Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands
| Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands | |
|---|---|
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| Style | The Honourable |
| Appointer | Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands |
| Term length | At the Governor's pleasure |
| Formation | 31 August 1976 |
| First holder | as Chief Minister |
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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government 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.
The Premier and Cabinet (consisting of all the most senior ministers) are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to Queen Elizabeth II, to the House of Assembly, to their political party and ultimately to the electorate.
The current Premier is Rufus Ewing, since 13 November 2012.
Constitutional background
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.
List
(Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)
| № | Name (Birth–Death) |
Tenure | Political Affiliation | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took Office | Left Office | |||||
| Chief Ministers (1976–2006) | ||||||
| 1 | James Alexander George Smith McCartney (1945–1980) |
31 August 1976 | 9 May 1980 | People's Democratic Movement | Died in office | |
| 2 | Oswald Skippings (1953–) |
19 June 1980 | November 1980 | People's Democratic Movement | First tenure | |
| 3 | Norman Saunders (1943–) |
November 1980 | 28 March 1985 | Progressive National Party | ||
| 4 | Nathaniel Francis (1912–2004) |
28 March 1985 | 25 July 1986 | Progressive National Party | ||
| Office suspended (25 July 1986 – 3 March 1988) | ||||||
| (2) | Oswald Skippings (1953–) |
3 March 1988 | April 1991 | People's Democratic Movement | Second tenure | |
| 5 | Washington Misick (1950–) |
April 1991 | 31 January 1995 | Progressive National Party | ||
| 6 | Derek Hugh Taylor (1951–) |
31 January 1995 | 15 August 2003 | People's Democratic Movement | ||
| 7 | Michael Misick (1966–) |
15 August 2003 | 9 August 2006 | Progressive National Party | Brother of Washington Misick | |
| Premiers (2009–present) | ||||||
| 1 | Michael Misick (1966–) |
9 August 2006 | 23 March 2009 | Progressive National Party | ||
| 2 | Galmo Williams (1966–) |
23 March 2009 | 14 August 2009 | Progressive National Party | ||
| Office suspended (14 August 2009 – 13 November 2012) | ||||||
| 3 | Rufus Ewing (1968–) |
13 November 2012 | Incumbent | Progressive National Party | ||
See also
References
Further reading
Heads of government of the Turks and Caicos Islands | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chief Ministers (1976–2006) |  | |
| Premiers (2006–present) | ||