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Caribbean Islands Government and Politics
The Governmental System
In the late 1980s, all three territories remained British
dependencies. British officials were responsible for defense and
foreign relations, and local elected officials were responsible for
most internal affairs except security. As mentioned, the British
Virgin Islands and Montserrat were crown colonies, and Anguilla was
an associated state. Because of their links to Britain, all three
territories were part of the Commonwealth of Nations (see Appendix
B).
A new constitution was introduced in the British Virgin Islands
in April 1967. An amended Constitution took effect on June 1, 1977,
giving local citizens more extensive self-government. Under its
terms, the British-appointed governor is responsible for defense
and internal security, external affairs, terms and conditions of
service of public officers, and administration of the courts. The
governor also possesses reserved legislative powers over matters
affecting his or her special responsibilities. There is an
Executive Council, with the governor as chairman, one ex officio
member (the attorney general), a chief minister (the leader of the
elected members of the Legislative Council) who has responsibility
for finance, and three other ministers (appointed by the governor
on the advice of the chief minister). The Executive Council makes
administrative decisions and oversees public agencies. Finally,
there is a Legislative Council, consisting of a speaker (chosen
from outside the council), one ex officio member (the attorney
general), and nine members elected from single-member districts.
The Legislative Council makes laws and ordinances. The voting age
is eighteen. Elections are held at least once every five years.
Anguilla is administered under the Anguilla Constitution Order
of 1982 and the Constitution, which took effect on April 1, 1982.
Government arrangements are similar to those in the British Virgin
Islands. The British monarch is represented locally by a governor,
who presides over the Executive Council and the House of Assembly.
The governor is responsible for defense, external affairs, internal
security (including the police), the public service, the judiciary,
and the audit. On matters of internal security (including the
police), the public service, and the appointment of an acting
governor, however, the governor is required to consult the chief
minister before making major decisions. The Executive Council
consists of the chief minister and not more than three other
ministers (appointed by the governor from the elected members of
the House of Assembly) and two ex officio members (the attorney
general and the permanent secretary for finance). The House of
Assembly is elected for five years by universal adult suffrage and
consists of seven elected members, two ex officio members (the
attorney general and the permanent secretary for finance), and two
other members who are nominated by the governor after consultation
with the chief minister. There is provision for a speaker.
Montserrat's Constitution took effect on January 1, 1960. The
territory is governed by a British-appointed governor and has its
own Executive Council and Legislative Council. As in the other two
territories, the governor is responsible for defense, external
affairs, and internal security. The Executive Council consists of
the governor as president, the chief minister and three other
ministers, the attorney general, and the secretary for finance. The
Legislative Council consists of a speaker chosen outside the
council, seven elected members, two official members, and two
appointed members.
The Eastern Caribbean States Supreme Court is the principal
judicial body for all three territories. Appeals can be made to the
Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.
Data as of November 1987
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