Anguilla United Movement Manifesto

ANGUILLA UNITED MOVEMENT AUM “ROOTS OF INTEGRITY, TRUNK OF STABILITY, BRANCHES OF PROSPERITY” BLUEPRINT FOR ANGUILLA’S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT By Team AUM

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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BACKGROUND OF ANGUILLA UNITED MOVEMENT

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AGENDA OF THE AUM ECONOMY Accomplishments 2010 – 2015

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Economic Blueprint 2015 – 2020

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TOURISM Accomplishments 2010 – 2015

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Tourism Blueprint 2015 – 2020

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AGRICULTURE Accomplishments 2010 – 2015

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Agricultural Blueprint 2015 – 2020

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FINANCIAL SERVICES Accomplishments 2010 – 2015

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Financial Blueprint 2015 – 2020

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INRASTRUCTURE Accomplishments 2010 – 2015

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Infrastructure Blueprint 2015 -2020

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LABOUR, LAND AND IMMIGRATION Accomplishments 2010 – 2015

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Labour, Land and ImmigrationBlueprint 2015 - 2020

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THE SOCIAL PROGRAMME Accomplishments 2010 – 2015

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The Social Programme Blueprint 2015 – 2020

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EDUCATION Accomplishments 2010 – 2015

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Education Blueprint 2015 – 2020

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HEALTH Blueprint 2015 - 2020

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CONSTITUTIONAL, POLITICAL AND LEGAL BLUEPRINT

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CANDIDATES

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MESSAGE FROM OUTGOING CHIEF MINISTER

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PROGRESS IN PICTURES

Centerfold

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A BACKGROUND OF THE ANGUILLA UNITED MOVEMENT The Anguilla United Movement (AUM) was formed in 1979 by the Hon. Hubert Benjamin Hughes. He was never party-inclined and always preferred a nationalistic stance. For this reason he formed a Movement and not a party. However, given the reality of party politics in Anguilla, he served once as Political Advisor and twice as Minister of Finance and Lands in party-led governments.

He first entered politics as a candidate in the 1961 general election when Anguilla was one constituency as part of the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla administration. He was the lone member of the Opposition in 1976. Throughout his political career, he endeavoured to ensure that the interests of the people of Anguilla were fought for, defended, and preserved. The stated goals of integrity, political stability, transparency, accountability, equal opportunity for everyone, and an uncorrupted and incorruptible government have become the mantra of the AUM. The Movement’s symbol, the tree, represents its motto: Roots of Integrity, Trunk of Stability, Branches of Prosperity.

In the 1980 general elections, the AUM won six (6) of the seven (7) seats and the Hon. James Ronald Webster became the Chief Minister of Anguilla. Soon after, Mr. Webster called an election and Mr. Hughes of the AUM lost his seat. In 1984, Mr. Hughes and another AUM candidate, the Hon. Albert Hughes, regained their seats.

The AUM again won two seats in the 1994 elections and came to office in a coalition government with Mr. Hubert Hughes as Chief Minister. During his term of office, he was able to keep Anguilla‘s national debt extremely low and run a government without budgetary deficits. At the end of his term, Anguilla was listed among the fastest growing economies in the region.

The AUM again came to office in a coalition government in 1999 with Mr. Hughes as Chief Minister.

Soon after, his Minister of Finance resigned and the government was unconstitutionally locked out of the House of Assembly for ten months. A general election was held in March 2000 and the AUM occupied the Opposition benches for the next ten years.

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Following the general elections of 15 February 2010, the AUM was sworn in as the government of Anguilla, having won four of the seven seats. The Hon. Hubert Hughes became Chief Minister for the third time. His government inherited a devastated economy. In June 2010, the Hon. Jerome Roberts, elected member for District 2, of the Anguilla Progressive Party (APP), crossed the floor and joined the government.

The Hon. Hubert Hughes elected to retire from office at the end of the 2010 - 2015 term. He will then have been the oldest Chief Minister in Anguilla’s history and the longest-serving Member of Parliament. He has paved the way for a team of young, energetic, qualified, competent and experienced candidates. This team is poised to engage with the Anguillian people with the goal of maintaining a high standard of politics and continuing to bring sustained prosperity to Anguilla.

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AGENDA OF THE AUM 2010-2020 ECONOMY BACKGROUND The environment within which the AUM came to office in 2010 was a combination of poor governance by the former administration and the global economic recession in 2008. By then, however, the economy of Anguilla had already collapsed. The dismal financial situation which the AUM inherited included 1.

a national debt of EC$172 million;

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unpaid invoices in the sum of EC$14 million;

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bank overdrafts of EC$18 million;

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an overall deficit of EC$70 million;

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zero reserves;

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loans of EC$10 million monthly from Social Security from October 2009 to January 2010 for recurrent expenditure;

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a plan to spend EC$98,120,000 more in 2009 than it expected to collect;

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an unaffordable increase in civil servants’ salaries 3 times in 5 years;

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an unaffordable increase in government ministers’ salaries 3 times in 5 years by 25% and then 15%;

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millions of dollars in income from Anguilla’s tourism resources signed away to foreign investors in Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) as, for example, service charge and Alien Land Holding Licence fees.

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foreign investors owing Anguilla’s vendors millions of dollars for services rendered; and

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no budget to guide 2010.

