Minister of Health, Tourism and Sport, the Honourable Cardigan Connor embodies a rare political profile: that of an internationally renowned athlete turned public servant. Deeply rooted in his island homeland, and with a successful sporting career on the world stage to his credit, he now embraces a bold, human-centered vision of government. In this exclusive interview, we show how his background, values and ambition come together to help shape the future of Anguilla and the Caribbean.
Cricket pitches at the Council of Ministers
Born and raised in Anguilla, Cardigan Connor left the island as a teenager to pursue his studies in the UK. On the cricket pitches of Hampshire County. He built a remarkable career that spanned more than a decade, with seasons also played in Australia. And yet, even at the height of his sporting success, the link with his island never broke.
In 1991, he returned to Anguilla during the off-season to coach young players and promote cricket in local schools. This duty of transmission has never left him. In 2015, he entered politics and now heads three strategic ministries. Its mission: to make Anguilla a model of sustainable, inclusive and resolutely Caribbean development.
Tourism that belongs to the locals
For Minister Cardigan Connor, tourism isn’t just about luxury villas and five-star hotels: it’s also about identity, community and ownership.
“Our greatest wealth is not beaches or hotels. It’s the people”, he insists.
He advocates a tourism economy in which Anguillais are creators, not just employees. At the heart of this approach jollification – deeply-rooted tradition of collective work and celebration – becomes, he believes, a model for designing authentic, shared experiences. He also makes sports tourism an essential pillar of growth, especially during the low season (May to November), drawing on the island’s strengths in cricket, tennis, boat racing and golf.
Golf, in particular, has a potential that is still under-exploited. Anguilla is home to a world-class course designed by Greg Norman: an asset that Minister Cardigan Connor wants to mobilize not only to attract a high-end clientele, but also to democratize access to the sport among local youth. “If golf is a way of life for many of our visitors, it must also represent an opportunity for our population”, he explains. In October, the island will host a major regional tournament bringing together players from all over the Eastern Caribbean. For the Minister, it’s not just about competition: it’s about inclusion, visibility and long-term development.
Festivals such as Del Mar, Moon Splash and the Anguilla Summer Festival are also being upgraded, not only to attract visitors, but to strengthen cultural pride and intergenerational ties. For Minister Cardigan Connor, these events are more than attractions: they are affirmations of identity.
A self-confident, connected Caribbean
The Honourable Minister Cardigan Connor speaks with clarity and determination when he talks about regional cooperation.
For him, building a stronger Caribbean means making inter-island travel simpler and cheaper, reducing excessive taxes and encouraging public-private partnerships that transcend language barriers.
“Geography, history, blood: we already share so much. It’s time to turn this into a policy and a source of opportunities”, he says.
In this spirit, it supports the extension of maritime links between Anguilla and Saint-Martin, encourages inter-island hotel collaboration and advocates greater integration through organizations such as the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). His government is also investing in airport modernization and the opening of new air routes to improve connectivity.
Towards sovereignty and controlled growth
As a British overseas territory, Anguilla straddles the line between autonomy and dependence. Minister Cardigan Connor speaks frankly about the challenges and responsibilities of this status. He advocates pragmatic governance: measured tax reforms, public investment, and strategic use of new sources of revenue, such as AI domain registration.
Faced with the rising cost of living, he insists on the need for human-centered policies. Recent adjustments to the General Sales Tax (GST) are designed to ease the pressure on households and businesses alike.
“We want every Anguillais to feel they have a place in this economy – not just survive in it”, he stresses.
Leading with integrity, rooted in the community
Cardigan Connor is not a politician who speaks from afar. He leads with the quiet confidence of someone who knows his people, because he has lived their realities. His leadership is based on proximity, discipline and a deep sense of heritage.
Anguilla, he says, is a “home away from home” for those who visit – and proof that a small island can become an example when its people are empowered, its culture valued and its vision shared.
FAQ
Cardigan Connor is a former top-level cricketer, trained in the UK and having competed professionally in England and Australia. Deeply attached to Anguilla, he has always maintained a strong link with his island through his involvement in youth training. He entered politics in 2015 and is now Minister of Health, Tourism and Sport.
His vision is based on tourism rooted in the local population. He advocates a model where Anguillais are actors and creators of value, through culture, festivals, sport and traditions such as jollification. Sports tourism, notably cricket and golf, is also at the heart of his strategy to strengthen the year-round economy.
Cardigan Connor advocates a more connected Caribbean, with easier inter-island travel, stronger regional partnerships and greater economic integration. He supports investment in infrastructure, cooperation through regional bodies, and controlled growth focused on people and economic sovereignty.
