These discussions follow on from the Report of the Constitutional and Electoral Reform Commission, which was established by the then Governor in January 2006 and reported to the present Governor in August 2006. The review of Anguilla’s Constitution is part of a process being undertaken with a number of the United Kingdom’s Overseas Territories. There have been a series of public meetings in the lead up to this first round of talks to enable people to voice their views on the changes proposed. It is likely that more than one round of discussions will be needed before final agreement is reached on a modern constitution that is acceptable to both the people of Anguilla and the UK.

Anguilla, the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, is an internally self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The territory's existing constitution is defined by the Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982 (amended 1990). A chief minister is appointed by the governor (nominated by the Queen) from among the members of the House of Assembly. The cabinet of ministers, the Executive Council, is appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly.

The United Nations Committee on Decolonization includes Anguilla on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.