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Anguilla Opposition Party won in landslide victory! Is VI next?

- The Opposition Anguilla United Front took 6 out of 7 seats with the ruling Anguilla United Movement zero & 1 independent in the House of Assembly after the election of April 22, 2015
The Chief Minister Elect Victor F. Banks of the AUF will be sworn in as Chief Minister later today April 23, 2015, according to our news room’s correspondence in The Valley. The Opposition Anguilla United Front (AUF), who lost power in 2010, returned in grand style and took 6 out of 7 seats. The other seat was won by an independent candidate. Photo: The Anguillan
What is very similar with both the National Democratic Party (NDP) and the now defeated AUM is that when outgoing Chief Minister Hubert B. Hughes took office in 2010, he told the people of Anguilla that the AUF had left the country broke and that he needed to build the reserve fund. This is the same script of the now Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith-led NDP about the VIP who is now headed by Chairman Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3, right). Photo: VINO/File
What is very similar with both the National Democratic Party (NDP) and the now defeated AUM is that when outgoing Chief Minister Hubert B. Hughes took office in 2010, he told the people of Anguilla that the AUF had left the country broke and that he needed to build the reserve fund. This is the same script of the now Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith-led NDP about the VIP who is now headed by Chairman Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3, right). Photo: VINO/File
THE VALLEY, Anguilla, WI- Outgoing Chief Minister Hubert B. Hughes retired from active politics and saw his ruling party, the Anguilla United Movement (AUM), defeated at the polls. The AUM was not able to get even one seat out of the seven elected seats in the Anguilla general elections held yesterday April 22, 2015.

The Opposition Anguilla United Front (AUF), who lost power in 2010, returned in grand style and took 6 out of 7 seats. The other seat was won by an independent candidate.

The Chief Minister Elect Victor F. Banks of the AUF will be sworn in as Chief Minister later today, according to our news room’s correspondent in The Valley.

The defeated party, AUM, was headed by a medical practitioner, Dr Ellis L. Webster.

More Anguilla elections results will come later.

Winds of change in the Caribbean

Over the past two years, every Caribbean island has changed its government except Dominica. There have been election changes in Antigua & Barbuda, St Kitts & Nevis, The United States Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Grenada, Montserrat and St Martin, among others.

Many political pundits have spoken to the similarities of the now ousted Anguilla United Movement to that of the National Democratic Party (NDP) in the Virgin Islands. They had been anti-UK in calling for independence like many Ministers in the NDP, and their concept of austerity was about saving all the money in the reserve and not injecting any money in the economy of Anguilla for development.

NDP like the losing party in Anguilla

The defeated AUM in Anguilla had also been accused, just like the NDP, of being out of touch with the ordinary person and reportedly handing out contracts only to friends, families and cronies, according to both the NDP and AUM critics.

What is again so similar with both the NDP and the now defeated AUM is that when outgoing Chief Minister Hughes took office in 2010, he told the people of Anguilla that the AUF had left the country broke and that he needed to build the reserve fund. This is the same script of the now NDP about the VIP.

The AUM, leading up to the elections, had also been involved in election spending just like what the NDP is being criticised for. 

However, the Governor of Anguilla Christina Scott had placed a hold on election spending in what she described as good governance. The current Governor of the Virgin Islands, John S. Duncan, has been labelled as having gone ‘AWOL’ on the practice of good governance.

47 Responses to “Anguilla Opposition Party won in landslide victory! Is VI next?”

  • oooooo (23/04/2015, 11:00) Like (18) Dislike (29) Reply
    keep dreaming ...........
    • yellow (23/04/2015, 11:07) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
      ha ha stolen id...SMH desprate men to desprate things
    • Another 99 Years Lease Inked (23/04/2015, 14:16) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      In 2007, I recalled after the NDP came out of hiding, the Done Deal Rep for the 7th wanted to know/Understand
      why the electorate did such a thing to them. He claimed that he had pondered and search for answers as to the
      reason; finally stating that the only thing he cam up with, was that "They were to Advanced" of the people.

