On 6th March, 2026, acting in accordance with section 63(1) of the Anguilla Constitution, the Honourable Perin A. Bradley, Acting Governor of Anguilla, on the advice of the Premier, issued a proclamation proroguing the First Session of the Thirteenth House of Assembly. The prorogation takes effect from Wednesday, 11 March 2026 until Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
Understanding Prorogation – Prorogation formally ends a parliamentary session. It does not dissolve the House; all Elected Members retain their seats, and the House of Assembly remains constituted. During this period, the Speaker and Members will manage their affairs accordingly until the Second Session is convened. Anguilla’s democratic institutions continue to operate fully, and when the Governor summons the new session, the legislative programme will restart with fresh business.
Reflecting on the First Session: A Year of Progress – The Speaker and Members of the Assembly take this opportunity to highlight the institutional growth and achievements of the House of Assembly during the past parliamentary year.
Institution Building and Governance – The First Session placed strong emphasis on strengthening parliamentary institutions. Guided by the Administration Committee, the House delivered:
• A new accessibility focused parliamentary website.
• The formal establishment of Hansard, providing verbatim transcripts of all sessions.
• Adoption of a Code of Conduct for Members.
• Adoption of a comprehensive Strategic Plan.
• More effective use of the committee system.
Parliamentary Innovation and Technology – Anguilla has positioned itself as a leader in digital democracy through the launch of Hansard AI, developed by local company Evoluut AI. This platform enables real time capture and transcription of parliamentary debates.
Hansard AI was featured in The Parliamentarian (Volume 107), where Anguilla was highlighted as a model for small legislatures across the Commonwealth during its 50th Anniversary of Parliamentary Democracy.
External Funding and Grants – The House successfully secured two competitive Commonwealth grants that are enhancing accessibility, ethics, and professional development:
1. CPwD Capital Investment Fund (£10,000): Used to develop the fully accessible parliamentary website (www.houseofassembly.ai), built to WCAG 2.1 AA standards by local firm Design Elements.
2. CPA Small Branches Regional Initiative Fund 2026 (£10,000): Supporting specialist training for the Code of Conduct and the development of a Members’ Handbook and Standards Committee manuals.
Member Development and Training – To ensure that Members and staff are equipped to serve effectively, they participated in several regional and international programmes, including:
• Turks and Caicos & Bermuda: Post election seminars attended by Hon. Tara Carter, Hon. Merrick Richardson, Ms. Vanisha Proctor, and Mr. Lenox Proctor.
• Trinidad and Tobago: Advanced Parliamentary Residency Programme attended by Hon. Jeison Bryan and Hon. Merrick Richardson.
• United Kingdom: Hon. Cordell Richardson (Valley South) is currently attending the 74th Westminster Seminar on Effective Parliaments.
Inter Parliamentary Relations – The Assembly was represented at key annual engagements geared towards sharing good practice and building the parliamentary network. These included:
• The UK Commons and Overseas Territories Speakers’ Conference (May 2025)
• The 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Barbados
Looking Ahead to the Second Session – The Second Session will open with an ambitious agenda. March will be used to finalise preparations for the full implementation of the Code of Conduct and Register of Interests. Specialist training for Members, the Standards Committee, and the Commissioner for Standards will follow in April to ensure rigorous and effective application.
Plans are also well advanced for targeted training for the Public Accounts Committee, supported by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK Branch.
The Honourable Speaker of the House of Assembly, Ms. Tara Carter extends her “Sincerest appreciation to all Members, parliamentary staff, and the people of Anguilla for your steadfast engagement throughout the First Session. Let us remember that the desire for our own House of Assembly stood at the heart of our struggle during the “1967 Revolution”. This Assembly is our Assembly. As we enter the Second Session, marking fifty years of our Assembly, let us reflect and recommit ourselves to our shared vision for an independent, efficient, and effective Assembly that is responsive to the aspirations of the people of Anguilla and actively participates in the transformation of Anguilla to meet those aspirations.”
