Political status and decolonisation
Per the catalogue's instruction not to assume a current independence campaign, this bundle documents Anguilla's 1967-1980 separation from Saint Kitts, including the short-lived, internationally unrecognised Republic of Anguilla and the 1969 British Operation Sheepskin intervention. Throughout, Anguillans sought separation from St Kitts while explicitly wishing to remain linked to Britain, not independent statehood; Anguilla remains a British Overseas Territory today, and no current independence campaign is documented in the sources reviewed.
On 11 July 1967, Anguilla held a referendum on secession from the associated state of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla, recording 1,813 votes for secession against 5, following Anguillan objection to continued political subservience to Saint Kitts.[1] In February 1969, a further referendum recorded 1,739 votes in favour of a Republic of Anguilla against 4, with Ronald Webster declared president; this republic was never internationally recognised, and on 19 March 1969 British forces ended it in the bloodless "Operation Sheepskin" without restoring St Kitts rule, reflecting that Anguillans wished to remain linked to Britain, not to become independent.[2] Anguilla was formally separated from Saint Kitts-Nevis on 19 December 1980, becoming a distinct British dependency; no current independence campaign from the United Kingdom is documented in the sources reviewed.[3]
Status verified as of
Anguilla remains a British Overseas Territory, formally separated from Saint Kitts-Nevis since 1980. No current independence campaign from the United Kingdom is documented in the sources reviewed; the historical separation question, unlike Nevis's later constitutional secession attempts, was fully and lastingly resolved.[3]
History
From the 1967 secession referendum to the 1980 formal separation from Saint Kitts-Nevis.
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· Referendum or popular consultation
Anguillans voted overwhelmingly to secede from the associated state including Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Significance here: The decisive democratic expression of Anguillan rejection of continued rule from St Kitts.
· Administrative change
Anguilla was formally separated from Saint Kitts-Nevis, becoming a distinct British dependency.
Significance here: The formal, lasting resolution of the Anguillan separation question.
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
Claim: On 11 July 1967, Anguilla held a referendum on secession from the associated state of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla (granted associated-state status by Britain on 27 February 1967), following Anguillan objection to continued political subservience to Saint Kitts and the 30 May 1967 eviction of Saint Kitts police from the island; the referendum recorded 1,813 votes for secession against 5.
Claim: In February 1969, a further Anguillan referendum recorded 1,739 votes in favour of a Republic of Anguilla against 4, and Ronald Webster was declared its president; this republic was never internationally recognised. On 19 March 1969, British forces landed in the bloodless "Operation Sheepskin," ending the republic without a shot fired and without restoring Anguilla to St Kitts rule, reflecting that Anguillans sought separation from St Kitts while wishing to remain linked to Britain, not independent statehood.
Claim: Anguilla was formally separated from Saint Kitts-Nevis on 19 December 1980, becoming a distinct British dependency (today a British Overseas Territory); no current independence campaign from the United Kingdom is documented in the sources reviewed.