The Tristan da Cunha Island Council is the unicameral non-partisan legislature of the island of Tristan da Cunha in the Atlantic Ocean. The Island Council consists of the Administrator of Tristan da Cunha as the presiding officer, plus three appointed and eight elected members. At least one elected member of the council must be a woman.Tristan da Cunha Island Council
The appointed members are appointed by the Administrator of Tristan da Cunha directly.
Electoral system
The 12-member Island Council consists of the Administrator as president, three appointed members and eight elected members, who are elected by plurality-at-large voting. At least one elected member of the council must be a woman. If there are no women among the eight candidates that receive the most votes, only the top seven male candidates are declared elected, alongside the woman that received the highest number of votes. If there are no female candidates, a by-election is held for the eighth seat, in which only female candidates can stand.CONSTITUTIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
The Chief Islander is elected on a separate ballot by first-past-the-post voting, and must also be elected to the Island Council to be eligible to become Chief Islander. The Chief Islander's position is similar to that of a Chief Minister in other British Overseas Territories, such as Gibraltar and Anguilla. A Chief Islander's term is the same as that for the other members of the Island Council, excluding the Administrator.
Council members
Simon Glass Ian Lavarello (Chief Islander) Larry Swain Iris Green Rodney Green Steve Swain Lorraine Repetto Randall Repetto Administrator Philip Kendall announced three Island Council appointments in a Public Notice published later on 6 March 2025: Allan Swain Janine Lavarello Vera Glass
Previous Councils
2007–10
On 19 March 2007, the following were elected to serve on the Island Council: Lorraine Repetto, Conrad Glass, Robin Repetto, Dereck Charles Rogers, Ian Lavarello, James Patrick Glass, Iris Green, Lillie Carlene Swain. The following were appointed by the Administrator (all had previously been Chief Islanders): Harold Green, Anne Green, Lewis Green. The turnout at the election was 56.2%, markedly lower than in previous years.Sarah Glass, "Tristan's Election Results", Tristan Times, 4 April 2007. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
2010–13
In 2010, all the Island Council posts were uncontested (an election had been scheduled for 10 March). The following candidates were therefore returned without the need for an election: Ian Lavarello, Robin Repetto, Marion Green, Beverley Repetto, Dereck Rogers, James Glass, Lorraine Repetto, Iris Green, Dawn Repetto, Conrad Glass, and Anne Green.Juanita Brock, "New Island Council elected to serve until 2013", Tristan Times, 28 May 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2017."Tristan Island Council 2010–2013", Tristan da Cunha. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
2013–16
As in 2010, there were eight nominations for the eight places on the Island Council so an election was not held and all candidates were automatically returned. Apart from Ian Lavarello, all the new Councillors had not served before. The returned candidates were: Leon Glass, Warren Glass, Joanne Green, Ian Lavarello, Gerald Repetto, Beverley Swain, Emma Swain, Neil Swain. Additionally, the Administrator appointed Iris Green, Conrad Glass and Lorraine Repetto."Tristan Island Council 2013–2016", Tristan da Cunha. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
2016–19
On 9 March 2016, with a turnout of 83%, the following eight Councillors were elected to the Tristan da Cunha Island Council for the 2016 to 2019 legislative term: James Glass Warren Glass Sarah Green Terence Green Ian Lavarello Lorraine Repetto Emma Swain Paula Swain
In addition, the three additional Councillors, who were appointed to the Island Council by the Administrator of Tristan da Cunha, Alex Mitham, are: Conrad Glass Harold Green Iris Green
2019–2022
On 26 March 2019, with a turnout of 74.6%, the following eight Councillors were elected to the Tristan da Cunha Island Council for the 2019 to 2022 legislative term: Clive Glass Rodney Green Paul Repetto Steve Swain James Glass Kelly Green Jason Green Ian Lavarello
In addition, the three additional Councillors, who were appointed to the Island Council by the Administrator of Tristan da Cunha are: Carlene Glass-Green Warren Glass Dawn Repetto
2022–2025 On 23 March 2022, it was announced that the 2022 Island Council elections were not held, as no more than eight candidates contested the election.
Elected members: Conrad Glass James Glass (Chief Islander) Vera Glass Warren Glass Rodney Green Terence Green Ian Lavarello Steve Swain Members nominated by the Joint Administrators: Carlene Glass-Green Anne Green Beverley Swain
Chief Islanders Voters can choose on a separate list councillors candidates who are also candidates for being Chief Islander, and the candidate with the most votes becomes Tristan da Cunha's Chief Islander. The following were elected to the post for the years indicated:"Chief Islander", Tristan da Cunha. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
Chief Islander Took office Left office Tenure Election Monarch 1 Harold Green"Harold Green's 80th Birthday", Tristan da Cunha. Retrieved 12 February 2024. 3 years 1970 Elizabeth II 2 Albert Glass"Obituary for Albert Glass BEM", Tristan da Cunha. Retrieved 17 December 2023. 6 years 1973 1976 Harold Green 3 years 1979 Albert Glass 3 years 1982 Harold Green 3 years 1985 3 Anne Green 3 years 1988 4 Lewis Glass"Obituary for Lewis Glass", Tristan da Cunha. Retrieved 17 December 2023. 3 years 1991 5 James Glass"A profile of Tristan da Cunha Chief Islander James Glass MBE", Tristan da Cunha. Retrieved 25 December 2023. 9 years 1994 1997 2000 Anne Green 4 years 2003 6 Conrad Glass 3 years 2007 7 Ian Lavarello 9 years 2010 2013 2016 James Glass 6 years 2019 2022 Charles III Ian Lavarello Incumbent years 2025
Timeline of chief islanders This is a graphical lifespan timeline of chief islanders of Tristan da Cunha. They are listed in order of first assuming office.
See also Legislative Council of Saint Helena Ascension Island Council
References Notes
Citations
External links Tristan da Cunha Island Council