List of prime ministers of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
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Coat of arms of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
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| Style | The Right Honourable |
| Residence | Prime Minister's Official Residence, Kingstown |
| Appointer | Governor-General |
| Term length | Five years, renewable |
| Inaugural holder | Ebenezer Joshua (as Chief Minister) Milton Cato (as Premier) |
| Formation | 27 October 1979 |
| Deputy | Deputy Prime Minister |
| Salary | 150,454 Eastern Caribbean dollars/55,724 USD annually |
The Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the main leader of the government for this island nation. This important person helps run the country and makes big decisions for its people. The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the political party that wins the most seats in the country's parliament.
Contents
How the Prime Minister is Chosen
The job of Prime Minister is set up by the country's rulebook, called the Constitution. Section 51 of this document explains how it works. The Governor-General is a special representative of the King or Queen. They choose the Prime Minister.
Who Can Be Prime Minister?
The person chosen must be a member of the House of Assembly. This is like the country's main law-making group. The Governor-General picks the person who they think has the most support from the other members. This means the person is likely to be the leader of the winning political party.
When a Prime Minister Can Be Removed
Sometimes, the House of Assembly might not agree with the Prime Minister anymore. If they vote that they no longer trust the Prime Minister, it's called a "motion of no confidence." If this happens, the Prime Minister has three days to either quit their job or ask the Governor-General to call a new election. If they don't do one of these things, the Governor-General must remove them from office.
Past Leaders of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Over the years, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has had different types of leaders before the role of Prime Minister was created. These leaders helped guide the country through important changes.
People's Political Party (PPP) Saint Vincent Labour Party (SVLP) Independent New Democratic Party (UBP) Unity Labour Party (ULP)
Chief Ministers (1960–1969)
The first leaders were called Chief Ministers. This was when Saint Vincent was still a British colony, but it was gaining more power to govern itself.
| No. | Picture | Name (Born–Died) |
Election | Time in Office | Political Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Started | Ended | How Long | |||||
| 1 | Ebenezer Joshua (1908–1991) |
1961 1966 |
9 January 1960 | 30 May 1967 | 7 years, 4 months, 21 days | PPP | |
| 2 | Milton Cato (1915–1997) |
1967 | 30 May 1967 | 27 October 1969 | 2 years, 4 months, 27 days | SVLP | |
Premiers (1969–1979)
After 1969, Saint Vincent became an "Associated State" with Britain. This meant it had full control over its internal affairs, but Britain still handled defense and foreign policy. The leader's title changed to Premier.
| No. | Picture | Name (Born–Died) |
Election | Time in Office | Political Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Started | Ended | How Long | |||||
| 1 | Milton Cato (1915–1997) |
— | 27 October 1969 | 13 April 1972 | 2 years, 5 months, 17 days | SVLP | |
| 2 | James Fitz-Allen Mitchell (1931–2021) |
1972 | 14 April 1972 | 8 December 1974 | 2 years, 7 months, 24 days | Independent | |
| (1) | Milton Cato (1915–1997) |
1974 | 8 December 1974 | 27 October 1979 | 4 years, 10 months, 19 days | SVLP | |
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Prime Ministers (1979–Present)
On October 27, 1979, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines became a fully independent country. From that day on, the head of government has been called the Prime Minister.
| No. | Picture | Name (Born–Died) |
Election | Time in Office | Political Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Started | Ended | How Long | |||||
| 1 | Milton Cato (1915–1997) |
1979 | 27 October 1979 | 30 July 1984 | 4 years, 9 months, 3 days | SVLP | |
| 2 | Sir James Fitz-Allen Mitchell (1931–2021) |
1984 1989 1994 1998 |
30 July 1984 | 27 October 2000 | 16 years, 2 months, 27 days | NDP | |
| 3 | Arnhim Eustace (born 1944) |
— | 27 October 2000 | 29 March 2001 | 5 months, 2 days | NDP | |
| 4 | Ralph Gonsalves (born 1946) |
2001 2005 2010 2015 2020 |
29 March 2001 | Incumbent | 23 years, 8 months, 21 days | ULP | |
More to Explore
- Governor-General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
