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 Parliament, to their political party and ultimately to the electorate.
The current premier is Charles Washington Misick, since 20 February 2021.
Constitutional background The office of Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands was created in 1976 when ministerial governance was introduced under a new constitution entered into force, stating that it was to be appointed by the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands. In the 1976 Turks and Caicos Islands general election, J. A. G. S. McCartney was elected as the first Chief Minister. In 1985, due to the Chief Minister being implicated in drugs crimes and corrupt practices, the Governor dismissed the Chief Minister and suspended the constitution and brought in direct rule from the United Kingdom. In 1988, a new constitution was brought in to increase the number of elected members in time for the 1988 Turks and Caicos Islands general election.
A new constitution, after being laid in the Turks and Caicos Legislative Council 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 under the Premier. The prerogative of the ministerial government and the House of Assembly were vested in the islands' incumbent Governor for a period of up to two years, which was extended until 2012.
List The following is the list of Chief Ministers and Premiers of the Turks and Caicos Islands: (Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)
PortraitNameTerm of officePolitical partyElectedNotesTook officeLeft officeTime in office Chief Ministers (1976–2006) 1 James Alexander George Smith McCartney 31 August 1976 9 May 1980 People's Democratic Movement 1976 2 Oswald Skippings 19 June 1980 4 November 1980 People's Democratic Movement — 3 Norman Saunders 4 November 1980 28 March 1985 Progressive National Party 19801984 4 Nathaniel Francis 28 March 1985 25 July 1986 Progressive National Party — Office suspended (25 July 1986 – 3 March 1988) Oswald Skippings 3 March 1988 3 April 1991 People's Democratic Movement 1988 5 Washington Misick 3 April 1991 31 January 1995 Progressive National Party 1991 6 Derek Hugh Taylor 31 January 1995 15 August 2003 People's Democratic Movement 19951999 7 Michael Misick 15 August 2003 9 August 2006 Progressive National Party 2003 Premiers (2006–present) 1 Michael Misick 9 August 2006 23 March 2009 Progressive National Party 2007 2 Galmo Williams 23 March 2009 14 August 2009 Progressive National Party — Office suspended (14 August 2009 – 13 November 2012) 3 Rufus Ewing 13 November 2012 20 December 2016 Progressive National Party 2012 4 Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson 20 December 2016 20 February 2021 People's Democratic Movement 2016 5 Washington Misick 20 February 2021 Incumbent Progressive National Party 20212025
See also List of current heads of government in the United Kingdom and dependencies Politics of the Turks and Caicos Islands Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands
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Further reading