The Legislative Assembly consists of eight elected members, three ex officio members (the Chief Executive, the Director of Finance and the Attorney General), and the Speaker. Although they take part in proceedings, the ex officio members do not have the right to vote in the Legislative Assembly. The Commander British Forces also has the right to take part in the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, though again they may not vote.
Meetings of the Legislative Assembly are normally held in the Court and Assembly Chamber in Stanley Town Hall and begin at a time appointed by the Governor. The constitution states there must be at least one meeting of the Legislative Assembly every year, although the Assembly normally meets every two to three months. Meetings of the Legislative Assembly are broadcast live on the local radio station, the Falkland Islands Radio Service.
The members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have office facilities at Gilbert House, Stanley.
The constitution gives the Legislative Assembly legislative powers for "the peace, order and good government of the Falkland Islands." Any MLA may introduce a bill or propose any motion for debate. However, the Legislative Assembly is not permitted to propose a bill which makes alterations to the taxes or finances on the Islands, unless given permission to do so by the Governor, as this is the remit of the Director of Finance and the Public Accounts Committee who are elected by the Legislative Assembly and whose proposals are voted on by the Legislative Assembly. Most motions in the Assembly, including bills, are passed by a simple majority of the elected members with the presiding officer having the casting vote.
The presiding officer of the Assembly is the Speaker (or the Deputy Speaker in the Speaker's absence) who is elected by the MLAs. Unlike the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly does not need to be a member of the Assembly. The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are elected for the life of the Legislative Assembly though can be removed via a motion of no confidence voted for by six or more MLAs. During the Speaker election, the Attorney General acts as presiding officer.
The Assembly is governed by a number of standing orders which lay out the regulations for proceedings during Assembly meetings. Also, MLAs are granted parliamentary privilege in the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly. There is also a Clerk of the Legislative Assembly who has a similar role to that of the Clerk of the House of Commons.
Since the 2013 general election MLAs have been paid a salary, rather than just expenses, and are expected to work full-time, giving up whatever jobs or business interests they may have previously held.[1]
Elections
There must be a general election on the Falklands at least once every four years, although there can be an election at any time. As in most Westminster systems, the election campaign officially begins with the dissolution of the legislature. In the Falklands the Governor dissolves the Legislative Assembly by proclamation at the request of the Executive Council. There must be an election within 70 days of the dissolution and the Governor retains the power to recall a dissolved Legislative Assembly before the election, though only in the event of an emergency.
The Falkland Islands are divided into two constituencies, Camp and Stanley. Camp returns three elected members and Stanley returns five elected members using block voting. The Stanley constituency consists of the area within 3.5 mi (5.6 km) of the spire of Christ Church Cathedral, Stanley, while the Camp constituency consists of the rest of the Territory.[2] The Constitution allows for the constituencies and their boundaries to be amended, but such an amendment must be agreed to by two-thirds of the vote in a referendum of the islanders.
Anyone aged eighteen years or over on the date of the election and registered to vote in the Falklands qualifies to be elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly in the constituency where they are registered. The Legislative Assembly is elected through universal suffrage, which in reality means that a person can vote if they are eighteen years or over on the date of the election, have Falkland Islands status be a British citizen and are a resident in the Falkland Islands on the date of the election.
Someone can lose their right to vote if they have been certified insane or of unsound mind under any law, if they are serving a sentence of imprisonment for a term of at least twelve months, if they have been convicted of an offence relating to elections, or if they have any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign Power or State. Regular members of His Majesty's Armed Forces are also not allowed to vote.
If there is any dispute over the election of the Assembly, or the validity of anyone to vote or stand for election, the Supreme Court of the Falkland Islands has the jurisdiction to resolve the dispute.
If an elected member of the Legislative Assembly vacates his or her seat for any reason other than a dissolution of the Assembly, there is a by-election to fill the empty seat. The by-election must be held within 70 days the vacancy occurring, unless the Assembly is due to be dissolved within 126 days.
