Ronald Webster

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Chief Minister of Anguilla
In office
1 May 1980 – 12 March 1984
MonarchElizabeth II
GovernorCharles Harry Godden
Alastair Turner Baillie
Preceded byEmile Gumbs
Succeeded byEmile Gumbs
In office
10 February 1976 – 1 February 1977
MonarchElizabeth II
Succeeded byEmile Gumbs
Personal details
Born
James Ronald Webster

(1926-03-02)2 March 1926
Anguilla United Party
(1977–1981)
Anguilla National Alliance

(1981–)

James Ronald Webster[1] (2 March 1926 – 9 December 2016) was a politician from

Chief Minister
from 10 February 1976 to 1 February 1977 and again from May 1980 to 12 March 1984.

Early life and career

Webster was one of 8 children to survive infancy, out a family total of 16 children. He worked in a dairy farm-factory on Saint Martin for 27 years. The owner and wife treated him as a son and left Webster with their entire estate, a small fortune. Webster returned to Anguilla in 1960 to find the island without electricity, paved streets or telephones.[3]

Prior to serving as Chief Minister, Webster was designated Chairman of the Anguilla Island Council when the territory declared its independence from the Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla government in 1967, through the Anguillan Revolution which he led.[4][5] Anguillans forced the Saint Kitts officials and police off of the island, due to alleged mistreatment of the public and governmental misuse of funds (as an example, Anguilla received financial assistance from Canada to build a pier on the island; the money was sent to the central government on Saint Kitts, and a pier was built - on Saint Kitts).[citation needed]

In

voted again to remain separate from Saint Kitts and Nevis and to become an "independent republic
" with Webster leading the council.

British Junior Minister William Whitlock from the United Kingdom arrived in March 1969 to establish another "interim agreement", and was expelled within hours of arrival. Eight days later 315 British paratroopers and two frigates arrived to "restore order". Tony Lee was installed as a Commissioner for local administration.[6] Webster left the island.

Leadership

An interim agreement in 1971 was followed by a new constitution in 1976 with Webster becoming the first Chief Minister after his

Anguilla United Party also lost in 1989 election.[7]

Later life

He wrote his "Farewell Letter" which is a motivating story of his life and times. This letter was read at his grave by his wife. English and translated version (Hindi) was published in the most read newspaper of Anguilla, The Anguillian.[8]

Webster's birthday, 2 March, has been celebrated as a public holiday in Anguilla since its proclamation in 2010.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "March 2, Public Holiday in Honour of Hon J. Ronald Webster". Anguilla News. 2 March 2010. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  2. ^ Regional Surveys of the World: South American, Central America and the Caribbean, 10th Ed. London: Europa, 2001. 53.
  3. .
  4. ^ Naylor, R.T. Hot Money and the Politics of Debt. McGill-Queen's University Press, 2004. 43.
  5. .
  6. ^ "It was 30 years ago today". Times Higher Education. 7 January 2000. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  7. ^ ". . . IF HE IS IN HIS COFFIN – The Anguillian Newspaper – The Weekly Independent Paper of Anguilla".
  8. ^ Revolutionary Leader, the late Mr. James Ronald Webster's Farewell Letter: First Translation into Hindi by Sandeep Sharma
Political offices
Preceded by
(–)
Chief Minister of Anguilla

1976–1977
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Chief Minister of Anguilla

1980–1984
Succeeded by