Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands

Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Coat of Arms of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Incumbent Rufus Ewing MP since 13 November 2012
Style	The Honourable
Appointer	Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Term length	At the Governor's pleasure
Formation	31 August 1976
First holder	James Alexander George Smith McCartney as Chief Minister

The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands is the political leader and head of government. The post of Premier is the equivalent to Chief Minister or Prime Minister in other British Overseas Territories. It is the highest political level that can be attained within the British colonial system. Prior to 2006, the position was known as the Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Premier and Cabinet (consisting of all the most senior ministers) are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to the Legislative Assembly, to their political party and ultimately to the electorate. The current Premier is Mr. Rufus Ewing, since 13 November 2012.

Background

A new constitution, after being laid in the Turks and Caicos parliament and receiving Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's signature, entered into force on 9 August 2006. The new constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands changed the title of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to Premier and Deputy Premier.

On 14 August 2009, the United Kingdom suspended the Turks and Caicos' self-government after allegations of ministerial corruption. The prerogative of the ministerial government and the House of Assembly are vested in the islands' incumbent governor for a period of up to two years, with possible extensions.

Chief Ministers of the Turks and Caicos Islands

Incumbent	Tenure		Political affiliation
	Took office	Left office
James Alexander George Smith McCartney	31 August 1976	9 May 1980	People's Democratic Movement
Oswald Skippings	19 June 1980	November 1980	People's Democratic Movement
Norman Saunders	November 1980	28 March 1985	Progressive National Party
Nathaniel Francis	28 March 1985	25 July 1986	Progressive National Party
Office suspended	July 1986	March 1988
Oswald Skippings	3 March 1988	April 1991	People's Democratic Movement
Washington Misick	April 1991	31 January 1995	Progressive National Party
Derek Hugh Taylor	31 January 1995	15 August 2003	People's Democratic Movement
Michael Misick	15 August 2003	9 August 2006	Progressive National Party

Premiers of the Turks and Caicos Islands

Incumbent	Tenure		Political affiliation
	Took office	Left office
Michael Misick	9 August 2006	23 March 2009	Progressive National Party
Galmo Williams	23 March 2009	14 August 2009	Progressive National Party
Office suspended	14 August 2009	13 November 2012
Rufus Ewing	13 November 2012	Incumbent	Progressive National Party

References