Governor of the Virgin Islands

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This article is about the British official. For the American official, see List of governors of the United States Virgin Islands.
Governor of the Virgin Islands
Flag of the Governor of the British Virgin Islands.svg
Standard of the Governor
Coat of arms of the British Virgin Islands.svg
Arms of the British Virgin Islands
Johnrankin.jpg
Incumbent
John Rankin
since 29 January 2021
StyleHis Excellency
ResidenceGovernment House, British Virgin Islands
AppointerQueen Elizabeth II
as Queen of the United Kingdom
Formation1887
First holderEdward John Cameron
as Administrator
WebsiteOffice of the Governor
Politics of the British Virgin Islands
Coat of arms of the British Virgin Islands.svg
Constitution
Monarchy
Executive
Legislative
Judiciary
Elections
Administrative divisions
Citizenship
Foreign relations
  • Other countries
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The Governor of the Virgin Islands[1] is the representative of the British monarch in the United Kingdom's overseas territory of the British Virgin Islands. The governor is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the British government. The role of the governor is to act as the de facto head of state, and he or she is responsible for appointing the chief minister and the executive council.

The current Governor is John Rankin CMG.

The Governor has his own viceregal flag, the Union Flag defaced with the territory's coat of arms. The official residence of the governor is Government House located in Road Town, Tortola.

History[]

The first colonial administration on the islands was the Dutch. England annexed the Islands in 1672. An administrator was appointed to the islands from 1887, and replaced by a governor in 1971 when the islands were created a distinct territory.

Prior to this date, the local council would elect one of their members to be president (see List of Presidents of the British Virgin Islands).

Up until 1971, the administrators were answerable to the Governors of the Leeward Islands, of which the British Virgin Islands formed a part.

Powers[]

The Governor shall be responsible for the conduct of any business of the Government of the Virgin Islands, including the administration of any department of government, with respect to the following matters:[2]

  1. External affairs;[3]
  2. Defence, including the armed forces;
  3. Internal security, including the Police Force;
  4. The terms and conditions of service of persons holding or acting in public offices, without prejudice to section 92; and
  5. The administration of the courts.

The Governor also has various powers to make and remove appointments,[4] and a power of pardon.[5]

Subject to certain exceptions, the Governor is required consult with the Cabinet in the exercise of all functions conferred on him or her by the Constitution of the British Virgin Islands or any other law for the time being in force in the British Virgin Islands.[6]

List of administrators of the British Virgin Islands[]

List of governors of the British Virgin Islands[]

  • (15 October 1971 – 3 November 1974)
  • (3 November 1974 – 5 November 1978)
  • James Alfred Davidson (5 November 1978 – 7 November 1982)
  • (7 November 1982 – 2 September 1986)
  • Mark Herdman (2 September 1986 – 17 March 1991)
  • Peter Penfold (17 March 1991 – 3 February 1995)
  • (3 February 1995 - 16 October 1998)
  • Frank Savage (16 October 1998 – 11 October 2004)
  • Elton Georges (11 October 2004 - 14 October 2004; acting)
  • Tom Macan (14 October 2004 – 16 April 2006)
  • Dancia Penn (16 April 2006 - 22 April 2006; acting)
  • David Pearey (22 April 2006 – 11 August 2010)
  • V. Inez Archibald (11 August 2010 - 20 August 2010; acting)
  • William Boyd McCleary (20 August 2010 – 1 August 2014)
  • V. Inez Archibald (1–15 August 2014; acting)
  • John Duncan (15 August 2014 – 8 August 2017)
  • Robert A. Mathavious (8–12 August 2017; acting)
  • Rosalie Adams (12–22 August 2017; acting)
  • Augustus Jaspert (22 August 2017 – 23 January 2021)
  • David D. Archer, Jr (23–29 January 2021; acting)[7]
  • John Rankin (29 January 2021 – present)

Note: Acting governors are the incumbent Deputy Governor of the British Virgin Islands who was in office when they acted as governors.

References[]

  1. ^ While the territory is commonly known as the 'British Virgin Islands', her official name is simply 'Virgin Islands'; moreover, section 35(1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 stipulates that the name of the office is 'Governor of the Virgin Islands'.
  2. ^ Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, article 60(1)
  3. ^ Except in relation to certain matters delegated to the premier, including external affairs relating to: (a) the Caribbean Community, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, the Association of Caribbean States, the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, or any other Caribbean regional organisation or institution; (b) other Caribbean regional affairs relating specifically to issues that are of interest to or affect the British Virgin Islands; (c) the relationship between the Virgin Islands and the United States Virgin Islands in matters of mutual interest; (d) tourism and tourism-related matters; (e) taxation and the regulation of finance and financial services; and (f) European Union matters directly affecting the interests of the Virgin Islands.
  4. ^ Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, article 42.
  5. ^ Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, article 43(1).
  6. ^ Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, article 40(1).
  7. ^ [1]

External links[]

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