Anguilla
North America · Latin America and the Caribbean · Americas
AI · AIA
- Capital
- The Valley
- Population
- 16,010
- Area
- 91 km²
- Democracy index
- 89
- Regime type
- Robust Democracy
North America · Latin America and the Caribbean · Americas
AI · AIA
Events
The latest elections, referendums, and opinion polls from Anguilla. Community totals are not official results.
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Classification
The score and regime label are assigned by Porto Voto using our in-house democracy index and classification framework, not ratings from governments or external agencies.
Democracy index
89/100
Regime type
Robust Democracy
Anguilla operates as a highly stable and transparent parliamentary democracy within its framework as a British Overseas Territory. The political system is characterized by vigorous multi party competition, as evidenced by the 2025 general elections which saw a peaceful transition of power to the Anguilla United Front under Premier Cora Richardson-Hodge. Institutional integrity remains high, with the House of Assembly serving as a functional venue for legislative debate and oversight of the executive. While the Governor, appointed by the British Crown, retains responsibility for external affairs, internal security, and offshore finance, these powers are exercised in a predictable manner that respects constitutional boundaries and local autonomy. Civil liberties, including the freedoms of assembly and expression, are robustly protected, and the media environment remains open and pluralistic. The judiciary is independent and follows the Eastern Caribbean legal tradition, ensuring a strong rule of law. Some minor constraints on the index score stem from the non-sovereign status of the territory and the presence of ex officio members in the legislature, yet the domestic governance model remains a standard for democratic accountability and political stability in the region.
Last evaluation:
How we classify regimes →World Factbook
A concise introduction to Anguilla, together with notes on how power and law are organized, to put local ballots in context.
English settlers from Saint Kitts first colonized Anguilla in 1650. Great Britain administered the island until the early 19th century, when -- against the wishes of the inhabitants -- Anguilla was incorporated into a single British dependency along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed.
In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, when Anguilla became a separate British dependency. In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused extensive damage on the island, particularly to communications and residential and business infrastructure.