National Assembly (Saint Kitts and Nevis)

The National Assembly is the unicameral legislative assembly that, together with the Queen of Saint Christopher and Nevis, forms the Parliament of Saint Kitts and Nevis.[1]

National Assembly
8th National Assembly
Type
Type	Unicameral
Leadership
Monarch	Elizabeth II since 1983
Governor-General	Samuel Weymouth Tapley Seaton
Speaker	Anthony Michael Perkins since June 2016
Structure
Seats	15
National Assembly political groups	Her Majesty's Government      PAM (4)      CCM (3)      PLP (2) HM Loyal Opposition      SKNLP (2) Other Members of the National Assembly      Senators (3)      Ex officio (1)
Elections
National Assembly voting system	First Past the Post
National Assembly last election	16 February 2015
National Assembly next election	2020
Website
www.parliament.gov.kn

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

Main article: 2020 Saint Kitts and Nevis general election

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party	10,355	37.10	2	–1
	People's Action Movement	8,067	28.91	4	0
	People's Labour Party	3,731	13.37	2	+1
	Concerned Citizens' Movement	3,510	12.58	3	+1
	Nevis Reformation Party	2,232	8.00	0	–1
	Independent	11	0.04	0	0
	Appointed members	–	–	4	0
Invalid/blank votes		259	–	–	–
Total		28,165	100	15	0
Registered voters/turnout		48,173	58.47	–	–
Source: SKN Vibes

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 Anthony Michael Perkins, who has been in office since June 2016. He succeeded Franklin Brand.

Previous speakers

Speakers of the Legislative Council of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla

Name	Entered office	Left office	Notes
Hon. Henry Anthony Camillo Howard	1960	1962	[5]
Hon. Milton Allen	1962	1971	[6][5]
Hon. William Florian Glasford	1971	August 1978	[7]
Hon. Ada Mae Edwards	1978	1980	[8]
Hon. Herman W. Liburd	1980	1983

Speakers of the National Assembly of St Kitts and Nevis

Name	Entered office	Left office	Notes
Hon. Ivan Buchanan	1983	1985	[9]
Hon. Ivan Buchanan	1985	1995	[10]
Hon. Walford Gumbs	1996	2004	[10]
Hon. Marcella Liburd	December 2004	2008	[10]
Hon. Curtis Martin	18 April 2008	16 January 2015	[10]
Hon. Franklin Brand	May 2015	June 2016
Hon. Anthony Michael Perkins	June 2016	present	[11][12]

See also

• Politics of Saint Kitts and Nevis
• List of legislatures by country

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. "Historic St. Kitts - Sir Milton Allen". www.historicstkitts.kn.
6. The Parliamentarian: Journal of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth. 43. 18 March 1962.
7. "Historic St. Kitts - William Florian Glasford". www.historicstkitts.kn.
8. "Historic St. Kitts - Ada Mae Edwards". www.historicstkitts.kn.
9. Caribbean dateline. 4–7. A. Day. 1983.
10. "SKNVibes - Franklin Brand nominated for Speaker of National Assembly". www.sknvibes.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
11. "Hon. Anthony Michael Perkins Elected Speaker Of National Assembly". thestkittsnevisobserver.com. 30 June 2016.
12. https://www.winnfm.com/news/local/17540-michael-perkins-for-speaker-new-senator-to-be-appointed

• 1983 Saint Kitts and Nevis Constitution