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Caribbean Islands Government and Politics
The Governmental System
In the late 1980s, both territories were still British crown
colonies. Each had a British governor and a ministerial form of
government consisting of an Executive Council (cabinet) and a
Legislative Assembly (in the Cayman Islands) or a Legislative
Council (in the Turks and Caicos Islands).
Under the Caymans' Constitution, the British governor is
responsible for defense and internal security, external affairs,
and public service. On all other matters, the governor must either
accept the recommendations of the Executive Council or receive
approval for his veto from the British secretary of state for
foreign and Commonwealth affairs. The Executive Council, which is
responsible for the daily administration of the affairs in the
Caymans, consists of the financial secretary, the attorney general,
the administrative secretary (all appointed by the governor), and
four other members elected by the Legislative Assembly from their
own number. The governor presides as chairman of the Executive
Council. The unicameral Legislative Assembly, consisting of twelve
elected members and three ex officio members appointed by the
governor, is entrusted with making laws.
The governmental system in the Turks and Caicos was similar.
Under the August 1976 Constitution, the governor retains
responsibility for external affairs, internal security, defense,
and certain other matters. The Executive Council consists of three
ex officio members appointed by the governor--the financial
secretary, the chief secretary, and the attorney general--as well
as a chief minister elected by the Legislative Council and three
other ministers appointed by the governor from the elected members
of the Legislative Council. The governor presides over the
Executive Council. The bicameral Legislative Council consists of a
speaker, the three ex officio members of the Executive Council, and
eleven members elected by residents age eighteen and over.
Data as of November 1987
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