Cora Richardson-Hodge Becomes Anguilla’s First Female Premier

Cora Richardson-Hodge is set to be sworn in as Anguilla’s first female Premier on Thursday after leading the Anguilla United Front (AUF) to a decisive victory in the general elections. The AUF secured eight of the eleven contested seats, unseating the incumbent Anguilla Progressive Movement (APM) led by outgoing Premier Dr. Ellis Webster, who retained his seat along with two other APM members, Haydn Hughes and Merrick Richardson.

The AUF swept all four “at-large” seats and four district constituencies. Key issues in the campaign included economic concerns, taxation, crime, and the management of Anguilla’s lucrative ‘.ai’ domain. A proposal to revoke voting rights for Anguillians abroad was abandoned after public backlash.

Richardson-Hodge’s historic win marks a milestone for gender representation, as she will serve alongside British-appointed Governor Julia Crouch. With high expectations, the new administration faces the challenge of addressing pressing economic and social issues.