Tristan da Cunha Island Council
Legislature of Tristan da Cunha
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The Tristan da Cunha Island Council is the unicameral non-partisan legislature of the island of Tristan da Cunha in the Atlantic Ocean. The Island Council consists of the Administrator of Tristan da Cunha as the presiding officer, plus three appointed and eight elected members. At least one elected member of the council must be a woman.[2]
Tristan da Cunha Island Council | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Philip Kendall[1] | |
| Seats | 11 Councillors (8 directly elected by island residents, 3 directly appointed by the Administrator) |
| Website | |
| Tristan da Cunha Island Council | |
The appointed members are appointed by the Administrator of Tristan da Cunha directly.
Electoral system
The 12-member Island Council consists of the Administrator as president, three appointed members and eight elected members, who are elected by plurality-at-large voting. At least one elected member of the council must be a woman. If there are no women among the eight candidates that receive the most votes, only the top seven male candidates are declared elected, alongside the woman that received the highest number of votes. If there are no female candidates, a by-election is held for the eighth seat, in which only female candidates can stand.[2][3]
The Chief Islander is elected on a separate ballot by first-past-the-post voting, and must also be elected to the Island Council to be eligible to become Chief Islander.[3] The Chief Islander's position is similar to that of a Chief Minister in other British Overseas Territories, such as Gibraltar and Anguilla. A Chief Islander's term is the same as that for the other members of the Island Council, excluding the Administrator.
Council members
- Simon Glass
- Ian Lavarello (Chief Islander)
- Larry Swain
- Iris Green
- Rodney Green
- Steve Swain
- Lorraine Repetto
- Randall Repetto
Administrator Philip Kendall announced three Island Council appointments in a Public Notice published later on 6 March 2025:
- Allan Swain
- Janine Lavarello
- Vera Glass
Previous Councils
2007–10
On 19 March 2007, the following were elected to serve on the Island Council: Lorraine Repetto, Conrad Glass, Robin Repetto, Dereck Charles Rogers, Ian Lavarello, James Patrick Glass, Iris Green, Lillie Carlene Swain. The following were appointed by the Administrator (all had previously been Chief Islanders): Harold Green, Anne Green, Lewis Green. The turnout at the election was 56.2%, markedly lower than in previous years.[4]
2010–13
In 2010, all the Island Council posts were uncontested (an election had been scheduled for 10 March). The following candidates were therefore returned without the need for an election: Ian Lavarello, Robin Repetto, Marion Green, Beverley Repetto, Dereck Rogers, James Glass, Lorraine Repetto, Iris Green, Dawn Repetto, Conrad Glass, and Anne Green.[5][6]
2013–16
As in 2010, there were eight nominations for the eight places on the Island Council so an election was not held and all candidates were automatically returned. Apart from Ian Lavarello, all the new Councillors had not served before. The returned candidates were: Leon Glass, Warren Glass, Joanne Green, Ian Lavarello, Gerald Repetto, Beverley Swain, Emma Swain, Neil Swain. Additionally, the Administrator appointed Iris Green, Conrad Glass and Lorraine Repetto.[7]
2016–19
On 9 March 2016, with a turnout of 83%, the following eight Councillors were elected to the Tristan da Cunha Island Council for the 2016 to 2019 legislative term:[8]
- James Glass
- Warren Glass
- Sarah Green
- Terence Green
- Ian Lavarello[nb 1]
- Lorraine Repetto
- Emma Swain
- Paula Swain
In addition, the three additional Councillors, who were appointed to the Island Council by the Administrator of Tristan da Cunha, Alex Mitham, are:
- Conrad Glass[nb 2]
- Harold Green
- Iris Green
2019–2022
On 26 March 2019, with a turnout of 74.6%, the following eight Councillors were elected to the Tristan da Cunha Island Council for the 2019 to 2022 legislative term:[12]
- Clive Glass
- Rodney Green
- Paul Repetto
- Steve Swain
- James Glass[nb 3]
- Kelly Green
- Jason Green
- Ian Lavarello
In addition, the three additional Councillors, who were appointed to the Island Council by the Administrator of Tristan da Cunha are:
- Carlene Glass-Green
- Warren Glass
- Dawn Repetto
2022–2025
On 23 March 2022, it was announced that the 2022 Island Council elections were not held, as no more than eight candidates contested the election.[14]
Elected members:[14]
- Conrad Glass
- James Glass (Chief Islander)
- Vera Glass
- Warren Glass
- Rodney Green
- Terence Green
- Ian Lavarello
- Steve Swain
Members nominated by the Joint Administrators:
- Carlene Glass-Green
- Anne Green
- Beverley Swain
Chief Islanders
Voters can choose on a separate list councillors candidates who are also candidates for being Chief Islander, and the candidate with the most votes becomes Tristan da Cunha's Chief Islander.[15] The following were elected to the post for the years indicated:[16]
| No. | Image | Chief Islander | Election | Took office | Left office | Monarch Reign |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
Harold Green (1934–2025)[17] |
1970 | 1970 | 1973 | Elizabeth II_(cropped)_(3-to-4_aspect_ratio).jpg) r. 1952–2022 |
| 2 | |
Albert Glass (1935–2007)[18] |
1973 | 1973 | 1979 | |
| 1976 | ||||||
| (1) | |
Harold Green (1934–2025)[17] |
1979 | 1979 | 1982 | |
| (2) | |
Albert Glass (1935–2007)[18] |
1982 | 1982 | 1985 | |
| (1) | |
Harold Green (1934–2025)[17] |
1985 | 1985 | 1988 | |
| 3 | |
Anne Green (born 1952) |
1988 | 1988 | 1991 | |
| 4 | |
Lewis Glass (1948–2019)[19] |
1991 | 1991 | 1994 | |
| 5 | |
James Glass (born 1961)[20] |
1994 | 1994 | 2003 | |
| 1997 | ||||||
| 2000 | ||||||
| (3) | |
Anne Green (born 1952) |
2003 | 2003 | 2007 | |
| 6 | .jpg) |
Conrad Glass (born 1961) |
2007 | 2007 | April 2010 | |
| 7 |  |
Ian Lavarello (born 1970)[11] |
2010 | April 2010 | April 2019 | |
| 2013 | ||||||
| 2016 | ||||||
| (5) | |
James Glass (born 1961)[20] |
2019 | April 2019 | 2025 | |
| 2022 | Charles III.jpg) r. 2022–present | |||||
| (7) | |
Ian Lavarello (born 1970)[21] |
2025 | 2025 | Incumbent |
Timeline of chief islanders
This is a graphical lifespan timeline of chief islanders of Tristan da Cunha. They are listed in order of first assuming office.