      Well, When you are not listening, and when you do, it is to the guys on the 300-acre estate in eastern VG, the
      other guy on Mosquito/Necker Island and the one on Guana and Cooper, you would Understand and know why.

      In this day and age of dwindling real estate and you signed a 99-yar renewal lease over at Nail Bay, you will know
      why.
      When you have a former permanent Permanent Secretary, along with his boss from the 300-acre estate in eastern
      VG giving out laptops in the 9th, the Doc will know why. While I am at it, wouldn't it be prudent and respectable
      to the electorate of the district to be notified and have an input in the discussion of any new investment development, (including lease renewals), especially where acreage is 50 acres or less?

      We got news for the Done Deal Doc
  • cay (23/04/2015, 11:03) Like (19) Dislike (19) Reply
    well saw NDP must be shaking in its pants
  • NDP Next (23/04/2015, 11:07) Like (29) Dislike (20) Reply
    NDPs loss will be worse
  • ----------------------- (23/04/2015, 11:07) Like (20) Dislike (11) Reply
    THE WRTING IS ON THE WALL FOR THE NDP
  • BVI/AXA (23/04/2015, 11:11) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Congrats to Hon Victor Banks and the ANguilla united front is the progressive party in AxA which can be compare to our sitting Administration which is also progressive ,when others say we're moving to fast .congrats again lets keep the progressive pressure on
    • @ BVI/AXA (24/04/2015, 23:48) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
      for god sake Please dont make me laff, ndp progressive? and they hate island people, locals and only love the whites! boss man me belly ah hut.
  • JACK BE STILL (23/04/2015, 11:14) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    and the goverment had all the money to spend and look what happen so VIP fear not!
  • one vote (23/04/2015, 11:22) Like (23) Dislike (10) Reply
    Each voter can only speak of their one vote and as much as I am not an NDP fan, I have yet to see a slate of candidates on the VIP ticket to attract my one vote. As of now, NDP has mine
  • dd (23/04/2015, 11:28) Like (16) Dislike (8) Reply
    Winds of change need to hit the bvi
  • Amethyst (23/04/2015, 11:39) Like (12) Dislike (10) Reply
    I like the results, especially the election of an independent candidate. I want to see a coalition government, because that's the only thing that can save us from these parties and the, NHI, Port Expansion, Airport Expansion, etc.
  • AUF (23/04/2015, 11:49) Like (17) Dislike (7) Reply
    Virgin Islanders vote dem "all out"
  • please (23/04/2015, 11:52) Like (20) Dislike (23) Reply
    The government that was deaf eaten yesterday was very like the VIP government we voted out last time. The new Anguila government will be like our NDP and will have several terms in office. No change for the BVI.
    • sense (23/04/2015, 12:09) Like (17) Dislike (9) Reply
      Thank you for common sense. The other islands are behind the BVI, we made our change since 2011 so I don't know what winds of change they still talking about. We made that change almost 4 years ago now we are moving the country forward with the young people behind us and representing us!
      • bvi islander (23/04/2015, 14:55) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
        NDP doing a good job. Fiscal responsibility, transparency and getting projects going and completed that the VIP laboured over. Stability is the key to moving the county forward not constant flip flopping of political power. VIP candidates do not have the strength and depth to take over the government. NDP candidates mixes experience and youth..a great recipe for the future.
        • @ bvi islander (23/04/2015, 18:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Why no one is in jail yet?
        • to bvi islander (24/04/2015, 08:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          When I have to read misinformation and untruths like this first thing in the morning it is difficult to maintain grace. NDP say they completed the hospital but yet have no funds to to run it. People were begging for funds from the general public for the hospital. Is that any good achieving example to you? The cruise ship pier - they say they extended, can only accommodate 2 ships. Someone tell me, can it dock Queen Mary sized ship which is the 3rd largest in the world and docks out in the harbour when it visits? The 2nd largest is RC Freedom series and the largest - 1st is RC Oasis series. Both of these sized ships dock in St Thomas at their new dock in St Thomas at Crown Bay. St Thomas can accommodate 5 / 6 ships on their old pier. Puerto Rico recently worked on their docks to accommodate the RC Oasis series sized ships. So when you say NDP completed projects - spent all that money, where is the return on millions spent? 1 RC Oasis ship can net 10,000 visitors to St Thomas while on a good day with two Norwegian or medium sized ships we can get 8,000 - 9,000 visitors on the dock you and NDP say they extended? For the amount of millions spent does this sound like a good return to you? Next point they digging up the road all over the place - for what?
          Other issues. Unemployment a huge discomfort for the country tripled under NDP reign. NDP not only had no solution but I remember reading an article some time back where the Premier said no job was secure. Now with a nation looking to you, with children to feed, is that anything to tell the people? And then have the gall to have a family impression as the NDP party logo. While we are talking home truths - the social welfare system that has come about by way of goodness of the people donating food to the Family Support Network so families right here in this country can eat. This was what 3 years of NDP rule reduced the country to. Poverty. You talk about stability. In 3 years the country had 3 accountant generals.
          Every time you turn around this person in, this person out. NDP is unstable as water.
          The quality of living in the country declined under NDP. Just a general sense of disenchantment. People have left and others leaving the country for better - just getting out of Dodge. NDP intimidation tactics, victimization mentality and bad governance are bad recipes for a thriving country,
      • @sense (23/04/2015, 18:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        You think?! A lot of Caribbean Countries and Territories are way ahead of the BVI. Who are you fooling. A lot of the things being done by the NDP are VIP INITIATIVES.
    • @ please (23/04/2015, 12:09) Like (23) Dislike (21) Reply
      Oh Pease I am an Anguillan and the one that lost AUM is just like the NDP…they ran on serving all the people but they did not, they ran on government in the sun shine and they did nothing in the sun shine…they were accused of victimization and corruption whereby the Lady governor had to step in many times…they hired a bunch of consultants [including one from the BVI LS] just like the NDP and they try to fool the people…out side of Hughes all their candidates were young businessmen …ha ha just like the NDP..The people give them what the duck got….

