General elections were held in Anguilla on 21 February 2005 to elect the seven elected seats in the House of Assembly. The Anguilla United Front, an alliance of the Anguilla National Alliance and the Anguilla Democratic Party, won the elections retaining four of the elected seats.
Background In the previous elections in 2000, the governing Anguilla United Party was defeated by a coalition of the Anguilla National Alliance and the Anguilla Democratic Party. Together the two parties won four of the seven elected seats and the leader of the Anguilla National Alliance, Osbourne Fleming, became Chief Minister. In May 2004 the leadership of the opposition passed from Hubert Hughes, leader of the Anguilla United Movement party, to Edison Baird, leader of the Anguilla Strategic Alliance. This came after one member of the House of Assembly, Albert Hughes, changed parties.
Electoral system The House of Assembly has 11 members. Seven members are directly elected by the plurality voting system while the other four members are appointed. One of the appointed members is chosen by the governing party, while the other three are appointed by the Governor, with one of the three appointments being made in consultation with the opposition.
Campaign Towards the end of January 2005 Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming announced that the election would be held on 21 February, with nominations required by the 8 February. A record 25 candidates put themselves up for election by the 7,560 eligible voters.
The governing Anguilla United Front stood based on the development they had brought over the past five years, including the island's first 18 hole golf course, the renovation of Wallblake Airport and plans for a luxury hotel. Osbourne Fleming claimed that the developments would bring jobs and had made Anguilla significantly different from how it had been five years before.
Three opposition parties, the Anguilla Strategic Alliance, Anguilla United Movement and Anguilla Progressive Party fielded candidates. Opposition leader Edison Baird of the Anguilla Strategic Alliance said that the government had not been open enough in explaining how the development project would benefit ordinary Anguillans. Opposition parties also criticised tax concessions given to the company who would be building the luxury hotel.
Results All 6 incumbents who sought re-election kept their seats in the election. The only change took place in Valley North where the previous representative, Eric Reid, stood down and was succeeded by Evans McNeil Rogers.
By constituency
Constituency Candidate Party Votes %1 - Island Harbour Kenneth Harrigan 459 59.61 Joshua Hodge 167 21.69 Barbara Webster-Bourne 102 13.25 Londrade Hodge 42 5.452 - Sandy Hill Osbourne Fleming 309 68.82 Jerome Roberts 107 23.83 George Hodge 33 7.353 - Valley North Evans Rogers 609 50.04 Ralph Hodge 354 29.09 Leroy Rogers 211 17.34 Valencia Hodge 43 3.534 - Valley South Victor Banks 539 54.12 Evan Gumbs 349 35.04 Iwandai Gumbs 108 10.845 - Road North Edison Baird 338 44.01 Rhona Richardson 261 33.98 Haydn Hughes 147 19.14 Anne Edwards 22 2.866 - Road South Hubert Hughes 420 44.54 Brent Davis 241 25.56 Curtis Richardson 224 23.75 Jere Gumbs 58 6.157 - West End Albert Hughes 160 37.56 Walcott Richardson 139 32.63 Wilmoth Hodge 127 29.81
Aftermath The day after the elections was declared a national holiday and the four elected members of the Anguilla United Front were sworn into government by the Governor Alan Huckle. Following the election, Albert Hughes, left the Anguilla Strategic Alliance and joined the government. This meant the opposition was evenly split between the Anguilla Strategic Alliance and the Anguilla United Movement, so the Governor did not appoint a Leader of the Opposition.
References
External links District results Full list of candidates