National Assembly (Saint Kitts and Nevis)

The National Assembly is the unicameral legislative assembly that, together with the Queen of Saint Christopher and Nevis, forms the Parliament of Saint Kitts and Nevis.[1]

National Assembly
8th National Assembly
Type
Type
Leadership
Elizabeth II
since 1983
Speaker
Anthony Michael Perkins
since June 2016
Structure
Seats15
National Assembly political groups
Her Majesty's Government
  •   PAM (4)
  •   CCM (3)
  •   PLP (2)

HM Loyal Opposition

Other Members of the National Assembly

Elections
National Assembly voting system
First Past the Post
National Assembly last election
5 June 2020
National Assembly next election
2025
Website
www.parliament.gov.kn
Saint Kitts and Nevis
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Saint Kitts and Nevis
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Legislative
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Administrative divisions (parishes)
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Nevis

Composition of the National Assembly

The assembly has 14 or 15 members (depending upon circumstances), 11 of whom are elected for a five-year term in single-seat constituencies and are known as Representatives. The remaining four are called Senators; three are appointed by the governor-general and the fourth is the attorney-general (i.e. an ex officio member).

The 1983 constitution mandates at least three senators, or four if the attorney-general is not one of these three appointed senators. The number can be increased by the parliament as long as it doesn't exceed two thirds of the number of representatives. Except for the attorney-general, the senators are appointed by the governor-general, acting on the advice of the prime minister in two of the appointments and the leader of the opposition for the third one.

Legislative authority

Parliament is empowered by the 1983 constitution to make laws for the Peace, order, and good government of the federation, excepting those areas in the exclusive competence of the Nevis Island Legislature.[2] Following passage by the National Assembly, Royal Assent is required to be given by the Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis.[3]

Amendments to the constitution require a two-thirds supermajority in the Assembly.[4]

Latest election
Main article: 2020 Saint Kitts and Nevis general election
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party10,31637.092–1
People's Action Movement8,06729.0040
People's Labour Party3,68113.232+1
Concerned Citizens' Movement3,51012.623+1
Nevis Reformation Party2,2328.020–1
Independents110.0400
Appointed members40
Total27,817100.00150
Valid votes27,81799.48
Invalid/blank votes1460.52
Total votes27,963100.00
Registered voters/turnout48,07658.16
Source: Winn FM

Speaker of the National Assembly

The Assembly has a speaker and deputy speaker elected by the members of the parliament during its first meeting following a general election. They do not have to be members of it; but if they are then they cannot also be in the cabinet or parliamentary secretaries.

The current speaker of the National Assembly of Saint Kitts and Nevis is Anthony Michael Perkins, who has been in office since June 2016. He succeeded Franklin Brand.

Previous speakers

Speakers of the Legislative Council of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla

Name Entered office Left office Notes
Hon. Henry Anthony Camillo Howard 1960 1962 [5]
Hon. Milton Allen 1962 1971 [6][5]
Hon. William Florian Glasford 1971 August 1978 [7]
Hon. Ada Mae Edwards 1978 1980 [8]
Hon. Herman W. Liburd 1980 1983

Speakers of the National Assembly of St Kitts and Nevis

Name Entered office Left office Notes
Hon. Ivan Buchanan 1983 1985 [9]
Hon. Ivan Buchanan 1985 1995 [10]
Hon. Walford Gumbs 1996 2004 [10]
Hon. Marcella Liburd December 2004 2008 [10]
Hon. Curtis Martin 18 April 2008 16 January 2015 [10]
Hon. Franklin Brand May 2015 June 2016
Hon. Anthony Michael Perkins June 2016 present [11][12]

See also

References
  1. s. 25, Constitution of Saint Christopher and Nevis (1983)
  2. s. 37, Constitution of Saint Christopher and Nevis (1983)
  3. s.42, 1983 constitution
  4. s.38, 1983 constitution
  5. "Historic St. Kitts - Sir Milton Allen". www.historicstkitts.kn.
  6. The Parliamentarian: Journal of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth. 43. 18 March 1962.
  7. "Historic St. Kitts - William Florian Glasford". www.historicstkitts.kn.
  8. "Historic St. Kitts - Ada Mae Edwards". www.historicstkitts.kn.
  9. Caribbean dateline. 4–7. A. Day. 1983.
  10. "SKNVibes - Franklin Brand nominated for Speaker of National Assembly". www.sknvibes.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  11. "Hon. Anthony Michael Perkins Elected Speaker Of National Assembly". thestkittsnevisobserver.com. 30 June 2016.
  12. https://www.winnfm.com/news/local/17540-michael-perkins-for-speaker-new-senator-to-be-appointed
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