National Assembly (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
The National Assembly and the King of Saint Christopher and Nevis jointly make up the legislature of Saint Kitts and Nevis.[1]
National Assembly | |
|---|---|
| 10th National Assembly | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Charles III since 8 September 2022 | |
Sir Tapley Seaton since 19 May 2015 | |
Leader of the Opposition | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 15 |
National Assembly political groups | HM Government
|
| Elections | |
National Assembly voting system | First-past-the-post |
National Assembly last election | 5 August 2022 |
| Meeting place | |
| Website | |
| www | |
Composition of the National Assembly
The assembly has 14 or 15 members (depending upon circumstances), 11 of whom are elected for a five-year term in single-seat constituencies and are known as Representatives. The remaining four are called Senators; three are appointed by the governor-general and the fourth is the attorney-general (i.e. an ex officio member).
The 1983 constitution mandates at least three senators, or four if the attorney-general is not one of these three appointed senators. The number can be increased by the parliament as long as it doesn't exceed two thirds of the number of representatives. Except for the attorney-general, the senators are appointed by the governor-general, acting on the advice of the prime minister in two of the appointments and the leader of the opposition for the third one.
Legislative authority
Parliament is empowered by the 1983 constitution to make laws for the Peace, order, and good government of the federation, excepting those areas in the exclusive competence of the Nevis Island Legislature.[2] Following passage by the National Assembly, Royal Assent is required to be given by the Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis.[3]
Amendments to the constitution require a two-thirds supermajority in the Assembly.[4]
Latest election
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party | 13,438 | 45.75 | 6 | +4 | |
| People's Labour Party | 5,036 | 17.14 | 1 | –1 | |
| People's Action Movement | 4,737 | 16.13 | 1 | –3 | |
| Concerned Citizens' Movement | 3,473 | 11.82 | 3 | 0 | |
| Nevis Reformation Party | 2,616 | 8.91 | 0 | 0 | |
| Moral Restoration Movement | 67 | 0.23 | 0 | New | |
| Unity Labour Party | 5 | 0.02 | 0 | New | |
| Independents | 3 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | |
| Appointed and ex-officio members | 4 | 0 | |||
| Total | 29,375 | 100.00 | 15 | 0 | |
| Valid votes | 29,375 | 99.39 | |||
| Invalid/blank votes | 179 | 0.61 | |||
| Total votes | 29,554 | 100.00 | |||
| Registered voters/turnout | 50,973 | 57.98 | |||
| Source: SKN Times | |||||
Elected MPs
Speaker of the National Assembly
The Assembly has a speaker and deputy speaker elected by the members of the parliament during its first meeting following a general election. They do not have to be members of it; but if they are then they cannot also be in the cabinet or parliamentary secretaries.
The current speaker of the National Assembly of Saint Kitts and Nevis is Lanien Blanchette, who has been in office since October 2022. She succeeded Anthony Michael Perkins.
Previous speakers
Speakers of the Legislative Council of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla
| Name | Entered office | Left office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Henry Anthony Camillo Howard | 1960 | 1962 | [5] |
| Hon. Milton Allen | 1962 | 1971 | [6][5] |
| Hon. William Florian Glasford | 1971 | August 1978 | [7] |
| Hon. Ada Mae Edwards | 1978 | 1980 | [8] |
| Hon. Herman W. Liburd | 1980 | 1983 |
Speakers of the National Assembly of St Kitts and Nevis
| Name | Entered office | Left office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hon. Ivan Buchanan | 1983 | 1985 | [9] |
| Hon. Ivan Buchanan | 1985 | 1995 | [10] |
| Hon. Walford Gumbs | 1996 | 2004 | [10] |
| Hon. Marcella Liburd | December 2004 | 2008 | [10] |
| Hon. Curtis Martin | 18 April 2008 | 16 January 2015 | [10] |
| Hon. Franklin Brand | May 2015 | June 2016 | |
| Hon. Anthony Michael Perkins | June 2016 | October 2022 | [11][12] |
| Hon. Lanien Blanchette | October 2022 | present | [13] |
See also
References
- ^ s. 25, Constitution of Saint Christopher and Nevis (1983)
- ^ s. 37, Constitution of Saint Christopher and Nevis (1983)
- ^ s.42, 1983 constitution
- ^ s.38, 1983 constitution
- ^ a b "Historic St. Kitts - Sir Milton Allen". www.historicstkitts.kn.
- ^ The Parliamentarian: Journal of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth. Vol. 43. 18 March 1962.
- ^ "Historic St. Kitts - William Florian Glasford". www.historicstkitts.kn.
- ^ "Historic St. Kitts - Ada Mae Edwards". www.historicstkitts.kn.
- ^ Caribbean dateline. Vol. 4–7. A. Day. 1983.
- ^ a b c d "SKNVibes - Franklin Brand nominated for Speaker of National Assembly". www.sknvibes.com. from the original on 6 May 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
- ^ "Hon. Anthony Michael Perkins Elected Speaker Of National Assembly". thestkittsnevisobserver.com. 30 June 2016.
- ^ . www.winnfm.com. Archived from the original on 2016-07-01.
- ^ "Ms. Lanien Blanchette is the 2nd Female Speaker of the House Post-Independence". www.sknis.gov.kn. 25 October 2022.
- 1983 Saint Kitts and Nevis Constitution