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With no funds in the treasury for recurrent expenditure, within the first month of coming to office the AUM administration had to borrow EC$10 million from Social Security to pay public servants’ salaries and pay for ordinary goods and services. To make matters worse, there was significant resistance by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to the AUM’s financial plan: the newly installed AUM administration had refused to adopt the AUF’s commitment to the FCO to implement a slate of over 15 proposed taxes – a commitment evidenced by the correspondence between them. The AUM prepared an April 2010 budget, but it was not assented to by the FCO. This led to the preparation of a June 2010 budget, which had to wait three months before it received the FCO’s approval. The December 2010 budget – the third in ten months - was prepared on time for the 2011 fiscal year, but the FCO held it up for four months, refusing to assent to it until the end of that period. Every delay in signing the budget caused a loss in government revenue, and the deficit to increase because of uncollected taxes.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2010-2015 Despite the aforementioned obstacles, the AUM created order in the financial chaos and in its five-year term, achieved the following: 1.

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Erased the deficit in just two years.

Cut unnecessary spending, improved revenue collection, and created a surplus in 2011, 2012 and 2014.

Consolidated and reduced the national debt.

Improved the budgetary position, accumulating reserves of $30 million by the end of 2014.

Established Anguilla’s first-ever Food Court (The Strip).

Negotiated a loan of EC$8 million from the Caribbean Development Bank for the construction of the Anguilla Community College.

Signed responsible Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) for the development of the Zemi Beach Resort, Manoah, Solaire, Ananya, the Reef Hotel, Ce Blue, Altamer, Malliouhana Resort & Spa, Royal Caribbean and the Frangipani Expansion.

Negotiated the payment of monies owed to local vendors by the Flag Luxury Project.

Removed customs duty on fishing gear.

Removed customs duty on boat building materials for the national sport.

Implemented the Medium Term Fiscal Plan (MTFP).

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Introduced a Manufacturing Policy which gives assistance to local manufacturers through a system of fair tariffs. The Manufacturing Policy aims at creating jobs and opportunities by encouraging local enterprise and opening doors for our people in the area of light manufacturing.

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ECONOMIC BLUEPRINT 2015-2020 It is the aim of the AUM to grow the economy by at least 5% over the next five years through taking the following measures: 1.

Maximizing our 200 mile economic fishing zone by means of i. quantification of fish stock; ii.

implementation of a fish licensing regime for foreign fishers;

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establishment of a fish processing plant to facilitate local, regional and international markets;

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mapping of the ocean floor.

2. introduction of medical tourism; 3. pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution; 4. development of the local farming industry to supply local and regional markets; 5. further development of the Manufacturing Policy.

6. increasing recurrent revenues; 7. increasing fiscal reserves; 8. expansion of Financial Services sector; 9. airport and seaport development; 10. tax reform:The current tax system has evolved into an unwieldy and overly complex regime. The result has been overly burdensome on taxpayers, and a barrier to commerce. For instance, there are over 100 revenue line items in the 2015 budget, but only 20 of these yield almost 90% of our revenues. Our customs tariff code has 320 pages, forcing small businesses to employ a customs broker to import goods. The difference in duty rates between goods makes no sense in some instances. The AUM government will a) reform the entire tax system under Inland Revenue and the Customs Department, with the goal of making it more manageable and efficient; b) review and adjust taxes to stimulate small business development; 9

c) amend the Trades, Businesses, Occupations and Professions Licensing Act to protect businesses and to incentivize startup businesses; d) review The Inland Revenue Act to ensure that more equity is built into the system.

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TOURISM ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2010-2015 During its term the AUM government accomplished the following: 1.

Attracted foreign investment including Zemi Beach Resort, Manoah, Solaire, Ananya, the Reef Hotel, Ce Blue, Altamer, Malliouhana Resort & Spa and the Frangipani Expansion.

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Facilitated the expansion of Royal Caribbean, Shoal Bay Villas and La Vue

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Encouraged hotel development as opposed to real estate.

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Stabilized the Viceroy hotel in 2010.

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Adopted the Sustainable Tourism Master Plan in 2011 to drive growth and development in the tourism industry.

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Developed innovative marketing strategies in the tourism sector such as: a.

the production of the first national compilation of music, “Sounds of Anguilla”;

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securing the opportunity for Anguilla to be featured on international television programmes like:

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Real Housewives of Atlanta,

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The Bachelor,

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HGTV House Hunters

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Sweden’s ‘Single in Paradise’ the production of a music video by a world renowned artist.

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Hosted the 21st Annual World Travel Awards (the Oscars of the travel industry) for the first time in Anguilla’s history. Global leaders in the tourism industry voted Anguilla as the Leading Luxury Island Destination. Anguilla attracted six other leading-status awards.

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Recorded significant increases in tourism arrivals which culminated in December 2014; the highest number of international visitors to visit Anguilla.

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Attracted small luxury cruise ships to Anguilla with capacities, on average, of 300 passengers.

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Negotiated with the Dutch government to build and consolidate docking and immigration facilities in Simpson Bay, St Maarten.

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Successfully negotiated more airlift out of San Juan into Anguilla (Cape Air, Air Sunshine, Tradewind and Seaborne).

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Restored and ensured the survival of the Dolphin Discovery Project.

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Restored and prevented the closure of the former Temenos Golf Course.

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Drafted legislation on a code of conduct, a dress code (uniform) and training programmes for our taxi drivers, porters and ferry boat personnel to lay before the House of Assembly.