      In the BVI VIP will be on their way back!!!! now take that to the bank
      • okay (25/04/2015, 21:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Stay an Anguillian and keep out, that was a foolish thing you all did there. I see nothing but disappoint for you.
  • HAHA (23/04/2015, 12:06) Like (20) Dislike (22) Reply
    LMAO!! NDP got this, try 2020 VIP.
  • Look Out (23/04/2015, 12:21) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Look out BVI, you next! They better have "Hima" and MASA close at hand. Don't you see Ronnie bawling already?
    Now Let's Do This Ting and D.I.N (Do it now) X out VIP!!!!
  • yes (23/04/2015, 12:37) Like (29) Dislike (19) Reply
    I shall never vote for VIP, to much lies, they are telling and carrying around, no positive..............in the end i have seen the light with NDP. No one would make me change my votes
  • mary j (23/04/2015, 12:40) Like (18) Dislike (21) Reply
    DONE DEAL FRASER WILL BE THE NEXT CHIEF
    • HMMM (23/04/2015, 13:36) Like (11) Dislike (8) Reply
      I can see the queen taking back this country just like she did Turks and Caicos if Fraser get in
  • tom (23/04/2015, 13:00) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    "However, the Governor of Anguilla Christina Scott had placed a hold on election spending in what she described as good governance. The current Governor of the Virgin Islands, John S. Duncan, has been labelled as having gone ‘AWOL’ on the practice of good governance." SO TRUE

  • gone with the win (23/04/2015, 13:22) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    not to worry NDP gone....
  • wize up (23/04/2015, 13:39) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
    change is a good thing; lets all thanks NDP for a job well done BUT we need a change ( talk that)
  • North Sounder (23/04/2015, 13:41) Like (13) Dislike (7) Reply
    THAT RESULT WILL HAPPEN HERE TOO.... THE INDEPENEDENT CANIDIDATE WILL BE DR. HANNIBAL FOR THE 9TH DISTRICT..
  • facts man (23/04/2015, 14:04) Like (10) Dislike (12) Reply
    How can any one in their right mind go back and give the NDP even one vote. After leaving the people hungry for 4 long years and now come on the eve of elections to try and fool the people with work.
    Now all the work they have going on they should be on a high so why they still fearful of calling the election/ it tells you something.

