History and Heritage

Early Settlement and Self-Governance (1650-1825)

Anguilla's parliamentary tradition has uniquely deep roots, beginning with the island's first settlement in 1650 by runaway indentured servants from Barbados and small farmers from St. Kitts seeking to escape heavy tobacco taxes.¹ What makes Anguilla's early history remarkable is that by 1666, just sixteen years after settlement, the leading figures formed themselves into a self-appointed Executive Council and elected their own deputy governor.²

For nearly two centuries, this Council operated without any formal constitutional authority from the Crown, a situation unique in the West Indies.³ While other Leeward Islands received Royal Patents appointing deputy governors, island councils, and assemblies, Anguilla governed itself through this informal but effective system. The Council served simultaneously as executive, legislative, and judicial authority, exercising power that was merely tolerated rather than sanctioned by colonial authorities in Antigua.⁴

This period of self-governance, though unregulated, demonstrated the Anguillian people's capacity for democratic organization and their fierce independence, qualities that would define their political character for centuries to come. As one English historian noted in 1707, the settlers lived "without government or religion, having no minister nor governor, no magistrates, no law."⁵ Yet this apparent lawlessness masked a functioning community that managed its affairs through consensus and local leadership.

Union with St. Kitts (1825-1967)

Economic collapse from prolonged drought, hurricanes, and the devastating effects of the Napoleonic Wars finally brought Anguilla's autonomous period to an end in 1825. Under pressure from London, which needed a legal framework to apply slavery amelioration laws and the coming Abolition of Slavery Act, Anguillians dissolved their Council and accepted governance from St. Kitts.⁶

The St. Kitts Legislative Assembly passed the Anguilla Act, extending its laws to Anguilla and granting the island one representative in the joint legislature.⁷ For the first time in 175 years, Anguilla had laws made by a legally constituted assembly, though that assembly sat seventy miles away in Basseterre, St. Kitts.

This arrangement continued through the colonial period and into the early independence era. However, tensions grew as Anguillians felt increasingly marginalized within the St. Kitts-dominated government. The situation became particularly acute during constitutional negotiations for Associated Statehood in the 1960s, when Anguillian fears about their future treatment led to promises of local councils that were subsequently delayed or inadequately implemented.⁸

As recorded in parliamentary debates of July 1967, the deteriorating situation had reached a crisis point, with British parliamentarians expressing serious concerns about the breakdown of democratic governance and the detention of opposition leaders without trial.⁹

The Anguilla Revolution and Constitutional Development (1967-1976)

The Anguilla Revolution of 1967 fundamentally transformed the island's constitutional framework. On March 8, 1967, Government House was burned, and by May 30, St. Kitts police were expelled from the island following a public meeting in Burroughs Park (now Ronald Webster Park).¹⁰ This marked the end of central government authority from St. Kitts.

The revolutionary period saw innovative constitutional experiments. The Peace-keeping Committee established in May 1967 recruited Harvard Professor Roger Fisher to draft a Constitution providing for an Anguilla Council with full legislative and executive powers.¹¹ Elections were held under this Fisher Constitution in October 1967, demonstrating the Anguillians' commitment to democratic governance even during revolutionary upheaval.¹²

The period also saw the brief existence of the Republic of Anguilla under the 1969 Holcombe Constitution, which provided for a President, Vice President, and a nine-member Assembly.¹³ However, the British intervention of March 19, 1969, brought this experiment to an end.¹⁴

British administration gradually evolved toward greater Anguillian autonomy. The Anguilla Act of 1971 provided the first legal framework for British rule, followed by the 1971 Constitution establishing a Legislative Council.¹⁵ However, real legislative power remained with the British Commissioner, creating ongoing tensions with elected Anguillian representatives.¹⁶

Modern Parliamentary Democracy (1976-Present)

The watershed moment in Anguilla's parliamentary history came with the 1976 Constitution, which established the first legislature where laws were made "with the advice and consent of the Assembly."¹⁷ The Anguilla Fund and Financial Administration (Repeal) Ordinance, No. 1 of 1976, passed on May 13, 1976, became the first law enacted by a properly constituted Anguillian legislature with the magical words "Enacted by the Legislature of Anguilla."¹⁸

The current constitutional framework was established in 1982 following the end of the Associated State arrangement.¹⁹ While St. Kitts and Nevis proceeded to independence, Anguilla chose to remain a British Overseas Territory with substantial internal self-governance.

