History and Government
History
The name Anguilla, meaning ‘eel’, was given to the island by the Spanish, because of the island’s eel-like shape. It was the British, however, who first settled on Anguilla in the 17th century; the island was administered in conjunction with the Leeward Islands. During the early part of the 19th century, Anguilla was incorporated into St Kitts and Nevis, despite opposition from the islanders. Upon St Kitts’ independence in 1967, the Anguillans refused to accept independent government from there; a rather bizarre and occasionally comical ‘crisis’ followed, during which British marines were sent in to install a Commissioner to maintain British rule on the islands.
Formally, the islands became a ‘state in association’ with the UK until 1980, when it was granted the status of a British Dependent Territory. Domestic politics have been dominated by the shifting fortunes of the Anguilla United Movement, the Anguilla Democratic Party and the Anguilla National Alliance. The most recent general election, in March 2000, was won by a coalition of the Democratic Party and the National Alliance under Alliance leader Osbourne Fleming.
Government
Anguilla is a separate dependency under the British government. The 1982 constitution provided that executive power should be in the hands of the Governor, who is appointed by the British Monarch. The Executive Council, led by the Chief Minister, advises the Governor. The legislature comprises the House of Assembly, seven members of which are elected by universal adult suffrage for five-year terms, two are ex officio, and two appointed by the Governor.
|