    We will never return this corrupt government to power NEVER...They in for such a big surprise
  • John (23/04/2015, 14:19) Like (8) Dislike (10) Reply
    NDP all the wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
  • virgin gorda (23/04/2015, 14:27) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    They had better do something like that in our next election to the NDP
  • in time 2 come (23/04/2015, 14:58) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    The Right Honourable Premier Julian Frazer and Minister of C&W soon later this year 2 take us forward. Forward ever backwards never.
    • Johnny B (23/04/2015, 15:52) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Who will want to put a government in power who wants to kill the teachers investments.Biwater kills them with ocean conversation and they want to invest in the cruise pier and somebody said when they get back in power they killing the cruise pier project,you all voted them in.
  • fco (23/04/2015, 15:31) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    If u want the uk to take over the bvi u go put back the ndp and see what happen...
  • PRO (23/04/2015, 16:07) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is the problem here in the BVI. PARTY PARTY PARTY. You vote for an individual you feel will be appropriate for the position. This party thing in 2015 will get us in Trouble. I know what i know. The opposition will out throw the current BVI government. There is more opposition that VIP. Beware! So lets not me to Hasty on calling the VIP alone the opposition. There is a force higher than all of us. We shall see this time around! very Interesting.
  • teacher john (23/04/2015, 18:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The vip has saved this country in 2007 and they are called up to do so again....
  • 2015 (23/04/2015, 18:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its going to be ruff but in the end the vip will prevail!!!
  • cape town (23/04/2015, 21:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vip got this in the bag
  • PEACE FOR BVI (24/04/2015, 06:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What's wrong with our people? We are all on here talking about party. No one talks about what is best for this country. A spirit of division is now among our people. We need unity for strength for the future. We are comfortable as young children who cannot leave our Mother. We need to analyze what the future of these islands will be for our grand children. We need to be progressive in ensuring that we can hold on to these islands. We fight among ourselves so much we fail to prepare to secure the future of these islands. TB Lettsome said someone will do us something one day that we will not be able to accept, People prepare to secure these islands. Ask for revelations to see the handwriting on the wall
  • RealPol (24/04/2015, 17:04) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Congrats to Chief Minister Victor Banks and AUF on their decisive and impressive victory, grabbing 6 of 7 seats. It is a new day for Anguilla and Anguillians. The seeds has been planted and hopefully they can germinate and bear fruits to grow and diversify the economy and improve and sustain the standard of living and quality of life. It was a rough row to hoe for the AUM, failing capture none of the 7 seats. Could this shutout be due to looking for the few at the expense of the many?

    Moreover, is the wind of change gusting with hurricane firce in the Anglophone region? Which country will brake the chain, Guyana (May 11) or VI (July 7 ?)? Here is a list of countries with new governments: Anguilla (Apr 15), Antigua & Barbuda(Jun 14), St. Kitts & Nevis (Feb 15), Montserrat (Sep 14), Grenada (Feb 13). Additionally, USVI (Nov 2014). Further, Dominica Labour Party was returned to power in Feb 15 and Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and St. Vincent are due for elections this year.
  • Crown of Royalty (27/04/2015, 11:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations' to the people of Anguilla for their admirable, peaceful transition to elect a new government. Congratulations' to the winning party, CM Banks and his team. I pray for our beloved Anguilla each day. I do hope that the term a "New Anguilla" means that we can return her to her traditional greatness....take pride in our Anguillianess, respect each other, bring back our children, maintain a positive uplifting outlook on life in general and enjoy the peace, joy, good health and abundance that God bestows upon us, in a unique land where our forefathers fought and died, so that we may claim that Anguilla is for Anguillans at home and abroad...all visitors welcome.


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