Government and Politics

Government and Politics of Saint Helena

Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of Saint Helena.

Government Structure

Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.

Government Type: NA
Administrative Divisions: 1 administrative area and 2 dependencies*; Ascension*, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha*
Legal System: NA
Suffrage: NA years of age
Citizenship: see United Kingdom
Executive Branch: chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022) head of government: Governor and Commander in Chief Andrew BURNS (since 19 April 2021) cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, three ex-officio officers, and five elected members of the Legislative Council elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor is appointed by the monarch
Legislative Branch: unicameral Legislative Council (16 seats, including the speaker, 3 ex officio and 12 elected members; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 31 August 2005 (next to be held NA 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 12
Judicial Branch: Magistrate's Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Political Parties: none
Head of State: ELIZABETH II
Cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, three ex-officio officers, and five elected members of the Legislative Council
Constitution: 1-Jan-89
Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK)
National Holiday: Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
International Organization Participation: ICFTU
Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.: none (overseas territory of the UK)
U.S. Diplomatic Representation: none (overseas territory of the UK)

Capital City

Seat of government and political history.

Capital City: Jamestown
Location: 15 56 S, 5 43 W
Time Difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
History: founded in 1659 and named after James, Duke of York, who would become King JAMES II of England (r. 1785-1788)

National Symbols

Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.

National Flag

Flag Symbolism: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship
Flag History: The British blue ensign is charged with the shield of arms, granted on Jan. 30, 1984. The ship recalls that in 1659 the island became the possession of the British East India Company. The wirebird is endemic to the island.
Date of Adoption: 4 October 1984

National Anthem

Anthem History: territory of the UK

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