Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands

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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 (Erwin Jay Saunders)

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 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.[1]

List[edit]

(Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)

  PDM   PNP
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Political party Elected Notes
Took office Left office Time in office
Chief Ministers (1976–2006)
1 James Alexander George Smith McCartney
(1945–1980)
31 August 1976 9 May 1980 3 years, 191 days People's Democratic Movement 1976 Died in office
2 Oswald Skippings
(born 1953)
19 June 1980 November 1980 4 months People's Democratic Movement First tenure
3 Norman Saunders
(born 1943)
November 1980 28 March 1985 4 years, 4 months Progressive National Party 1980
1984
4 Nathaniel Francis
(1912–2004)
28 March 1985 25 July 1986 1 year, 119 days Progressive National Party
Office suspended (25 July 1986 – 3 March 1988)
(2) Oswald Skippings
(born 1953)
3 March 1988 April 1991 3 years People's Democratic Movement 1988 Second tenure
5 Washington Misick 2013 Washington Misick
(born 1950)
April 1991 31 January 1995 3 years, 9 months Progressive National Party 1991 First tenure
6 Derek Hugh Taylor
(born 1951)
31 January 1995 15 August 2003 8 years, 196 days People's Democratic Movement 1995
1999
7 Michael Misick 2008 (cropped) Michael Misick
(born 1966)
15 August 2003 9 August 2006 2 years, 359 days Progressive National Party 2003 Brother of Washington Misick
Premiers (2009–present)
1 Michael Misick 2008 (cropped) Michael Misick
(born 1966)
9 August 2006 23 March 2009 2 years, 226 days Progressive National Party 2007
2 Galmo Williams
(born 1966)
23 March 2009 14 August 2009 144 days Progressive National Party
Office suspended (14 August 2009 – 13 November 2012)
3 Rufus Ewing
(born 1968)
13 November 2012 20 December 2016 4 years, 37 days Progressive National Party 2012
4 Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson
(born 1971)
20 December 2016 20 February 2021 4 years, 62 days People's Democratic Movement 2016
5 Washington Misick
(born 1950)
20 February 2021 Incumbent 3 years, 37 days Progressive National Party 2021 Second tenure

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Edward Helmore (14 August 2009). "Britain seizes control of scandal-hit dependency". The Independent. London. Retrieved 14 August 2009.

Further reading[edit]