By all accounts, Anguilla has one of the most attractive and stately parliamentary buildings in the Caribbean area. It is a bitter-sweet experience in that, in September 2017, Hurricane Irma reduced the building to shambles. But, today, it has been superbly refurbished – thanks to UK Government funds and its excellent restoration by smart Anguillian workmen.
Carrying the name, Atlin Noraldo Harrigan Parliamentary Building, it immortalises the memory of one of Anguilla’s revolutionary heroes. With the national symbol of the three dolphins, carved into a piece of the historic mahogany tree, mounted behind the Speaker’s Chair, the building also pays homage to the spirit of strength and endurance of the Anguillian people. In addition, a substantial portion of the floor is tiled with Anguilla rock in a fine display of patriotism.
It was in this setting that, in the presence of a sizeable crowd of invitees, the keys to the building were handed over by Governor Tim Foy, OBE, to the Speaker, Mrs. Barbara Webster-Bourne, on Friday, October 16. “Where we are today, brings to the fore where we were on September 7, 2017, when we emerged from our homes and places of shelter, to witness the destruction caused by the passage of Hurricane Irma,” the Speaker recalled. “And now, three years later, we are battling a global pandemic – but are still grateful for what we have been able to accomplish in spite of it all.”
In paying tribute to the UK Government, the Anguilla Government and the people of the island, Mrs. Webster-Bourne pledged: “To the people of Anguilla, I affirm my commitment to support the development of an independent, efficient and effective Assembly that is responsive to your aspirations; and one that actively participates in the transformation of Anguilla to meet those aspirations.”
She further stated: “This Assembly, through its Select Committee of Parliamentary Reform, has been meeting weekly to further its reform agenda. That [reform] will progress the refurbishment of the Assembly beyond the physical space to include a revision of the Standing Orders or Rules of the House; a review of the administration and financing of the House; and a re-think of how the Assembly interfaces with the people it serves.”
Governor Foy commented: “It’s quite a magnificent building and it really embodies what Anguilla is…In our shared and common system of parliamentary Government, the House of Assembly, Parliament, Senate, or whatever it is called in a jurisdiction, is both symbolically and physically the seat of democracy. While we may at times take our democracy for granted, this doesn’t mean we don’t value it. The fact is that democracy has often been very hard won, and the result is struggle and privation and that certainly includes Anguilla. So, in a very real sense, this House of Assembly is not just the physical setting – the Legislature. Through its work, it is a living testimony to those who fought for Anguilla’s democracy.”
The Governor thanked his staff, including Mr. Darren Forbes-Batey, Manager of the Anguilla Programme, through which the refurbishing work was funded – the construction workers and others persons. He added: “The restoration of the House of Assembly was not just about giving legislators a dignified and a proper setting in which to work…It is also about showing our respect for democracy and honouring the heroes and the heroines who worked so hard to achieve it. Anguilla is blessed by a range of contractors who have shown up not just in this work, but across the island in the reconstruction work after Hurricane Irma…”
Premier Dr. Ellis Webster said in part: “We are in this Honourable House of Assembly which was battered by the most devastating natural disaster to hit Anguilla – Hurricane Irma in 2017. I thank those who helped to restore it – the United Kingdom Government, the generous British taxpayers, through the Governor’s Office, for funding the restoration; the construction workers and decorators.”
The Premier continued: “This Honourable House represents the sacrifice of those who endured this ‘rock’ when all seemed lost; who remained steadfast when they felt abandoned and forgotten; who fought for freedom without concern for loss of life or limb; and who wrote a constitution promoting democracy over other forms of rule. Our forefathers not only had a vision, but they worked and fought hard to make it happen. This Honourable House supports and defends true democracy – not established by pronouncements, fine words and eloquent speeches, but painstakingly built by working together in constructive cooperation.
“The people elect us not because it is a process we go through every five years, but they see in us their hopes, dreams and aspirations. They expect us to represent their interest and to look out for their well-being as well as that of their children and the country. Such a responsibility demands that we give respect and honour and that is why this is an Honourable House.”
He added: “Our Government is working very hard to ensure that our policies are fully transparent and our legislative agenda represents empowerment and advancement of our people. This House continues to be open to the public and provides modern technology to allow the people to be fully-informed. It is a direct link with ordinary people; and, as we conduct the people’s business with good civil discourse, collaboration and dignity, we build consensus to sustainable democracy.”
Leader of the Opposition, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge, spoke about the importance of parliaments all over the world including Anguilla. “Parliament is said to be the bedrock of representational democracies.” She went on. “As a result, it plays a unique and pivotal role that no other institution in a representational democracy can replace. Such an important institution needs to have a home. I can remember, after Hurricane Irma, as a member of Government at the time, the surprise and dismay we all felt as we peeped in this Honourable House and saw the extent of the damage caused by the hurricane. Imagine having a bedrock institution and no bedrock. The decision was made to immediately focus on rebuilding health and educational institutions at that time. Thereafter, other projects came on stream including the refurbishing of the House of Assembly. I want to thank the Governor’s Office for ensuring that funds were secured through the Anguilla Programme which allows us to be here today.”
Prayers for the blessing of the Atlin Harrigan Parliamentary Building were said by Pastor Hugo Brooks, the Chaplain.
The ceremony was chaired by the Clerk to the House, Mr. Lennox Proctor.
The contactors were Mr. David Bryan and team of MEPITS and Mr Gendon Reid and team of Quality Millworks and Mr. James (Power) Hughes and team of Sunrise Construction. The interior decoration of the building was largely done by Ms. Maris Edwards of Me design.
