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Anguilla
At stake: House of Assembly
Background
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Located in the Caribbean, Anguilla is a self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The island was first discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, and has been administered by Britain since 1650.
In 1967, People's Progressive Party (PPP) leader Ronald Webster declared Anguilla a sovereign nation, and eventually renamed it as Republic of Anguilla. Britain did not acknowledge the island's independence, and in 1969, British forces invaded the island to restore order.
In 1980, the area became a separate parliamentary democratic British dependency, and Webster won the House of Assembly election under the Anguilla United Party (AUP) banner. Emile Gumbs of the Anguilla National Alliance (ANA) took over as chief minister in 1984, remaining in the post for 10 years. AUP leader Hubert Hughes formed a coalition government with the ADP in 1994.
Following the 2000 election, Osbourne Fleming took over as chief minister after his ANA—in coalition with the ADP—secured four seats in the legislative branch. Around 13,000 people inhabit the island today.
2005 House of Assembly Election
On Jan. 29, chief minister Osbourne Fleming announced that the parliamentary ballot would take place on Feb. 21. At least 23 candidates have been registered to contend for the seven seats available through the ballot box. The chief minister said his government has been successful so far in improving "the economic and social well-being of the people."
Opposition leader Edison Baird—elected as an independent in 2000—is now campaigning as a member of the Anguilla Strategic Alliance (ASA). Baird has criticized the Fleming administration for failing to explain the actual benefits of a series of infrastructure projects, including renovations to the Wallblack Airport valued at $25 million U.S.
Voting went on without any major problems on Feb. 21. Final results gave Fleming a second term, as the United Front (UF) held on to its four seats in the House of Assembly. Aside from the prime minister, the other UF members to win their constituencies were Kenneth Harrigan, Neil Rogers and Victor Banks.
ASA leader Baird and Albert Hughes were also elected, along with Hubert Hughes of the Anguilla United Movement (AUM). Turnout was tabled at 74.6 per cent.
Political Players
Governor: Alan Huckle
Chief minister: Osbourne Fleming - ANA
Legislative Branch: The House of Assembly has 11 members; seven members are elected to five-year terms in single-seat constituencies, plus two ex-officio members and two appointed members. Three of the non-elected members are chosen by the governor, and the other is picked by the governing party.
Results of Last Election:
House of Assembly - Feb. 21, 2005
Vote% | Seats | |
United Front (UF) | 39% | 4 |
Anguilla Strategic Alliance (ASA) | 20% | 2 |
Anguilla United Movement (AUM) | 20% | 1 |
Anguilla Progressive Party (APP) | 9% | -- |
Independents | 12% | -- |
Ex-officio members | -- | 2 |
Appointed members | -- | 2 |
