National Assembly (Saint Kitts and Nevis) explained

National Assembly
Legislature:10th National Assembly
Coa Pic:Coat of Arms of Saint Kitts and Nevis.svg
Coa Res:150px
House Type:Unicameral
Election1:8 September 2022
Election2:1 February 2023
Election3:25 October 2022
Election4:6 August 2022
Election5:10 October 2022
Members:15
House1:National Assembly
Structure1:St._Kitt's_and_Nevis_National_Assembly_(2022-).svg
Structure1 Res:250px
Political Groups1:HM Government

HM Loyal Opposition

Crossbench

Session Room:Saint Kitts and Nevis Government building 2.JPG

The National Assembly and the King of Saint Christopher and Nevis jointly make up the legislature of Saint Kitts and Nevis.[1]

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

See main article: 2022 Saint Kitts and Nevis general election.

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 officeLeft officeNotes
Hon. Henry Howard19601962[5]
Hon. Milton Allen19621971[6]
Hon. William Florian Glasford1971August 1978[7]
Hon. Ada Mae Edwards19781980[8]
Hon. Herman W. Liburd19801983

Speakers of the National Assembly of St Kitts and Nevis

Name Entered officeLeft officeNotes
Hon. Ivan Buchanan19831985[9]
Hon. Ivan Buchanan19851995[10]
Hon. Walford Gumbs19962004
Hon. Marcella LiburdDecember 20042008
Hon. Curtis Martin18 April 200816 January 2015
Hon. Franklin BrandMay 2015June 2016
Hon. Anthony Michael PerkinsJune 2016October 2022[11] [12]
Hon. Lanien BlanchetteOctober 2022present[13]

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. s. 25, Constitution of Saint Christopher and Nevis (1983)
  2. s. 37, Constitution of Saint Christopher and Nevis (1983)
  3. s.42, 1983 constitution
  4. s.38, 1983 constitution
  5. Web site: Historic St. Kitts - Sir Milton Allen. www.historicstkitts.kn.
  6. Book: The Parliamentarian: Journal of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth. 43. 18 March 1962.
  7. Web site: Historic St. Kitts - William Florian Glasford. www.historicstkitts.kn.
  8. Web site: Historic St. Kitts - Ada Mae Edwards. www.historicstkitts.kn.
  9. Book: Caribbean dateline. 1983. A. Day. 4–7.
  10. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20150506171525/http://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/91471. SKNVibes - Franklin Brand nominated for Speaker of National Assembly. 6 May 2015. www.sknvibes.com. 14 April 2020. live.
  11. Web site: Hon. Anthony Michael Perkins Elected Speaker Of National Assembly. 30 June 2016. thestkittsnevisobserver.com.
  12. Web site: WINN FM - Michael Perkins For Speaker, New Senator To Be Appointed . www.winnfm.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160701143916/http://www.winnfm.com/news/local/17540-michael-perkins-for-speaker-new-senator-to-be-appointed . 2016-07-01.
  13. Web site: Ms. Lanien Blanchette is the 2nd Female Speaker of the House Post-Independence. www.sknis.gov.kn. 25 October 2022.