Politics of the British Virgin Islands

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British Virgin Islands
This article is part of the series: Politics and government of the British Virgin Islands

Governor David Pearey Chief Minister Orlando Smith Legislative Council Political parties Elections
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Politics of the British Virgin Islands takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic dependency, whereby the Chief Minister is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. The British Virgin Islands is an internally self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The United Nations Committee on Decolonization includes the islands on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. The Constitution of the Islands was introduced in 1971. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Legislative Council. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Military defence is the responsibility of the United Kingdom.

1 Executive branch
2 Legislative branch
3 Political parties and elections
4 Judicial branch
5 International organization participation

[edit] Executive branch

Main office holders
Office	Name	Party	Since
Queen	Elizabeth II		6 February 1952
Governor	David Pearey		2006
Chief Minister	Orlando Smith	NDP	17 June 2003

The governor is appointed by the monarch. The chief minister appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Council His cabinet, the Executive Council is appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the Legislative Council

[edit] Legislative branch

The British Virgin Islands elects on territorial level a legislature. The Legislative Council has 15 members, 13 members elected for a four year term, 9 of them in single-seat constituencies and 4 at large, one ex officio member and one speaker chosen from outside the council.

[edit] Political parties and elections

The following election results include names of political parties. See for additional information about parties the List of political parties in the British Virgin Islands. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in the British Virgin Islands.

[discuss] – [edit]
**Summary of the 16 June 2003 Br. Virgin Islands Legislative Council election results**
Parties	%	Seats
National Democratic Party	52.4	8
Virgin Islands Party	42.2	5
Speaker and Attorney General		2
Total (turnout 72 %)		15
Source: Electionguide.org

[edit] Judicial branch

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consists of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court). Furthermore there is a Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; and a Court of Summary Jurisdiction.