Thirty-one Caribbean nationals living in Anguilla for a number of years have now become British Overseas Territory Citizens by virtue of their connection with this island.

Some of the new British Citizens and their guests with Governnor Huckle

Registration certificates from the Home Secretary in London were presented to the recipients by Governor Alan Huckle at a ceremony at Government House late last week. Those accorded British citizenship were originally from St. Kitts-Nevis, Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago and elsewhere in the region.

In administering the oath of allegiance and the pledge of citizenship, the Governor told them they were now British Citizens along with Anguillians who had obtained the status under the British Overseas Territories Act 2002.

“As British Citizens, you will join Anguillians in enjoying the right, on a reciprocal basis, to live and have the opportunity to work in the UK, free of UK immigration controls,” Governor Huckle said. “The same advantages apply to you in the other member states of the European Union and of the European Economic Agreement again on a non-reciprocal basis. And as British Citizens, you have the right to apply for a British Passport.

“On behalf of the Government of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, I congratulate you on attaining British citizenship. I also hope, however, that by virtue of your connection with Anguilla, you will continue to work for the good of Anguilla and its sustained economic development and contribute to the well-being of the community here. Anguillians are a friendly, welcoming people. We look to you to reciprocate their welcome and play an honest, valuable part in society here.”

Earlier in his address, the Governor said: “The aim of the British citizenship ceremony is to celebrate the significance of becoming a British citizen and to welcome you, as new citizens, into the British community in a warm and friendly fashion.

“It is an opportunity to remind you of the privileges and responsibilities that flow from being a British Citizen. The values that underpin British society have become entrenched throughout Britain’s long and proud history. They encompass a respect for law and order, freedom of speech, courtesy, tolerance and respect of religious belief, an understanding of, and participation in, the democratic process which must be seen to be free and fair.

“Britain has long been a bastion against dictatorship and intolerance and maintains a fine tradition of parliamentary democracy in one of the oldest parliaments in the modern word. Britain is a multi-cultural, ethnically diverse society which values the contribution that all can make to the quality and cultural diversity of life in the community.”

This was the first British citizenship ceremony held in Anguilla.

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