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Passed the Beach Vending Legislation.

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Successfully negotiated with new owners in the sale of Viceroy to retain the full complement of the staff.

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TOURISM BLUEPRINT 2015-2020 Over the next five years, the AUM proposes to take the following actions: 1.

encourage local investment in the hospitality sector;

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continue its efforts to attract foreign direct investment to Anguilla;

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continue to market Anguilla’s tourism product even more aggressively and innovatively;

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utilize the Sustainable Tourism Master Plan as a guide to tourism development;

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periodically revisit and upgrade as necessary the Beach Vending Legislation and all other legislation pertaining to the tourism industry;

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continue to diversify Anguilla’s tourism product;

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support the development of hotel and hospitality related projects on the eastern side of the island;

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continue to develop the understudy policy geared towards qualifying Anguillians to fill top positions in tourism and other industries;

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support airport and seaport expansion;

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support increased educational and training opportunities which target the service industries;

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expand and upgrade the ‘Hello Tourist’ and other hospitality sensitization programmes;

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continue to support Anguilla44.

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AGRICULTURE ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2010-2015 The AUM is acutely aware of the need to produce more food locally so that the community has the opportunity to eat freshly-grown produce. This reduces the dependency on imported food items and increases the health benefits to the local population.

To this end we have taken the following steps: 1.

allocated more land for agricultural purposes.

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facilitated the development of local egg and tomato industries by introducing a ‘fair tariff’ to protect local farmers. Consequently, egg and tomato production has increased.

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AGRICULTURAL BLUEPRINT 2015-2020

The AUM will expand local farming and improve food security on the island. Government will continue to monitor the importation and use of fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals in the agricultural sector. Over the next five years the AUM is also committed to 1.

facilitating a closer working relationship between local farmers and hotels and restaurants;

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working closely with the Anguilla Farmer’s Association to market and promote their produce locally and regionally;

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exploring opportunities for the construction of an abattoir to assist with the handling and processing of local meats;

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developing and improving the genetic inventory for animal husbandry by importing new stock;

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encouraging and supporting the development of a hatchery in Anguilla for poultry and fresh water fish;

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encouraging the development of an aquaponics project in Anguilla;

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encouraging and facilitating egg, meat and vegetable production;

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supporting the revitalization of the use of the People’s Market as a centralized location for the sale of local produce;

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assisting our local farmers by subsidising water rates and granting concessions for importing approved chemicals and fertilizers;

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providing the necessary machinery to meet demand;

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encouraging the use of private arable land for farming.

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FINANCIAL SERVICES ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2010-2015 The 1976 Constitution gave the people of Anguilla, through their elected representatives, full autonomy over Financial Services and Products. Up until 1982, when that Constitution gave way to the present one, the Anguilla Constitution Order 1982, Anguilla’s treasury received more money from the Financial Services industry than from Tourism. The latter Constitution placed the industry under the total jurisdiction of Her Majesty’s government and, as a result, the Financial Services industry accounts for less than 8% of the total revenue.

A re-elected AUM government will review the current situation with the goal of maximizing the benefits available in the international financial services sector for Anguilla and its people. In its term of office, the AUM government took the following actions: 1.

financed the promotion of the Anguilla Finance Ltd;

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appointed a compliance officer;

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continued to educate the public regarding Financial Services;

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established a board of professionals in the industry;

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signed a number of Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEAs) to ensure transparency and accountability.

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FINANCIAL SERVICES BLUEPRINT 2015-2020 Over the next five years the government will continue to a. b. c. d.

promote and support the Financial Services industry; promote and market Anguilla as a reputable Financial Services destination; promote Anguilla’s Commercial Online Registration (ACORN); modernize and update the institutional, legal and regulatory framework governing Anguilla’s international finance industry in order to maintain and enhance Anguilla’s competitiveness in the global markets; e. encourage and facilitate Anguillians’ efforts to engage in niche businesses in the financial industry.

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INFRASTUCTURE ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2010-2015 The AUM undertook the following: 1.

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construction of the Anguilla-St. Maarten ferry dock at Simpson Bay, St. Maarten; construction of the Calvin Washington Lake Road; commencement of construction of Phase I of the Adrian T Hazell Primary School; completion of major drainage works opposite the Anguilla Football Association field; construction of the Limestone Bay Road; renovation and upgrades to the Vivien A. Vanterpool Primary School; capital improvements to air and sea ports.

INFRASTRUCTURE BLUEPRINT 2015-2020 Over the next five years, the AUM government intends to pursue the following capital projects.

These projects will be required to comply with the Value for Money (VFM) studies and the Fiscal Framework for Sustainable Development (FFSD) which are two legal requirements demanded by the British government: 1.

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a comprehensive review, upgrading and enhancement of the airport and sea ports; modernization of the Princess Alexandra Hospital; a complete review of all public schools with a view to upgrading and modernizing; commencement of construction of the Anguilla Community College; construction of a new tower and fire hall at the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport; development of a track & field facility in the Farrington; development of the Blowing Point playing field a complete review of all roads to determine priority of upgrades in accordance with the FFSD; replacement of the government’s communication tower at Crocus Hill.

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LABOUR, LAND AND IMMIGRATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2010 – 2015 During this period the AUM government accomplished the following: 1.

Prevented the retrenchment of 30% of the civil service.

The cutback was an austerity measure demanded by the British government to deal with the shattered economy. In spite of the British demands and pressure tactics, the AUM government retained the full complement of the civil service.

