He made the statement after being sworn in by High Court Judge Janice Creque and while delivering his address in the island’s House of Assembly on May 28. He was at the time expressing how he saw his role in Anguilla. “I hope to work in close collaboration with Ministers, elected representatives and members of the public service,” he stated.

Governor Huckle being sworn in at House of Assembly

The Governor, whose appointment is for four years, went on: “I hope that we shall set high standards of integrity, honesty and professionalism in the service of the public – for that must be our shared aim. Your Constitution accords the Governor special responsibilities for certain functional areas – external affairs, defence, international financial services, internal security (including the police) and the public service. This does not mean that these are not issues for the Government as a whole. They are, and should be, matters of common concern, particularly as it is for the Chief Minister and his Ministerial colleagues to set the political direction of Anguilla and, with the concurrence of the House of Assembly, to vote the necessary resources for the island’s sustainable development.

“We should all take care to maintain as key values the independence of the judiciary, the political impartiality of the public service and integrity in the administration of justice. The public has the right to expect high standards in their governance – and all of us in government and the public service must earn (and respect) the trust and confidence that the public place in us.”

Governor Huckle noted that he had visited Anguilla on several occasions as head of the Caribbean Territories’ Regional Secretariat in Barbados and more recently as head of the Overseas Territories Department in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

“I was struck then by the beauty of this island and the friendliness and initiative of its people,” he continued. “When the opportunity came to apply for the post of Governor of Anguilla, I took it without hesitation, albeit after the briefest of consultation with my wife, Helen, who happily agreed. We both recognise the very real responsibility of the appointment: it is both a privilege and an honour. We look forward to serving you and the people of Anguilla to the best of our ability.

“I come without the plumed hat, sword and other trappings of a colonial Governor. At the time of the 1999 White Paper – “Partnership for Progress and Prosperity: Britain and the Overseas Territories” – it was felt that the Governor’s uniform no longer symbolised the nature of the modern partnership that the British Government wanted to have with the Overseas Territories. I am glad that the Chief Minister and his colleagues endorsed this view, because it is a modern, collaborative relationship that we need to establish and that it is the Governor’s job to foster and sustain.”

Mr. Huckle saw his role as having three essential elements – the first being as representative of the Queen who asked him to convey her best wishes to the people of Anguilla. He pointed out that he was also a representative of the UK Government.

The Governor’s address continued as follows: “The basis of the relationship between the Overseas Territories and the UK remains the partnership set out in the 1999 White Paper. This relationship is voluntary. The territories have the right to remain British as long as they wish but, save in Gibraltar where the situation is bound by the Treaty of Utrecht, the territories have the option of independence where that is the freely and democratically expressed wish of the people. But whilst the link remains with the UK, the relationship carries obligations and responsibilities on both sides….

“Equally important, however, I am under the Constitution your Governor. As such I shall seek to represent your interests strongly and fairly whenever that is necessary. In this, the Governor must be a conduit of opinion in Anguilla to the UK Government. UK Ministers and others, who generate policy in Whitehall that may affect the Overseas Territories, must be made aware – and be persuaded to heed – the views of the people in the territories.

“The Honourable Chief Minister and his Ministers in Government have a crucial role to play in this in their own direct relationship with UK Ministers. Drawing on my own experience of the Whitehall machine, I hope to work collaboratively with Government Ministers here to represent the interests of the people of Anguilla to London in the best and most effective way possible. I also hope to be able to help in identifying the best possible sources of technical assistance in the UK whenever this may be needed.”

Mr. Huckle said that in an effort to know the island and its people better, he and his wife would be visiting all the electoral districts to see what the problems were and what help was needed to remedy them. He noted that Anguilla had developed by leaps and bounds.

A section of the invited guests

“The island, along with many of its Caribbean neighbours, is vulnerable to the modern international threats of drug-running, money-laundering and international terrorism, as well as some developments in globalisation and other international trade practices. We must work together, Chief Minister, to reduce the risks to Anguilla. I know that there are also many local issues to resolve, not the least extending the airport runway and reducing violent crime – both vital to sustaining Anguilla’s tourist industry – as well as making sure that adequate preparations have been made for the hurricane season. And next year there must be elections. We must ensure that these are free and fair and conducted properly.”

The Governor observed that there was much for him and his wife to do and learn. “We pledge our full commitment to the task and hope for your support, and God’s blessings, in carrying it out,” he stated.

Mr. Huckle was welcomed to Anguilla by Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming who assured him and Mrs. Huckle of the warmth and hospitality of the Anguillian people. He was grateful that the Government was given an opportunity to have a say in the appointment of the Governor.

Mr. Fleming stated that the two requests put forward by his Government to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was that the Governor should be a religious person and have a knowledge of the Caribbean region. He was grateful that Mr. Huckle had met both stipulations.

Opposition Leader, Edison Baird, also welcomed the Governor and outlined a number of challenges facing him in Anguilla.

L-R: CM Fleming, Governor and Mrs. Huckle and DG Mark Capes Photos courtesy of Wycliffe Richardson

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