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Montserrat (British Overseas Territory)

 Flag of Montserrat

Last reviewed: 01 October 2009

Country information

POLITICS

Constitutional Status

Montserrat is an internally self-governing Overseas Territory. This provides for the execution of government through a Governor appointed by the Crown, an Executive Council (ExCo) which has the general control and direction of government, and a Legislative Council (LegCo). The Governor retains responsibility for internal security (including police), external affairs, defence, the public service (of which she is the head) and offshore finance.

In December 1989, Montserrat's Constitution was consolidated into one document. The new Constitution came into force on 13 February 1990.

Constitutional Review

Her Majesty’s Government invited Overseas Territories to carry out local consultation and to make proposals for the review and modernisation of their constitution (1999 White Paper Partnership for Progress and Prosperity). The Montserrat Constitutional Commissioners reported in 2002. Legislative Council reviewed the report in 2005 and passed their own report to London in April 2005. Since then, there have been four rounds of talks in Montserrat in September 2005, March 2006, October 2006 and May 2007.

Recent Political Development

A general election took place in Montserrat on 08 September 2009. The nine seats were contested by three parties – the Movement for Change and Prosperity (MCAP) led by Reuben T Meade, the Montserrat Labour Party led by Idabelle Meade and the Montserrat Reformatiokn Party led by Adelina Tuitt – and 10 independent candidates. A 66% turnout of the 3000 strong electorate, in a well-organised and orderly election, resulted in Joseph Easton Taylor-Farrell receiving the highest number of votes, with five of his fellow MCAP candidates also receivinhg seats. The remaining seats went to three independent candidates including the outgoing Chief Minister Lowell Lewis. The Movement for Change and Prosperity hold a majority in the Government, which is led by Mr Reuben Meade.

Volcanic activity has resulted in four and a half of the original seven constituencies in Montserrat being unoccupied. As a result the pre-1995 electoral arrangements became unworkable. In February 1999, the Governor appointed a commission to suggest reforms. The Commission reported in May 1999. Their main recommendations were that:

  • the single-member, multi-constituency, first-past-the-post electoral system be replaced by a single-constituency system under a modified first-past-the-post arrangement;
  • the nominated membership to the Legislative Council be abolished and the elected membership be increased from seven to nine accordingly.

The main recommendations were accepted by HMG and the new system was used in the 2001, 2006 and 2009 elections.

Elections

Elections are held every five years on the basis of universal adult suffrage. The last general election took place on  8 September 2009, it was called early by the outgoing Chief Minister.

Government

Governor's Office:

Governor: His Excellency Mr Peter Waterworth
Head of Governor’s Office: Carol Cullen
Staff Officer: Mags Gallagher
PA/HE Governor: Ms Rachel Tanner

Government Ministers:

Chief Minister, Finance, Economic Development. The Hon Mr Reuben Meade (MCAP)
Minister for Communications and Works:  Hon Mr Charles Kirnon (MCAP)
Minister for Lands, Housing, Agriculture and Environment:  Hon Mr Easton Farrell(MCAP)
Minister for Education, Health and Community Services:  Hon Mr Colin Riley (MCAP)

HUMAN RIGHTS

Overseas Territories are expected to comply with their obligations under the international human rights instruments which have been extended to them. The following major Conventions apply in Montserrat:

  • Inter European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
  • International Covenant on Economic and Social Rights (ICESCR)
  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
  • UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT)
  • UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
  • UN Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)

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Contacts

Montserrat, Brades, The Governor's Office

Address:

The Governor's Office
Farara Plaza
Brades
Montserrat

Telephone:

(1) (664) 491 2688/9 Office

(664) 491 6124 Governor's Residence

Fax:

(1) (664) 491 8867

Email: Govoffice.Montserrat@fco.gov.uk

Office hours:

GMT:
Mon-Fri: 1200-2000

Local Time:
Mon-Fri: 0800-1600

Website: http://ukinmontserrat.fco.gov.uk