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Generated economic activity so as to minimize unemployment levels despite the tough economic environment.

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Strongly maintained its stance on the policy of putting Anguillians first, Caribbean nationals next and, only where those options cannot be filled, international labour.

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Continued to sponsor, support, and encourage the youth-focused Job Education and Skill Development Initiative (Job Link-Up) which offers opportunities for job training, self improvement, and employment.

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Created the Get Set Entrepreneurial Training Programme which provides startup capital for young, aspiring entrepreneurs.

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Facilitated local upward mobility by filling vacancies internally.

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Immigration reform:- The AUM government heard the cries from public officers, nationals and non-nationals that immigration processes were outmoded, cumbersome, and difficult to understand. The AUM therefore a.

recognized that immigration processes needed to be reviewed and modernised in a strategic manner; and

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started the process of review by developing a policy to assist non-nationals who were born in Anguilla.

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LABOUR, LAND AND IMMIGRATION BLUEPRINT 2015-2020 Over the next five years, the Anguilla United Movement will do the following: 1.

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initiate public sector reform: public sector management:The public sector is the body by which the elected members of government would be able to effect meaningful change for the benefit of the citizens of Anguilla. The work of public officers is critical to the development of this fledgling democracy. Improved public sector management is therefore vital. A re-elected AUM government will improve the transparency and accountability of the public service; encourage or introduce managerial practices that mirror the private sector, in an effort to reduce bureaucracy and ensure greater efficiency in the delivery of services in a timely manner; strengthen the support services for the real decision-makers – the elected representatives of government; and foster an environment in which public servants perform at their best and with a sense of urgency. encourage the establishment of a pension fund for workers in the Hospitality and related industries; facilitate the passage of comprehensive trade union legislation; lay before the House of Assembly the draft Labour Code; continue to monitor the alienation of land; modernize permanent residence, naturalization, and path-to-citizenship policies; review the process of issuing work permits, for the purpose of creating greater efficiencies; reform the Immigration Act and the Belonger Commission Act; negotiate easier entry into Anguilla of St. Martin/St. Maarten nationals.

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THE SOCIAL PROGRAMME ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2010-2015 We believe that social programmes that exhibit our culture, sports, entertainment and the arts are very important in the life of a people. Not only are they an expression of our people, but they can also be a means by which to diversify the economy and provide employment. Government embarked on the following programmes during this term: 1.

officially endorsed boat racing as our national sport and granted duty-free concessions on imports for the sport;

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increased funding to boat racing and cricket;

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supported cycling, volleyball, basketball, netball, football, dominoes and athletics;

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started construction of the multi-purpose sports facility in The Valley, utilizing funds from the Warren Foundation;

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assisted gifted athletes who were identified by their sporting associations for continued development through specialized training;

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facilitated student athletic scholarships with regional and international universities, colleges and other educational institutions;

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provided technical and financial support to community development centres throughout the island;

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continued to support Anguilla’s Festivals;

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promoted, supported, and showcased local entertainers and artists regionally and internationally;

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provided support to ANI Art Academy;

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partnered with Viceroy to upgrade the West End basketball court; and

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appointed a gender development coordinator.

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THE SOCIAL PROGRAMME BLUEPRINT 2015-2020

Over the next five years, the AUM government commits itself to the continuing development of the following: 1.

an indoor multi-purpose sports facility;

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a track & field facility;

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a Performing Arts Centre;

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the Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre;

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a centralized area for the exhibition and sale of art and craft;

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the Food Court;

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sporting activities and competition for the physically challenged;

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recreational facilities around the island;

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land lease for drag racing association

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the National Youth Council;

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the National Youth Ambassadors Corps;

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the implementation of a Youth Parliament;

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gender equality by: a.

the passing of Domestic Violence legislation;

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furthering the extension process of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and Gender Equality, Mainstreaming Sensitivity (GEMS) training throughout the public service; and

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partnering with the private sector in promoting gender awareness.

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Family Law Reform The family law reform process, which is an initiative of the Supreme Court, has been in operation for over 12 years. Anguilla has not yet enacted any of the family law reform measures. The AUM government will 1.

ensure that the family law bills are enacted for the benefit of our families, the backbone of the Anguillian society; and

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report on the progress of family law reform to the Chief Justice.

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EDUCATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2010-2015 The AUM has placed priority on ensuring that education is accessible from early childhood through to tertiary levels, while seeking to keep pace with technological advances.

The following has been achieved: 1.

secured funding for the construction of the Anguilla Community College;

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collaborated with the Windsong Foundation for the construction of the first phase of the Valley Primary School;

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initiated the construction of the first phase of the Adrian T. Hazell Primary School;

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continued the maintenance of public schools;

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continued the provision of full and partial scholarships;

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passed the Education Bill;

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passed the Higher Education Bill; and

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supported the St. James School of Medicine by enabling the expansion of the Anguilla campus.

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EDUCATION BLUEPRINT 2015-2020 The AUM is committed to continue doing the following over the next five years: 1.

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support Early Childhood Education; expand the School Feeding Programme; support teacher training; support the process of modernizing the school system through the provision of Information Technology (IT) equipment and modern teaching aids; provide scholarships and financial aid to learning institutions; support all educational programmes; and upgrade the education facilities.

