Politics of Montserrat

Politics of Montserrat takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic dependency, whereby the Premier is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Montserrat is an internally self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The United Nations Committee on Decolonization includes Montserrat on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Legislative Assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Military defence is the responsibility of the United Kingdom.

Executive branch

Main office holders
Office Name Party Since
Queen Elizabeth II 6 February 1952
Governor Andrew Pearce 1 February 2018
Premier Easton Taylor-Farrell MCAP 19 November 2019

The Governor is appointed by the Monarch. The Premier is appointed by the Governor from among the members of the Legislative Assembly.

His cabinet is appointed by the Governor from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly and consists also of the Attorney General, and the Finance Secretary.

The current Premier of the island is Easton Taylor-Farrell, of the Movement for Change and Prosperity, replacing the outgoing Premier, Donaldson Romeo of the People's Democratic Movement, who was the second Premier of Montserrat.

Legislative branch

Montserrat elects on territorial level a legislature. The Legislative Assembly has 9 members, elected for a five-year term in one constituency.

Political parties and elections

Political parties do not adhere to a single defined ideology and are difficult to distinguish from each other. Instead, policy emphasis shifts depending on the popular approval of the party leader and their policies.[1]

Most recent election

Party Votes % Seats +/–
Movement for Change and Prosperity8,51142.75+3
People's Democratic Movement5,96929.93–4
Montserrat United Labour Party1,2276.20New
Montserrat National Congress8284.20New
Independents3,41417.11+1
Ex officio members20
Total 19,949100110
Valid ballots2,40399.6
Invalid/blank ballots90.4
Total votes cast2,412100
Registered voters/turnout3,85862.5
Source: Caribbean Elections

Judicial branch

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consists of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal.

Administrative divisions

Montserrat is divided in 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, and Saint Peter.

International organization participation

CARICOM, Caribbean Development Bank, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, WCL

References

  1. Cawley, Charles (4 September 2015). Colonies in Conflict: The History of the British Overseas Territories. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 245. ISBN 9781443881289. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
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