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Anguilla (British Overseas Territory)

 Flag of Anguilla

Last reviewed: 26 June 2009

Country information

POLITICS

Constitutional Status

Anguilla is an internally self-governing UK Overseas Territory with a ministerial system of government. The 1982 Constitution (amended in 1990) provides for a Governor, an Executive Council and a House of Assembly. The Governor, appointed by HM The Queen, has reserved powers in respect of legislation, and is responsible for external affairs, offshore finance, defence and internal security (including the police force) and the public service. The current Deputy Governor, appointed in 2006, is the first Anguillian to hold that position. He has delegated responsibility for running the public service and for disaster management.

The Executive Council comprises the elected government plus two Ex-Officio Members (Attorney General and Deputy Governor). The House of Assembly comprises 12members: Speaker, seven elected Members, two Nominated and the two ex-officio Members. Elections are held at least every five years.

Constitutional Reform

HMG invited the Overseas Territories to carry out local consultation and to make proposals for the review and modernisation of their Constitution (1999 White Paper Partnership for Progress and Prosperity). Anguilla appointed a new Constitutional and Electoral Reform Commission to take forward the constitutional reform process in 2006, which presented its report in August of that year. The first round of constitutional talks was scheduled for July 2007 but was postponed at the request of the Chief Minister to allow more time for consultation.

Government

Governor's and Deputy Governor's Office

Governor: His Excellency Mr Alistair Harrison
Deputy Governor: The Hon Stanley Reid
Head of Governor's and Deputy Governor's Office: Mr Terry Alloway
Staff Officer: Mr Peter Roberts
Executive Assistant: Miss Julie Moffat
Government House
Old Ta
Anguilla
Tel: (00) (1) (264) 497 2621/2622
Fax: (00) (1) (264) 497 3314

Government Ministers

The Hon Osbourne Fleming: Chief Minister and Minister for Labour, Immigration, Lands and Physical Planning, Environment, Gender Affairs
The Hon Victor Banks: Minister for Finance, Economic Development, Tourism, Investment and Commerce
The Hon Kenneth Harrigan: Minister for Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities, Housing, Agriculture and Fisheries
The Hon Evans McNeil Rogers: Minister for Social Development

Recent Political Developments

The last general election was held on 21 February 2005. The election saw a 74.6% turn-out of the 7,500 strong electorate. The seven existing members of the House of Assembly were re-elected except for Eric Reid who did not stand. His seat was won by Niel Rogers. The government is made up of four members of the Anguilla United Front (Osbourne Fleming, Victor Banks, Kenneth Harrigan and Niel Rogers).

Elections

The next election is due by March 2010.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Overseas Territories are expected to comply with their obligations under the international human rights instruments which have been extended to them. The following major Conventions apply in Anguilla:

European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT)
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
UN Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)

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Contacts

Anguilla, Government House

Address:

Governor’s Office, Government House, Anguilla, West Indies
PO Box 60, The Valley, Anguilla, AL-2640

Royal Anguilla Police Force; Police HQ, The Valley, Anguilla

Government of Anguilla Passport Office, The Valley Anguilla

The UK Passport Service Centre for the Americas and Caribbean, British Embassy, 19 Observatory Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA

Telephone:

Governor’s Office - (1) (264) 497 2621/2622
Royal Anguilla Police Force - (1) (264) 497 2333/5333
Government of Anguilla Passport Office - (1) (264) 497 7394

Fax:

(1) (264) 497 3314

Email: mailto:contactusanguilla@fco.gov.uk

Email: passportoffice@gov.ai

Office hours:

1200-1600/1700-2000 GMT
0800-1200/1300-1600 Local Time