The Premier of Anguilla is the head of government in the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla. The Premier is appointed by the Governor of Anguilla on behalf of the monarch of the United Kingdom, and is usually the member of the House of Assembly who commands majority support. The office was previously known as Chief Minister of Anguilla till 2019.
Ronald Webster was the inaugural holder of the position in 1976. Victor Banks was the chief minister when the name change happened in 2019, and was officially the first premier of the territory. Cora Richardson-Hodge is the incumbent since February 2025.
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Overview and appointment
The Premier is the head of government in Anguilla, a self-governing British Overseas Territory. The Premier is appointed by the Governor of Anguilla on behalf of the monarch of the United Kingdom. The House of Assembly has 11 seats with seven members elected through direct voting from single-seat constituencies, two nominated members appointed by the governor, attorney general, and deputy governor. The Premier is usually the member of the House of Assembly whose party or coalition commands a simple majority.
Historical development
In 1976, Anguilla adopted a new constitution that introduced a ministerial system of government for the first time. It created the office of Chief Minister, who led an Executive Council and the establishment of the Legislative Assembly. After the 1976 Anguillian general election, Ronald Webster became the first chief minister. Emile Gumbs took over as chief minister in 1977 before Webster returned to power in 1980.
The Anguilla Act 1980 officially separated Anguilla from St Kitts and Nevis, and a constitutional amendment was enacted in 1982, which created the office of the Governor of Anguilla, and renamed the Legislative Assembly as the House of Assembly, while the Governor retained significant powers. Gumbs returned as the Chief Minister in 1984, and served for more than a decade, before Hubert Hughes took over in 1994. Hughes was succeeded by Osbourne Fleming in 2000, who was re-elected for a second term after the 2005 Anguillian general election.
Victor Banks took over as the Chief Minister in April 2015. The Anguilla Constitution (Amendment) Order 2019, which took effect on 14 May 2019, renamed the position of the Chief Minister as Premier. Banks became the first person to officially hold office as the Premier on 14 May 2019. Ellis Webster succeeded him in 2019. In February 2025, Cora Richardson-Hodge became the first female to be appointed Premier of Anguilla.
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