Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Legislative Assembly of the
Falkland Islands
2025
Meeting place
Stanley Town Hall, Stanley, Falkland Islands
Website
https://www.falklands.gov.fk/assembly/

The Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands is the

Constitution of the Falklands
came into force in 2009 and laid out the composition, powers and procedures of the islands' legislature.

The Legislative Assembly consists of eight elected members, three

Attorney General), and the Speaker. Although they take part in proceedings, the ex officio members do not have the right to vote in the Legislative Assembly. The Commander British Forces
also has the right to take part in the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, though again they may not vote.

Powers and role

Meetings of the Legislative Assembly are normally held in the Court and Assembly Chamber in Stanley Town Hall and begin at a time appointed by the Governor. The constitution states there must be at least one meeting of the Legislative Assembly every year, although the Assembly normally meets every two to three months. Meetings of the Legislative Assembly are broadcast live on the local radio station, the Falkland Islands Radio Service.

The members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have office facilities at Gilbert House, Stanley.

The constitution gives the Legislative Assembly

bill or propose any motion for debate. However, the Legislative Assembly is not permitted to propose a bill which makes alterations to the taxes or finances on the Islands, unless given permission to do so by the Governor, as this is the remit of the Director of Finance and the Public Accounts Committee who are elected by the Legislative Assembly and whose proposals are voted on by the Legislative Assembly. Most motions in the Assembly, including bills, are passed by a simple majority of the elected members with the presiding officer having the casting vote
.

The

Attorney General
acts as presiding officer.

The Assembly is governed by a number of

standing orders which lay out the regulations for proceedings during Assembly meetings. Also, MLAs are granted parliamentary privilege in the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly. There is also a Clerk of the Legislative Assembly who has a similar role to that of the Clerk of the House of Commons
.

Since the 2013 general election MLAs have been paid a salary, rather than just expenses, and are expected to work full-time, giving up whatever jobs or business interests they may have previously held.[1]

Elections

There must be a general election on the Falklands at least once every four years, although there can be an election at any time. As in most Westminster systems, the election campaign officially begins with the dissolution of the legislature. In the Falklands the Governor dissolves the Legislative Assembly by proclamation at the request of the Executive Council. There must be an election within 70 days of the dissolution and the Governor retains the power to recall a dissolved Legislative Assembly before the election, though only in the event of an emergency.

The Falkland Islands are divided into two constituencies,

block voting. The Stanley constituency consists of the area within 3.5 mi (5.6 km) of the spire of Christ Church Cathedral, Stanley, while the Camp constituency consists of the rest of the Territory.[2] The Constitution allows for the constituencies and their boundaries to be amended, but such an amendment must be agreed to by two-thirds of the vote in a referendum
of the islanders.

Anyone aged eighteen years or over on the date of the election and registered to vote in the Falklands qualifies to be elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly in the constituency where they are registered. The Legislative Assembly is elected through universal suffrage, which in reality means that a person can vote if they are eighteen years or over on the date of the election, have Falkland Islands status be a British citizen and are a resident in the Falkland Islands on the date of the election.

Someone can lose their right to vote if they have been certified

His Majesty's Armed Forces
are also not allowed to vote.

If there is any dispute over the election of the Assembly, or the validity of anyone to vote or stand for election, the

Supreme Court of the Falkland Islands
has the jurisdiction to resolve the dispute.

By-elections

If an elected member of the Legislative Assembly vacates his or her seat for any reason other than a dissolution of the Assembly, there is a by-election to fill the empty seat. The by-election must be held within 70 days the vacancy occurring, unless the Assembly is due to be dissolved within 126 days.

Current composition

Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly and Mark Lancaster TD MP in November 2016.

The last election took place on 4 November 2021 and the

non-partisans
were elected at the most recent election.

Elected members

Member Constituency Votes
Leona Vidal Roberts Stanley 839
Roger Spink Stanley 691
Pete Biggs Stanley 570
Mark Pollard Stanley 550
Gavin Short Stanley 486
Teslyn Barkman Camp 184
Ian Hansen Camp 126
John Birmingham Camp 122

Officials

St. Nicholas
at Gilbert House. He is a protector of fishermen and by extension of the Falklands fisheries.

The Directorates are paid employees, members of the Corporate Management Team, the principal

civil servants
of the Assembly.

Member Office
Andy Keeling Chief Executive
James Wilson Director of Finance
Keith Biles Speaker
Simon Young Attorney General

Oath or affirmation

Under section 42 of the constitution, before entering upon the functions of his or her office, the MLAs must take the oath of allegiance and the oath of office. The wording for the oath of office is specified in Annex B to the Constitution:

"I, name, do swear (or solemnly affirm) that I will well and truly serve His Majesty King Charles the Third, His Heirs and Successors, and the people of the Falkland Islands, and will uphold the Constitution and other laws in force in the Falkland Islands, as a member of the Legislative Assembly. So help me God."

References

  1. ^ "Falklands lawmakers: 'The full time problem'". MercoPress. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  2. ^ Section 6, Electoral Ordinance 1988 (Ordinance No. 21 of 1988), read with the Elections (Boundaries of Constituencies) Regulations 1989 (S.R. & O. No. 11 of 1989).

External links