National Assembly (Saint Kitts and Nevis)

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

National Assembly
10th National Assembly
Type
Type
Leadership
Charles III
since 8 September 2022
Dame Marcella Liburd
since 1 February 2023
Lanien Blanchette, SKNLP
since 25 October 2022
Terrance Drew, SKNLP
since 6 August 2022
Mark Brantley, CCM
since 10 October 2022
Structure
Seats15
National Assembly political groups
HM Government
  •   SKNLP (6)

HM Loyal Opposition

Crossbench

Elections
National Assembly voting system
First-past-the-post
Last National Assembly election
5 August 2022
Meeting place
Website
www.parliament.gov.kn
Politics of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Executive
Legislative
Elections
Administrative divisions (parishes)
Foreign relations
Nevis Nevis

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: 2022 Saint Kitts and Nevis general election
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party13,43845.756+4
People's Labour Party5,03617.141–1
People's Action Movement4,73716.131–3
Concerned Citizens' Movement3,47311.8230
Nevis Reformation Party2,6168.9100
Moral Restoration Movement670.230New
Unity Labour Party50.020New
Independents30.0100
Appointed and ex-officio members40
Total29,375100.00150
Valid votes29,37599.39
Invalid/blank votes1790.61
Total votes29,554100.00
Registered voters/turnout50,97357.98
Source: SKN Times

Elected MPs
Constituency MPs Party
St Christopher #1 Geoffrey Hanley   Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party
St Christopher #2 Marsha Henderson   Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party
St Christopher #3 Konris Maynard   Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party
St Christopher #4 Samal Duggins   Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party
St Christopher #5 Shawn Richards   People's Action Movement
St Christopher #6 Denzil Douglas   Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party
St Christopher #7 Timothy Harris   People's Labour Party
St Christopher #8 Terrance Drew   Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party
Nevis #9 Mark Brantley   Concerned Citizens' Movement
Nevis #10 Eric Evelyn   Concerned Citizens' Movement
Nevis #11 Alexis Jeffers   Concerned Citizens' Movement
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 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 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 October 2022 [11][12]
Hon. Lanien Blanchette October 2022 present [13]

See also

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. Vol. 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. Vol. 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. "WINN FM - Michael Perkins For Speaker, New Senator To Be Appointed". www.winnfm.com. Archived from the original on 2016-07-01.
  13. "Ms. Lanien Blanchette is the 2nd Female Speaker of the House Post-Independence". www.sknis.gov.kn. 25 October 2022.
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