Under section 42 of the constitution, before entering upon the functions of his or her office, the MLAs must take the oath of allegiance and the oath of office. The wording for the oath of office is specified in Annex B to the Constitution:
"I, name, do swear (or solemnly affirm) that I will well and truly serve His Majesty King Charles the Third, His Heirs and Successors, and the people of the Falkland Islands, and will uphold the Constitution and other laws in force in the Falkland Islands, as a member of the Legislative Assembly. So help me God."
References
^"Falklands lawmakers: 'The full time problem'". MercoPress. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-08.
^Section 6, Electoral Ordinance 1988 (Ordinance No. 21 of 1988), read with the Elections (Boundaries of Constituencies) Regulations 1989 (S.R. & O. No. 11 of 1989).
"Falkland Islands Government Legislative Assembly Website". falklands.gov.fk. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
(PDF). falklands.gov.fk. 1 January 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2009. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
External links
Official website
April 11, 2023
legislative, assembly, falkland, islands, former, legislature, falkland, islands, legislative, council, falkland, islands, unicameral, legislature, british, overseas, territory, falkland, islands, legislative, assembly, replaced, legislative, council, which, e. For the former legislature of the Falkland Islands see Legislative Council of the Falkland Islands The Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands is the unicameral legislature of the British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands The Legislative Assembly replaced the Legislative Council which had existed since 1845 when the new Constitution of the Falklands came into force in 2009 and laid out the composition powers and procedures of the islands legislature Legislative Assembly of theFalkland IslandsThe Office of the Legislative Assembly Gilbert House TypeTypeUnicameralTerm limits4 yearsHistoryFounded1 January 2009 2009 01 01 Preceded byLegislative Council of the Falkland IslandsLeadershipSpeakerKeith Biles Non affiliated StructureSeats12 8 elected 3 non voting ex officio members 1 speaker Political groups Nonpartisan 11 seatsElectionsVoting systemBlock votingLast election4 November 2021Next election2025Meeting placeStanley Town Hall Stanley Falkland IslandsWebsitehttp www fig gov fk assembly The Legislative Assembly consists of eight elected members three ex officio members the Chief Executive the Director of Finance and the Attorney General and the Speaker Although they take part in proceedings the ex officio members do not have the right to vote in the Legislative Assembly The Commander British Forces also has the right to take part in the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly though again they may not vote Contents 1 Powers and role 2 Elections 2 1 By elections 3 Current composition 3 1 Elected members 3 2 Officials 4 Oath or affirmation 5 References 6 External linksPowers and role EditMeetings of the Legislative Assembly are normally held in the Court and Assembly Chamber in Stanley Town Hall and begin at a time appointed by the Governor The constitution states there must be at least one meeting of the Legislative Assembly every year although the Assembly normally meets every two to three months Meetings of the Legislative Assembly are broadcast live on the local radio station the Falkland Islands Radio Service The members of the Legislative Assembly MLAs have office facilities at Gilbert House Stanley The constitution gives the Legislative Assembly legislative powers for the peace order and good government of the Falkland Islands Any MLA may introduce a bill or propose any motion for debate However the Legislative Assembly is not permitted to propose a bill which makes alterations to the taxes or finances on the Islands unless given permission to do so by the Governor as this is the remit of the Director of Finance and the Public Accounts Committee who are elected by the Legislative Assembly and whose proposals are voted on by the Legislative Assembly Most motions in the Assembly including bills are passed by a simple majority of the elected members with the presiding officer having the casting vote The presiding officer of the Assembly is the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker in the Speaker s absence who is elected by the MLAs Unlike the Speaker of the House of Commons the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly does not need to be a member of the Assembly The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are elected for the life of the Legislative Assembly though can be removed via a motion of no confidence voted for by six or more MLAs During the Speaker election the Attorney General acts as presiding officer The Assembly is governed by a number of standing orders which lay out the regulations for proceedings during Assembly meetings Also MLAs are granted parliamentary privilege in the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly There is also a Clerk of the Legislative Assembly