The Anguilla National Youth Council has launched a series of debates between election candidates, with a focus on sustainable development and issues affecting young people.
Participants include members of the island’s three political parties – the Anguilla Progressive Movement (APM), the Anguilla Reliable Team (ART), and the Anguilla United Front (AUF).
Several independent candidates have also seized the opportunity to discuss the key issues ahead of the island’s general election on 26 February.
The youth council, a non-partisan organisation advocating for youth empowerment, leadership and civic engagement, is hosting the debates to provide a platform for informed discussion.
In a statement on 13 February, it assured that no questions had been shared with candidates before the debates and reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality, integrity and fairness.
Districts 1 and 2
The first lively debates took place on Monday, 10 February, at the Morris Vanterpool Primary School and featured representatives of the Districts 1, Island Harbour, and 2, Sandy Hill.
The debate for District 1 saw independent candidate Palmavon Webster, Claude Smith of the AUF, and Ellis Webster from the APM engage in discussions.
Participants in the debate for District 2 included Cora Richardson-Hodge of the AUF party and the APM’s Lennox Vanterpool.
The debates were recorded by In Anguilla and can be watched in full below:
Districts 3 and 4
The debates for Districts 3 and 4, Valley North and Valley South, were held at Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School’s Campus Q cafeteria on Tuesday, 11 February.
Among the participants in the District 3 debate were the AUF’s Shellya Rogers-Webster and Courtney Morton of the APM party.
Taking part in the debate for District 4 were Cordell Richardson of the AUF and the APM party’s Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers.
The debates were recorded by In Anguilla and can be watched in full below:
Districts 5 and 7
The debates for Districts 5 and 7, Road North and West End, took place at the Teachers’ Resource Centre on Wednesday, 12 February.
Taking part in the District 5 debate were Aristo Richardson of the ART, Merrick Richardson from the APM party, and Davon Carty of the AUF.
Engaging in the debate for District 7 were Kevin Pickering-Meyers of the ART, the APM’s Jamie Hodge, and Cardigan Connor from the AUF.
The debates were recorded by In Anguilla and can be watched in full below:
Upcoming debates
The District 6 or Road South debate will take place at Adrian T Hazell Primary School at 7pm on Friday, 14 February.
It will include candidates Marie Connor from the ART party, Haydn Hughes of the APM, and Patrick Mardenborough from the AUF.
Islandwide candidate debates will be held on Monday, 17 Feburary, at the Teachers’ Resource Centre and on Tuesday, 18 February, at the Morris Vanterpool Primary School.
General election
This year’s general election is being held on 26 February with advance polling for eligible people on 25 February.
General elections in Anguilla are held every five years, with the most recent election taking place in June 2020 when the APM was elected into office.
On election day, voters can select one candidate from their single-member district and up to four candidates from the islandwide district.
Eleven members of the Anguilla House of Assembly will be elected in total.
The electoral districts are: 1) Island Harbour, 2) Sandy Hill, 3) Valley North, 4) Valley South, 5) Road North, 6) Road South and 7) West End. A detailed map can be accessed here.
Voters must be a citizen of Anguilla, have resided in the territory for a specified period before the election, be at least 18 years old, and be registered on the electoral roll.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article provides impartial coverage of political activities in the lead up to the 2025 general election in Anguilla.
It does not constitute an endorsement of any party or candidate.