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HEALTH BLUEPRINT 2015-2020 The AUM is committed to improving access and quality of health care in Anguilla because we recognize that ‘a healthy nation is a wealthy nation’. The focus of the AUM in the 2015-2020 term will be to deliver quality health care to the ultimate consumer – the people of Anguilla. The AUM is therefore committed to a more comprehensive approach in the following ways: 1.

Upgrade the hospital. This calls for a. more efficient emergency rooms; b. decreased wait times; c. triage based on severity of condition; d. separate adult and pediatric patients; e. improving and providing diagnostic services, CT, MRI, mammography, and ultrasound; f. an additional operating room; g. supporting the recently-opened post-operative recovery room; h. developing an intensive care unit with continuous monitoring of patients, telemetry, and ventilator; i. developing isolation rooms with negative flow to decrease the chance of the spread of communicable diseases; j. developing a blood bank for proper procurement, testing and storage of lifesaving blood products; and k. ensuring adequate and skilled staffing of all units of the hospital.

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Achieve the AUM’s ultimate goal of building a new state-of-the-art facility.

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Enhance the community clinics. The AUM therefore will a. increase the services offered, in order to reduce the need for hospital visits and admissions; b. promote home visits by nurses to patients with chronic illnesses needing testing, monitoring and education; c. promote prevention and health education in the schools; d. give the elderly free medical and dental care, and free prescription medications; e. provide services for special needs children and persons who are mentally challenged; f. waive duties on prescription drugs; 26

g. h. i. j. k. l. m. n.

facilitate registration of health care providers; encourage Anguillian-born health care providers to return home; pass the Health Professions Act for registering, regulating, and ensuring compliance and continuing education of health care professionals; promote primary care and prevention, including building confidence in primary care providers in Anguilla; facilitate the availability of affordable specialist care in Anguilla, thereby decreasing the need to seek care abroad; incentivize private entities to develop medical tourism in Anguilla to increase foreign capital, encourage international patients, and assure visitors and residents that they will have access to quality health care; promote wellness, fitness, nutrition and obesity treatment, thus reducing diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and chronic renal failure; provide sustainable jobs in health care, one of the fastest growing sectors in the world.

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CONSTITUTIONAL, POLITICAL AND LEGAL BLUEPRINT 2015-2020 The AUM government has long recognized the need for constitutional advancement. What the government was subjected to this term made all self-respecting people of Anguilla aware of the need to chart our own course for the benefit of Anguilla and its people.

In order to satisfactorily address this issue, the AUM government will conduct a series of public consultations with an aim to educating the people of the choices open to us.

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CANDIDATES DISTRICT 1:

Dr. Ellis L. Webster MD

Dr. Webster was born in Island Harbour, Anguilla, and attended primary and secondary school in Anguilla. He was the recipient of a government of Anguilla scholarship and studied Dental Therapy.

He provided dental care for children in Anguilla for two years, and then attended the University of the Virgin Islands, where he graduated in three years with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Committed to realizing his full potential, Dr. Webster attended and graduated from Yale University with a Master of Science degree in Biology and a Doctor of Medicine degree.

Dr. Webster completed a residency in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Iowa, and moved to Florida, where he practised for over eighteen years. While maintaining a busy practice, Dr. Webster provided Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) care for indigent patients from Florida and Caribbean countries. He also engaged in Mentoring Programs for elementary and high school students in Florida, leading the Society for Minority Physicians in Palm Beach County, and chairing Sections of Otolaryngology and Departments of Surgery at different hospitals. In addition, he was involved in local, state and national political campaigns in the USA. Fulfilling a lifelong dream to improve health care in Anguilla, Dr. Webster opened an ENT practice in Anguilla almost five (5) years ago, and continues to provide quality care for Anguillians. He is committed to developing multi-specialty care in Anguilla.

In October 2014, Dr. Ellis L. Webster became the third leader of the AUM since its inception in 1979, and will contest the general election in District 1.

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DISTRICT 2: The Hon Jerome Roberts

The Hon. Jerome Roberts graduated from the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School in 1987.

He worked in the private sector for two years before joining the Treasury Department in Anguilla.

In 1991 he was transferred to the Electrical Company (ANGLEC), where he held various positions during a period of 19 years, the last being Supervisor of the Customer Care and Billing Department, a post he held for eight years.

While he was employed in the electricity company, Mr. Roberts obtained certification in leadership and supervision courses from the Caribbean Electric Utility Services (CARILEC), and jointly from the International Organisation of Business (IOB) and the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Mr. Roberts contested the 2010 general election as a member of the Anguilla Progressive Party, and was elected on 15 February 2010 as a legislator in the Anguilla House of Parliament. After a consultation with his constituents, and long and careful consideration over a period of time, he joined the AUM government on 1 August, 2010, as the Advisor to the Chief Minister, the Hon. Hubert Hughes. The Hon. Jerome Roberts currently holds the portfolio of Home Affairs, Education, Youth and Culture and Library Services.

He is seeking a second term in the general election as a candidate of the AUM in District 2.

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DISTRICT 3: Mr. Elkin Richardson

Mr. Elkin Richardson was born in Anguilla in 1958. During his early years, he was educated on the island, but later migrated to St. Maarten and attended the St. Peter's High School. He is a former senior employee of the Anguilla Social Security Board and served as a compliance officer for 24 years. At times he also acted as Compliance Manager.