who has a similar role to that of the Clerk of the House of Commons Since the 2013 general election MLAs have been paid a salary rather than just expenses and are expected to work full time giving up whatever jobs or business interests they may have previously held 1 Elections EditThere must be a general election on the Falklands at least once every four years although there can be an election at any time As in most Westminster systems the election campaign officially begins with the dissolution of the legislature In the Falklands the Governor dissolves the Legislative Assembly by proclamation at the request of the Executive Council There must be an election within 70 days of the dissolution and the Governor retains the power to recall a dissolved Legislative Assembly before the election though only in the event of an emergency The Falkland Islands are divided into two constituencies Camp and Stanley Camp returns three elected members and Stanley returns five elected members using block voting The Stanley constituency consists of the area within 3 5 mi 5 6 km of the spire of Christ Church Cathedral Stanley while the Camp constituency consists of the rest of the Territory 2 The Constitution allows for the constituencies and their boundaries to be amended but such an amendment must be agreed to by two thirds of the vote in a referendum of the islanders Anyone aged eighteen years or over on the date of the election and registered to vote in the Falklands qualifies to be elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly in the constituency where they are registered The Legislative Assembly is elected through universal suffrage which in reality means that a person can vote if they are eighteen years or over on the date of the election have Falkland Islands status be a British citizen and are a resident in the Falkland Islands on the date of the election Someone can lose their right to vote if they have been certified insane or of unsound mind under any law if they are serving a sentence of imprisonment for a term of at least twelve months if they have been convicted of an offence relating to elections or if they have any acknowledgement of allegiance obedience or adherence to a foreign Power or State Regular members of His Majesty s Armed Forces are also not allowed to vote If there is any dispute over the election of the Assembly or the validity of anyone to vote or stand for election the Supreme Court of the Falkland Islands has the jurisdiction to resolve the dispute By elections Edit See also List of Falkland Islands by elections If an elected member of the Legislative Assembly vacates his or her seat for any reason other than a dissolution of the Assembly there is a by election to fill the empty seat The by election must be held within 70 days the vacancy occurring unless the Assembly is due to be dissolved within 126 days Current composition EditSee also 2021 Falkland Islands general election Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly and Mark Lancaster TD MP in November 2016 The last election took place on 4 November 2021 and the next election is due to take place in 2025 As no political parties are active on the Islands non partisans were elected at the most recent election Elected members Edit See also Category Falkland Islands MLAs 2021 2025 and 2021 Falkland Islands general election Member Constituency VotesLeona Vidal Roberts Stanley 839Roger Spink Stanley 691Pete Biggs Stanley 570Mark Pollard Stanley 550Gavin Short Stanley 486Teslyn Barkman Camp 184Ian Hansen Camp 126John Birmingham Camp 122Officials Edit Icon of St Nicholas at Gilbert House He is a protector of fishermen and by extension of the Falklands fisheries The Directorates are paid employees members of the Corporate Management Team the principal civil servants of the Assembly Member OfficeAndy Keeling Chief ExecutiveJames Wilson Director of FinanceKeith Biles SpeakerSimon Young Attorney GeneralOath or affirmation EditUnder section 42 of the constitution before entering upon the functions of his or her office the MLAs must take the oath of allegiance and the oath of office The wording for the oath of office is specified in Annex B to the Constitution I name do swear or solemnly affirm that I will well and truly serve His Majesty King Charles the Third His Heirs and Successors and the people of the Falkland Islands and will uphold the Constitution and other laws in force in the Falkland Islands as a member of the Legislative Assembly So help me God References Edit Falklands lawmakers The full time problem MercoPress 28 October 2013 Retrieved 2013 11 08 Section 6 Electoral Ordinance 1988 Ordinance No 21 of 1988 read with the Elections Boundaries of Constituencies Regulations 1989 S R amp O No 11 of 1989 Falkland Islands Government Legislative Assembly Website falklands gov fk Retrieved 2010 06 13 The Falkland Islands Constitution Order 2008 PDF falklands gov fk 1 January 2009 Archived from the original PDF on 23 November 2009 Retrieved 2010 06 13 External links EditOfficial website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands amp oldid 1148775766, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
