Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)
Constitution: introduced 30 August 1976; suspended in 1986;
restored and revised 5 March 1988
Legal system: based on laws of England and Wales, with a small
number adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1953),
represented by Governor John KELLY (since NA September 1996)
head of government: Chief Minister Derek H. TAYLOR (since 31 January
1995)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex officio members and
five appointed by the governor from among the members of the
Legislative Council
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by
the monarch; chief minister appointed by the governor
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (19 seats, of
which 13 are popularly elected; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 31 January 1995 (next to be held by NA December
1999)
election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—PDM 8,
PNP 4, independent (Norman SAUNDERS) 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Progressive National Party or PNP
International organization participation: Caricom (associate),
CDB, Interpol (subbureau)