During his employment at Social Security, he successfully pursued a number of training courses and attended seminars throughout the Caribbean and Canada. These included Occupational Health and Safety, Fraud Investigations, Compliance and Risk Management, Public Relations, Laws of Contract, Probate of Wills and Constitutional and Administrative Law. He was a Police Officer for twelve years in the Anguilla Police Force and had the opportunity to work with the Royal Turks and Caicos Island Police Force. His final posting was Officer-in-Charge of the Sandy Ground Police Station, with responsibility for the Western Division. He also attended the Marine Coast Guard College in Nova Scotia, Canada, where he studied Marine Electronics.

Mr. Richardson studied Management at the University of the West Indies in Barbados. He is also a certified Building Contractor and Electrician.

He was the Vice President and is now President of the Retired Police Officers Association. He is also the host of a radio talk show programme, ‘To the Point’ and a radio evangelist. Mr. Richardson has served on a number of church boards and is a member of the Board of Directors of ASSIDCO. 31

Mr. Elkin Richardson, the owner and manager of Etelae Apartments, is married and has four sons.

He is committed to the AUM philosophy of equal opportunities for everyone. His motto is, “Do it right the first time and you will do it right all the time.� He will contest the general election for the first time as a candidate for the AUM in District 3.

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DISTRICT 4:

The Hon Evan Gumbs

The Hon. Evan MacAuthur Gumbs was born on 5th February 1964 in the village of Long Ground, Anguilla. The son of the late Mr. Alfred Gumbs a.k.a Fred, founder of the Highway Tyre Service, and Mrs. Clara Gumbs, the Hon. Evan Gumbs, is the seventh of eight children. He is married to Mrs. Dawn Gumbs nee Richardson, and has two daughters, Evier and Dawvier Gumbs.

Mr. Gumbs attended the Valley Primary School and later the then Valley Secondary School (VSS today’s Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School). After graduation from VSS, he was employed in the construction sector for a few years, then in the tourism/hospitality industry, and finally joined the Highway Tyre Service family business, of which he is presently a part owner.

He is the founder of the now famous John T. Memorial Cycle Race that brings cyclists and fans from across the Caribbean to Anguilla for this annual event. He has also served as the President of the Anguilla Cycling Association, and played on the National Basketball Team.

A student of politics, he has always observed political developments in Anguilla, especially during the period of the Hon. James Ronald Webster’s leadership. In 2005, the people of Valley South asked him to contest the general election as a candidate of the AUM, which he did, but was unsuccessful. In his second bid to be elected in 2010, he won the Valley South, District 4 seat, and is presently the elected representative for Valley South, with the portfolio of Minister of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities and Housing in the government of Anguilla. His missions to help, care for and elevate his people to a better way of life, while remaining true to God and maintaining his integrity. He is once again a candidate for the AUM in District 4.

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DISTRICT 5: Mr. Patrick Hanley

Mr. Patrick Hanley a.k.a the Sheriff hails from the picturesque village of Sandy Ground. He is a first-time candidate in the upcoming general election and is passionate about the development of his people. This passion has led him to offer himself as a candidate in the Road North, District 5.

Mr. Hanley has been the Advisor to the Chief Minister since September 2013, a role which has given him a solid foundation and working knowledge of the affairs of government.

He has twenty-two years of private-sector experience, with many of those years at supervisory and management levels. He holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Phoenix.

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DISTRICT 6: The Hon Haydn Hughes

The Hon. Haydn Hughes graduated from the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School in 1988, where he was a student athlete. He competed in track & field events for the island, including the 1990 CARIFTA games in Jamaica.

He spent twenty-two years in the private sector, twenty as a business owner. He was the firstever Anguillian recipient of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association scholarship that afforded him an opportunity to study at Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne in Switzerland. He served as a member of the Executive Board of Cap Juluca, where he oversaw a number of departments, including Villa Operations, Landscaping, Security and Beach and Water Sports. He is presently the Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for Tourism and Sports.

His service to the people of Anguilla included his work in his community for over twenty-five years. He is an avid song writer, a philanthropist, is passionate about young people, the arts, entertainment and sports, which he sees as a vehicle to create opportunity for his people and island.

He first contested elections as a candidate for the AUM in 2005 and is contesting the upcoming general election as a candidate for the AUM in District 6.

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DISTRICT 7: Mrs. Kristy Richardson-Harrigan

Mrs. Kristy Richardson-Harrigan is a born Anguillian who grew up in West End. She attended the Valley Primary School, and completed her secondary education at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School. During her time at high school, Kristy was very much involved in clubs such as the Interact Club and the Literary and Debating Society. She enjoyed public speaking and represented Anguilla as a debater in the Leeward Islands Debating Competition in 2004 and 2005.

She was also a member of the school choir.

In 2008, Kristy obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice at Monroe College, New York, USA. She also worked with the Anguilla Tourist Board, New York, from May 2007 to June 2008. She then obtained a Graduate Diploma in Law at London South Bank University, United Kingdom, in 2009, and completed the Bar Vocational Course at City Law School in 2010. Kristy was called to the Degree of Utter Barrister by the Honourable Society of Gray's Inn in 2010.

Upon her return to Anguilla in 2011, Kristy joined the firm of Caribbean Juris Chambers, and practises in the following areas: Civil and Criminal Litigation, Corporate and Commercial Law, Employment Law and Family Law. In 2014, Kristy organized a mentorship programme which caters to Year 6 students at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School. Kristy recognizes that many students have difficulty transitioning from Year 5 to Year 6; hence it is her aim to help students to better cope with the transition.