Today's House of Assembly consists of thirteen members serving the people of Anguilla.²⁰ The institution has been strengthened through ongoing reforms and international support. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has played a crucial role in recent years, helping to modernize Standing Orders, establish codes of conduct, and implement democratic benchmarks.²¹

Recent milestones include the comprehensive update of Standing Orders in 2021—the first since 1976—and the adoption of a Code of Conduct and Register of Interests, developed with CPA support to enhance accountability and public trust.²²

Legacy and Significance

Anguilla's parliamentary history spans 375 years, from the first elected deputy governor in 1666 to the modern House of Assembly. This journey reflects the enduring Anguillian values of self-determination, democratic participation, and constitutional government that have characterized the island throughout its history.

The path from informal self-governance through colonial rule to modern parliamentary democracy demonstrates how small jurisdictions can develop effective institutions suited to their circumstances while maintaining connections to broader constitutional traditions. The Anguilla House of Assembly stands today as both a product of this unique history and a foundation for the island's democratic future.

The Assembly continues to evolve, with recent initiatives in parliamentary education, youth engagement, and international cooperation through the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association ensuring that democratic governance remains responsive to the needs of all Anguillians.²³

Footnotes

1. Mitchell, Don. "A Short History of Anguilla's Parliament." Don Mitchell's Published Papers, April 6, 2023.
2. Ibid. Mitchell notes that Abraham Howell, Anguilla's first deputy governor, described himself as having been elected as deputy governor in 1666.
3. Ibid. Mitchell observes that "such a degree of neglect by the colonial authorities was unique in the West Indies."
4. Ibid.
5. John Oldmixon, The British Empire in America (1708), Vol 2, p.264, as cited in Mitchell, "A Short History of Anguilla's Parliament."
6. Mitchell, "A Short History of Anguilla's Parliament."
7. Ibid. The Anguilla Act was passed as Act No 198 by the St. Kitts Legislative Assembly.
8. UK Parliament, Hansard, Commons Chamber, July 28, 1967, Volume 751, "St Kitts, Nevis And Anguilla" debate.
9. Ibid. The debate records concerns raised by Sir John Rodgers and other parliamentarians about the deteriorating situation.
10. Mitchell, "A Short History of Anguilla's Parliament."
11. Ibid. Professor Fisher's involvement grew out of his connection with Professor Leopold Kohr.
12. Ibid. Five of Ronald Webster's candidates stood unopposed and were declared elected councillors.
13. Ibid. The Holcombe Constitution provided for a President, Vice President, and nine-member Assembly.
14. Ibid. Mitchell notes that British paratroopers brought the Revolution to an end on March 19, 1969.
15. Ibid. The Anguilla Act 1971, (1971 c. 63) and The Anguilla (Administration) Order, 1971, SI 1971 No 1235.
16. Ibid. Mitchell describes this period as marked by disputes between the Anguilla Council and British Commissioners.
17. Ibid. The 1976 Constitution established laws made "with the advice and consent of the Assembly."
18. Ibid. Mitchell describes this as the first "proper" law made by a legislative assembly.
19. Ibid. The Anguilla Constitution Order 1982, SI 1982 No 334, established the current framework.
20. Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, "Anguilla House of Assembly" profile, accessed 2025.
21. Ibid. The CPA has provided technical assistance programs and democratic benchmarks assessment.
22. Ibid. Details of recent constitutional and parliamentary reforms undertaken with CPA support.