Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands is the political leader and head of government. The post of premier is the equivalent to chief minister or prime minister in other British Overseas Territories. It is the highest political level that can be attained within the British colonial system. Prior to 2006, the position was known as the Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Incumbent
Washington Misick
since 20 February 2021
Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Cabinet of the Turks and Caicos Islands
StyleThe Honourable
Member of
NominatorPolitical parties
AppointerGovernor of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Term lengthAt the governor's pleasure
Formation31 August 1976
First holderJames Alexander George Smith McCartney
as Chief Minister
DeputyDeputy Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands (Jamell Robinson)[1]

The premier and Cabinet (consisting of all the most senior ministers) are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to King Charles III, to the House of Assembly, to their political party and ultimately to the electorate.

The current premier is Charles Washington Misick, since 20 February 2021.

Constitutional background edit

A new constitution, after being laid in the Turks and Caicos parliament and receiving Queen Elizabeth II's signature, entered into force on 9 August 2006. The new constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands changed the title of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to Premier and Deputy Premier.

On 14 August 2009, the United Kingdom suspended the Turks and Caicos' self-government after allegations of ministerial corruption. The prerogative of the ministerial government and the House of Assembly are vested in the islands' incumbent governor for a period of up to two years, with possible extensions.[2]

List edit

(Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)

  PDM   PNP
No.PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Term of officePolitical partyElectedNotes
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
Chief Ministers (1976–2006)
1 James Alexander George Smith McCartney
(1945–1980)
31 August 19769 May 19803 years, 191 daysPeople's Democratic Movement1976Died in office
2 Oswald Skippings
(born 1953)
19 June 1980November 19804 monthsPeople's Democratic MovementFirst tenure
3 Norman Saunders
(born 1943)
November 198028 March 19854 years, 4 monthsProgressive National Party1980
1984
4 Nathaniel Francis
(1912–2004)
28 March 198525 July 19861 year, 119 daysProgressive National Party
Office suspended (25 July 1986 – 3 March 1988)
(2) Oswald Skippings
(born 1953)
3 March 1988April 19913 yearsPeople's Democratic Movement1988Second tenure
5 Washington Misick
(born 1950)
April 199131 January 19953 years, 9 monthsProgressive National Party1991First tenure
6 Derek Hugh Taylor
(born 1951)
31 January 199515 August 20038 years, 196 daysPeople's Democratic Movement1995
1999
7 Michael Misick
(born 1966)
15 August 20039 August 20062 years, 359 daysProgressive National Party2003Brother of Washington Misick
Premiers (2009–present)
1 Michael Misick
(born 1966)
9 August 200623 March 20092 years, 226 daysProgressive National Party2007
2 Galmo Williams
(born 1966)
23 March 200914 August 2009144 daysProgressive National Party
Office suspended (14 August 2009 – 13 November 2012)
3 Rufus Ewing
(born 1968)
13 November 201220 December 20164 years, 37 daysProgressive National Party2012
4 Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson
(born 1971)
20 December 201620 February 20214 years, 62 daysPeople's Democratic Movement2016
5 Washington Misick
(born 1950)
20 February 2021Incumbent3 years, 103 daysProgressive National Party2021Second tenure

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ https://www.gov.tc/premier/deputy
  2. ^ Edward Helmore (14 August 2009). "Britain seizes control of scandal-hit dependency". The Independent. London. Retrieved 14 August 2009.

Further reading edit