ms. Webster in giving excellent representation to the people of District One. Several speakers graced the platform to show their support for Ms. Webster and to endorse her leadership and capabilities as the Elected Member for the District.
Mr. Felix Fleming, the first speaker on the platform, noted that there were many candidates in the race, but only 11 will be elected and only 6 will form Government. In his impassioned speech, Mr. Fleming called on the people of District One to do the right thing for the good of the country by “putting Pam Webster, Caring for You, back in the House of Assembly”……“We know what we got, we don’t know what we will get”. Ms. Marie Horsford, in her presentation, highlighted Pam Webster’s strong faith in God and her Christian values which have served her well in her dual role as the Elected Member for District One and as Leader of the Opposition. Ms. Horsford spoke of Pam’s dedication to the people of District One, even before she was elected to office – a demonstration of her unwavering commitment to the people.
National Hero Mr. Wilkin Smith, known throughout the District and Anguilla, endorsed Pam Webster who has been a force for good in the community and has lived with and amongst the people. Mr. Terrance Webster also gave his full endorsement to Pam Webster noting her firm commitment to education and the development of the youth through the Island Harbour Care Centre and her incredible efforts to clean up District One within days after Hurricane Irma using her own resources. A testimonial by Leticia Levenstone on the Island Harbour Care Centre was also well received by those in attendance.
The platform was also a first for two powerful youth speakers. Mr. Jibri Lewis and Ms. Terraine Webster. Mr. Jibri Lewis thanked Pam Webster’s for all she had done in assisting him “to bring renewable energy to Anguilla”. Mr. Lewis also spoke of Pam Webster’s support for Youth Parliamentarians noting that Ms. Webster “not only want youth to have a seat at the table but to be integrated into the decision making process”. As Leader of the Opposition in the Anguilla Youth Parliament, Mr. Lewis noted that Pam Webster is the only Politician who stays at the Youth Parliament Sittings after the photographers and other members of the media have left.
Ms. Terraine Webster, in her triumphant presentation, publicly thanked Pam Webster and her One Anguilla Vision for paving the way for the One Anguilla Youth Movement which has grown significantly. As president of the One Anguilla Youth Movement, Terraine noted that the group is already making a difference in the community, including the recently refurbished Basketball Court which was a project they initiated by applying for grant funding through the Island Harbour Care Centre. Terraine Webster spoke to the political divide in her presentation noting “no longer shall our lives and views be disregarded because you wear blue today and I wear yellow tomorrow. Anguilla is in dire need of leaders who will stand to be corrected, that will stand to be held accountable, that will stand to be as transparent as our welcoming waters, and will stand to create equal and new opportunities for all regardless of our colour, our educational background, and our parentage”.
In her comprehensive feature presentation, the Hon. Palmavon Webster spoke of her unwavering commitment to Anguilla and to District One, noting that she returned to give back to the community and country that gave her so much because it was “the right thing to do”. After losing the election in 2010 Ms. Webster noted, “I did not quit, I did not pack my bags or fly away.”
Ms. Webster is the first female Elected Representative for District One, and the first female Leader of the Opposition to introduce three pieces of legislation focused on Protecting Women and Children to the House of Assembly. Ms. Webster was also the first to mobilize the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) since 1976, a body which was dormant for 44 years!
In her presentation, Ms. Webster outlined several areas of focus in 2020 and beyond:
“Affordable Housing: Low-Income Housing Developments, a special credit facility for borrowers, and transforming abandoned properties into rent to own units.”
“Healthcare: Implementing a National Health Insurance Programme to make healthcare more accessible and affordable to our people. Ensure that all healthcare facilities, including the healthcentre at Welches, have the necessary equipment, supplies and staff to operate at maximum efficiency. Invest in preventative care through community based programmes that focus on healthy lifestyles. And provide more funding to mental health services.”
“Education: equality in the education system and improving the curriculum so that children attending Vivien Vanterpool and Morris Vanterpool, and other institutions, have the best advantage in this fast paced world. Implementing a Book Loan Programme so that parents no longer have to struggle with the high costs of text books. Improving facilities and conditions for children with learning and physical disabilities.”
“Economy: Greater investment for our fishermen is important. By allocating funding to developing our infrastructure in fisheries we can export high quality fish and fish products to regional and international markets. In addition, there is room for improvement in agriculture. Hydroponics and organic farming and livestock are important to be more food secure and create employment for our farmers and their families. I am also advocating for greater support for poor households in Anguilla by introducing social protection programmes that will provide greater financial assistance through cash transfers to families that need it most.”
“Cutting Taxes: The tax burden on our people is too great, the cost of living is too high, and I am a firm believer in cutting taxes. We can achieve this by reducing government wastage and stamping out corruption so that the public purse can work for the people.”
Ms. Webster intends to sustain the positive energy of her re-election campaign right through to Election Day in 2020.
– Press Release
