Former Premier of Anguilla, and Leader of the Anguilla United Front, Mr. Victor Banks, now retired from active politics, was elected Deputy Chairman of the party at its convention on Saturday, April 17, 2021. He was one of the speakers on the following evening, Sunday, April 18, at a public meeting.
During his address Mr. Banks spoke mainly about the AUF’s transition, and the election of Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge as the party’s new Leader. Following are his overall speaking notes:
“The last time I stood on this platform I was in excruciating pain and we were celebrating the success of our AUF candidates and thanking our supporters in District 2 particularly for returning their representative the Hon. Cora Richardson-Hodge to the Anguilla House of Assembly.
“But God had a plan for me that he saw through and so I am here tonight — no crutches; no cane; no pain; no discernible limp; grateful for God’s mercies; and ready to move on to another phase of my life.
“I am blessed and can look back on the last forty years of active politics with pride because I believe with all humility that through my service I have helped to make Anguilla an improved place in terms of many aspects of our development.
“I will not waste an enjoyable evening by boasting of our achievements as the AUF Government — but I will say that it is because of our efforts we are all enjoying a safer Anguilla today even in the midst of this global pandemic.
“I want to thank all of those colleagues who have spoken before and had nice things to say about me. While it is not necessary — it is appreciated. I am indeed humbled that you would have taken the time to find such nice things to say. It will help to balance out the much less favorable things I have heard from persons who I have never had the opportunity to engage.
“I also want to thank my colleagues for being good team players. We could not be successful without the support of all team players in all the major issues we undertook. Banking Resolution; Cap Juluca Reorganization; Hurricane Irma Recovery; the COVID Response Plan.
“In a little over two months we would have been out of office for one year. And we have been true to our promise to give this Government the opportunity to do its work. You will be the judge as to whether or not you are satisfied with their efforts.
“But we are here today as a party to transition from one leadership team to another. It is not about change for the sake of change. It is about change because as a party we are ready for change. That readiness came as a result of being satisfied that over the years we have groomed capable leadership — and now that the past leadership are deserving of retirement — we are confident that we have suitable leaders to take the vision and the mission forward.
“I wish that more persons, than those at the Convention yesterday, were able to get the benefit of a presentation on the history of the Anguilla United Front and the foundation principles upon which our party was built. Even for me as a founding member it was inspiring because it provided an opportunity for reflection and a clearer vision for what our party needs to do to steady the course. Believe me! The Anguilla United Front has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of — and plenty to be extremely proud about in terms of our achievements as an organization.
“Let me however, in this moment take the opportunity pay respects to four of the founding members of the AUF who have passed on: the late Sir Emile R. Gumbs; the late Hon. Leroy C. Rogers; David Leroy Bryan; and the late Julian R. Harrigan. Just a moment of silence please.
“It is indeed important to recall history on occasions such as these — because on these occasions we are also creating history. Tonight marks the first time that a woman has been elected Leader of the Anguilla United Front as well as Leader of any major political party in Anguilla.
“However, I believe it is also necessary to make the point that we are not electing a woman as leader of the AUF because we want to make history — but rather because we want to elect a capable leader. Being a woman has absolutely nothing to do with this — it is what that woman represents.
“So let me tell you what Hon. Cora-Mae Richardson-Hodge, Elected Representative for Sandy Hill; and Leader of the Opposition means to me.
“First of all she prepared herself formally for leadership through tertiary training among other fields as a lawyer. But even though she is my cousin it was through that profession (law) that I first met Cora. She was negotiating on behalf of her client in the private sector and I was leading the negotiations on behalf of the Government. I was immediately impressed. She represented her client very ably but she also clearly understood the importance of our defense of issues impacting Anguilla. She was fair in her arguments. CORA IS A PROFESSIONAL!!
“She became a member of the AUF to fill the seat of another retiring founding member of the AUF, former Chief Minister, the Hon. Osbourne B. Fleming. He selected her as a person equipped to succeed him in District 2. He was also impressed with her qualities as a future leader based on his interactions with her in the private sector. CORA EXUDES LEADERSHIP QUALITIES!
“She was not successful in the 2010 Election but she did not quit. She did exactly what was necessary to let the community know that she was a capable and caring leader who could make a difference. And so she led the collaboration on the Hope Center Project and engaged the residents of the district in many aspects of their lives. This led to her election in 2015. She did not quit! CORA IS NOT A QUITTER!
“In the AUF Government of 2015, Cora became a part of a team that met the challenging issues of the Indigenous Banking Crisis. She immediately sought to acquaint herself with the issues so that she could adequately respond to questions raised in the community and became an integral part of the public consultations as well. Cora likes to drill down to the facts about every matter on which she must take a position. CORA IS THOROUGH!
“In the Cap Juluca negotiations had a previous matter with one of the several parties in those disputes as a result she recused herself in every discussion that could even vaguely represent a conflict of interest. CORA IS ETHICAL!!
“As leader of Government Business and based on her training I entrusted Cora with the responsibility for Constitutional and Electoral Reform. She took the bull by the horns and as a result we have made progress in this are that has been languishing for over twenty years. In particular, based on her efforts (to put it simply) the grandchildren are automatically Anguillans. CORA IS PASSIONATE ABOUT ANGUILLANS WHEREEVER THEY LIVE!!
After Hurricane Irma Cora as Minister of Labour was determined to find a way to assist workers in the hospitality sector especially who would suffer extended loss of jobs. Collaborating with Social Security and the Ministry of Finance she spear headed the temporary unemployment benefits initiative which ensure that affected workers received compensation. CORA IS CARING AND CREATIVE!!
“In the Ministry of Home Affairs, Cora took on employers who were opposed to revising the Labor laws, especially the issue of one-year contracts for casual workers. She held several consultations on these issues and did not back down until we were able to enact these laws in the House of Assembly. CORA IS A FEARLESS LEADER FOR WHAT SHE BELIEVES IS RIGHT!
“Throughout the course of our administration on every major project Cora has been the go-to person on all legal issues affecting our decision making as a Government. Even at times contrary to the advise of several Attorney-Generals. That was her responsibility as a part of our team. Cora fulfilled that role ably. CORA IS A TEAM PLAYER.
“But above all what qualifies Cora to transition into the leadership of the Anguilla United Front Leadership is that she has earned the respect of all of her colleagues. And I am quite sure that based on the response she received when she was unanimously acclaimed at the Convention yesterday — she has earned your respect as well. CORA IS OUR LEADER!!!
“So let us move forward with confidence in the future of the AUF under this quality leadership.
“Let me also take this opportunity to commend our parliamentary opposition on the excellent work they are doing right now in the House of Assembly under the leadership of Cora. We can indeed be confident in the future with this transition.
“God Bless You All!!”
