The National Assembly and the King of Saint Christopher and Nevis jointly make up the legislature of Saint Kitts and Nevis.s. 25, Constitution of Saint Christopher and Nevis (1983)
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.s. 37, Constitution of Saint Christopher and Nevis (1983) Following passage by the National Assembly, Royal Assent is required to be given by the Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis.s.42, 1983 constitution
Amendments to the constitution require a two-thirds supermajority in the Assembly.s.38, 1983 constitution
Latest election
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 and House of Assembly of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla
Name Entered officeLeft officeNotesHon. Henry Howard19601962Hon. Milton Allen19621971Hon. William Florian Glasford1971August 1978Hon. Ada Mae Edwards19781980Hon. Herman W. Liburd19801983
Speakers of the National Assembly of St Kitts and Nevis
Name Entered officeLeft officeNotesHon. Ivan Buchanan19831985Hon. Ivan Buchanan19851995Hon. Walford Gumbs19962004Hon. Marcella LiburdDecember 20042008Hon. Curtis Martin18 April 200816 January 2015Hon. Franklin BrandMay 2015June 2016Hon. Anthony Michael PerkinsJune 2016October 2022 Hon. Lanien BlanchetteOctober 2022present
See also
Politics of Saint Kitts and Nevis List of legislatures by country
References
1983 Saint Kitts and Nevis Constitution