Short facts about the government of Montserrat

Country name:

conventional long form:  none conventional short form:  Montserrat

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades, in the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat)

Administrative divisions:

3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter's

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday:

Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)

Constitution:

present constitution came into force 19 December 1989

Legal system:

English common law and statutory law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state:  Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Anthony John ABBOTT (since NA September 1997) head of government:  Chief Minister David BRANDT (since 22 August 1997) cabinet:  Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary elections:  the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes chief minister; note - as a result of the last election, a coalition party was formed between NPP, NDP, and one of the independent candidates

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 7 popularly elected; members serve five-year terms) elections:  last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held by NA November 2001) election results:  percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPA 2, MNR 2, NPP 1, independent 2

Judicial branch:

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia, one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court)

Political parties and leaders:

Movement for National Reconstruction or MNR [Percival Austin BRAMBLE]; National Development Party or NDP [leader NA]; National Progressive Party or NPP [Reuben T. MEADE]; People's Progressive Alliance or PPA [John A. OSBORNE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Caricom, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, WCL

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross

Source: World Factbook