The name of Joshua Hodge and the Open Book he displayed as his symbol, will not appear on the ballot papers in the District 1 constituency at Island Harbour for the February 15 General Election after all.

Mr. Sam Webster

Mr. Hodge, who did not attend the special service for political candidates on the evening of Thursday, January 14, at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, held a public meeting at Island Harbour instead, where he announced his withdrawal from the race. The former independent candidate told his listeners that he had taken the decision to turn over his support to the Anguilla United Movement candidate, Sam Webster, whom he endorsed.

“In my commitment to unseat the Front Government and to advance the good of all Anguillians, I am relinquishing my candidacy in support of Samuel Webster,” he told the crowd. “I want you to understand, please, it is not that I am sick. I am not sick. It is not that I did not think that I have support, because I know I have a lot of support; but it does not make sense for two opposing candidates or [in] opposition to run in this district. And so I have decided to step down and support Mr. Samuel Webster.”

He added: “It is not in Othlyn Vanterpool (I love him), it is not in Terry Harrigan, it is not in Pam Webster, it is not in Kennedy Hodge, but the man to defeat the Front is Mr. Samuel Webster.”
Stepping up to the microphone, Sam Webster responded in part as follows: “It is such an honour and a privilege to be endorsed by a noble man, Mr. Joshua Hodge, a man with such integrity…Ladies and gentlemen, my heart filled with joy when Joshua announced by name tonight. The main purpose is to defeat the Anguilla United Front.”

Mr. Joshua Hodge

Mr. Webster continued: “May the help of Joshua and his committee, with God as our leader, we shall bring it home in 2010, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the Anguilla United Movement and myself, it is a great honour to be endorsed by such a noble gentlemen. Thank you, Mr. Hodge.”

Mr. Hodge stood all the way as a candidate for the previous General Election, five years ago, when Davis Smith dropped out, allowing him to continue vying for the Island Harbour seat which was won by the then incumbent, Kenneth Harrigan.
With Joshua’s withdrawal this time, there are now five candidates remainng. They are, as already indicated by him, Sam Webster of the Anguilla United Movement, Othlyn Vanterpool of the Anguilla United Front, Pam Webster of the Anguilla Progressive Party, Terry Harrigan and Kennedy Hodge, Independents.

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