Kristy is also an active member of her church, the Church of God of Prophecy, West End, and is involved in the Children’s Ministry and the Praise & Worship and Dance Ministries. She firmly 36

believes in the scriptural text, Philippians 4:13, which states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It is on this premise that Kristy has aspired to, and continues to endeavor to be the best that she can at all that she does.

She is contesting District 7 as a candidate of the AUM and is the youngest candidate in this year’s general election.

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MESSAGE FROM OUTGOING LEADER OF THE AUM, CHIEF MINISTER, HON. HUBERT B. HUGHES

Looking back over my life, I can say that while I find it rather difficult to define the term ‘politics’, I have come to believe that we are all political beings. Some of us engage in politics that is proAnguilla, while others engage in politics that is anti-Anguilla.

My entry into politics in Anguilla was not a job-seeking venture, but in response to a calling. I felt a God-given passion for the upliftment of downtrodden people in Anguilla and, indeed in the Caribbean region. I had been exposed to the struggle of working class people while attending the St Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla Grammar School in St Kitts; had studied the politics of Robert Bradshaw as he sought to break the shackles of colonialism on the sugar cane workers toiling on Massa’s plantations; had observed the pernicious effects of the class divide in the St Kitts society; and had followed the liberation struggles against White domination in the rest of the Caribbean, and countries in Africa. Over the years I had been inspired by the actions of leaders like Tom Adams, Alexander Bustamante, Norman Manley, Eric Williams and Patrice Lumumba who led the struggle against colonialism in their countries.

I saw my brand of politics as national, moral, and unifying on the home front, while supporting integration on the regional front, propelled by the philosophy of honesty, integrity, fairplay and equal opportunities for all. For that reason I never believed in party politics, though in order to serve Anguilla I held portfolios in more than one party-led government. I have always championed the cause not only of Anguillian people but also that of our brothers and sisters from neighbouring Caribbean Islands who came to Anguilla in search of a better way of life. Let us never forget that at we were in their shoes, going to other islands in search of a better standard of living, while the British government was keeping the profits from the Sombrero Lighthouse and from phosphate-mining on Sombrero and Anguilla. My people, we must learn from our history, and never forget its lessons.

Some time ago, I decided that the 2010 general election would be the last I would contest. I must emphasize though, that it must not be assumed that my decision to retire from active politics means that I would cease to be political. That would be impossible for me to do as a good citizen 38

of Anguilla – and I believe I am a very good one. I still feel the passion, despite my long stay on the active political stage, and I am by no means convinced that there is nothing more for me to accomplish or consolidate for the people of Anguilla, including those from the rest of the Caribbean. After all, having studied Caribbean history, I know that our origins and history are the same. Whether we came from the sub-Indian or sub-Saharan continent we did not volunteer to come to the so-called New World. Oh no! We were uprooted from our homelands and brought here to be used and abused, and we are still struggling from or with the injustice of being enslaved and colonised.

In fact, a new form of colonialism now haunts the Caribbean: We invite foreign investors to invest in our economies so as to create genuine jobs for our people, but others often accompany these investors to take the best job and business opportunities for themselves. In our attempts to inject much-needed foreign capital into our economies we run the danger, once again, of being made third –class citizens in the only places we can truly call home.

In places like Anguilla we face the additional dilemma of being enslaved and colonized by our constitutions. Anguilla’s governors are still chosen as they were many centuries ago. Recently I was looking through some old papers and stumbled across a Press Release by Governor Malcolm Harris in 1998. In that Release he emphasized that he was not answerable to Chief Minister Hubert Hughes but to British Ministers back in London who had chosen him to be governor of Anguilla, and were very pleased with the job he was doing for Britain in Anguilla. That sentiment is not peculiar to Governor Harris, but is indeed typical of that of British governors – they come to Anguilla to protect British interest, not the interest of Anguilla.

In two years’ time Anguilla will be celebrating 50 years of its bid for self-determination - The Revolution. Have we realized the goals for which our heroes and heroines stood up against the odds? We fool ourselves if we think we live in a democratic society.

I have always felt and said that I entered active politics as a political missionary. My lifelong association with Rev. John A. Gumbs of the Methodist Church bears testament to this. I feel a special bond with him because he was foremost in the struggle to free the Church in the West Indies from colonial control. I, however, have failed him because I was unable to free Anguilla from political slavery. I therefore plan, with God as my Guide, to spend most of my time fighting for a democratic system of government through constitutional reform.

While I have been on the world stage many times representing Anguilla, and have twice had the distinct privilege of addressing the General Assembly of the United Nations on behalf of Dependent Territories – British, French, American and Dutch - I have had many setbacks and many disappointments. I always wanted to be in a position to put Anguilla on the right spiritual, social, economic and political path. In connection with this, I have suffered much agony and frustration. I had looked to education to be a liberating force in the Anguillian community, 39

propelled by the virtues of honesty, integrity and fair play, but I have found over the years that the Anguillans who pose the biggest threat to the principles of honesty, integrity, equal opportunity, and genuine progress for all, and who support the idea of a class system in Anguilla, are some of our most educated.

