[2] Simmonds was a founding member of the People's Action Movement (PAM) party.

He was the Premier of Saint Kitts and Nevis from 21 February 1980,[3] until the twin-island state gained independence from the United Kingdom on 19 September 1983.

Upon independence, he became the 1st Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis and as such has been described as "The Father of the Nation.

[4] He had three deputy prime ministers: Michael Oliver Powell 1980-1992, Sydney Earl Morris[5] 1992-1994 and Hugh Heyliger 1994-1995.

[8] Simmonds published an autobiography in 2019 entitled The Making of a National Hero.