Similarly, I had looked to the Christian Church for the unifying salt of Christianity. The Christian Church cannot ignore the role that politics and politicians play in people’s lives. Church leaders ought to show a keen interest in the political life of Anguilla, but their politics ought to be proAnguilla. Church leaders who indulge in, and promote party politics, are fostering a most divisive element in Anguillian society which can work only to the detriment of our community. The Church’s role should include uniting, not dividing people. I pledge to devote time to uniting our people and doing away with party divisions. Fellow Anguillians, and citizens and residents of Anguilla, let us unite as one people under God. Throughout my political journey, I have encountered some bright spots of hope for Anguilla’s future, namely, 1.

Mrs. Josephine Gumbs-Connor, the brilliant young lawyer with a social conscience, daughter of Rev. Gumbs and his wife, Mrs. Veronica Gumbs. Josie, as she is called, boldly speaks out against corruption, inequality, and undemocratic practices in their many forms in Anguilla. She gives legal advice to the AUM government and represents Anguilla’s interest in international forums, free of charge, because she believes in the AUM philosophy of politics.

2.

Ms. Nakishma Rogers, another brilliant young lawyer, daughter of Mr. Alkins Rogers and his wife, Mrs. Kathleen Rogers. Ms Rogers is still being victimized by those in Administration for advocating the politics of integrity, fairplay and equal opportunity and progress for all. She is an island scholar, but of all the island scholars, she has received the least number of benefits normally given to island scholars.

3.

Mr. Iwandai Gumbs and Mr. Whaldama Brooks (Ras B) who lost their jobs at Radio Anguilla by the British Deputy Governor, Mr. Roger Cousins, because they openly condemned Mr. Roy Rogers, the Speaker of the House, for unconstitutionally shutting me out of the House of Assembly in 1999.

4.

Mello Cello and other staff members of Upbeat Radio for their sterling contributions to pro-Anguilla politics by airing programmes promoting the politics of integrity, equal opportunity, and genuine progress for everyone.

5.

Pastor Jerome Harrigan of Shoal Bay who had the courage of his conviction to express his pro-Anguilla political stance, only to be victimized by those who were offended by it.

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6.

Messieurs Quincy Gumbs and Mitchell Lake, two young Anguillian businessmen who openly advocate the politics driven by the AUM philosophy.

7.

My constituents of Road South, District 6, who understood my brand of politics enough to keep me in the seat even when I was occupying the Opposition benches and my voice, seemed to have been lost on the Anguillian public.

Someone asked me what my biggest contribution to Anguilla was, and I instantly replied, “Stability and political education of the general public.� The matter of stability I leave to the political platform where the AUM team is dealing with it adequately. All I would say here is that if, for the third time in Anguilla, the AUM could clean up the mess left by other governments, imagine the progress that would be made in Anguilla if the AUM was elected to office when there were no mess to clean up, and no deep economic pits to fill in before reaching level ground on which to run.

On the subject of political education of the Anguillian public, I can say that it was a task I set myself ever since I entered politics. My chosen method was repetition; my resource material, the history of colonized people and their struggle against colonial domination; and my heroes the political leaders who fought to free their people from an oppressive colonial rule. There were times when it seemed to me that I was making no headway, but time has proven that I was wrong.

God has spared my life to see the fruits of my education. This I see in 1.

the grass roots petition signed by over 1000 persons outlining the evils of colonial rule in Anguilla and imploring my government to hold a referendum on independence for Anguilla by November 2014;

2.

the overwhelming number of supporters all over the island who are requesting me not to retire from active politics;

3.

the large number of persons who were lukewarm to me at first, who are now coming to me expressing their recognition and appreciation of what I had been trying to do over the years; and

4.

the AUM team I was able to select to pass on the AUM mantle of leadership to, safe in the knowledge that they will uphold the AUM political philosophy that I have bequeathed to them.

It is now my pleasure to express my thanks to the following persons: 1.

my nuclear family for their support: my wife, Mrs. Norma Hughes, who bore me three sons, put up with my total commitment to politics, and reared my sons singlehandedly 41

during my long and frequent absences from home on political matters; and my sons for turning out to be hardworking, decent citizens despite their father’s long absences from home. The recent loss of my second son has left a void which will take a long time to fill; 2.

the many supporters at home and abroad who voted for me and worked hard to ensure my seat and the seats of the AUM candidates in general elections;

3.

regional and international leaders who paid public tribute to my work on behalf of repressed people in particular, and my brand of politics in general; and

4.

all supporters at home and abroad who begged me not to retire, to whom I say that the best way to show appreciation for me is to vote for the AUM team so that they can carry on my legacy of government for the benefit of Anguilla.

May God bless each one of you, and may God bless Anguilla.

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Contact:

Anguilla United Movement P. O. Box 230 The Valley, Anguilla Tel. (264) 497-7204 Fax. (264) 497-3913 Email: elwdoc@aol.com

Anguilla United Movement PROGRESS IN PICTURE

Zemi Beach Project

Solaire Project

Malliouhana Resort & Spa

Ananya Villa

Tourism Ministers Summit

Clinton Global Initiative

Supporting Local Aviation

Adding Airlift

Dolphin Discovery

Supporting Dolphin Discovery

Golf

Golf Course Open

Anguilla fresh produce

Supporting Track & Field

Supporting Female Football

Supporting Cycling

Rey Hill Basketball Camp

Supporting Basketball

Building Indoor Sport Facility

Women’s Empowerment Summit

Local Artists Retreat

Supporting Anguilla Community College

Anguilla United Movement AUM