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Supreme authority is vested in HM The Queen and exercised by HE The Governor on her behalf, with the advice and assistance of the Executive and Legislative Councils.

The current Falkland Islands Constitution has evolved since 1985 and, under its terms, eight Legislative Councillors are elected every four years. The Legislative Council (LegCo) is chaired by a Speaker and includes two ex officio members, the Chief Executive and the Financial Secretary. The Speaker is a non-elected position, chosen from the community by the Councillors.

Each year the Legislative Councillors elect three of their number to stand as members of the Executive Council (ExCo), which includes the same two ex officio members who sit on LegCo. In addition, the Attorney General and the Commander of British Forces in the South Atlantic attend by invitation. The Governor is obliged to consult ExCo in the exercise of his function.

LegCo is empowered to pass legislation for the maintenance of law and order, subject to the approval of Her Majesty the Queen, acting through her Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. LegCo meetings are held in public, usually bi-monthly. Elected Councillors have a substantial measure of responsibility for the conduct of affairs governing the Falkland Islands, although the Governor retains responsibility for external affairs and the civil service.

No political parties are represented in the present LegCo, all members being elected as independents. There is no formal opposition. Each Councillor takes responsibility for a particular portfolio and works closely with the relevant department, but does not have the role of a Minister; instead, questions of policy are considered by ExCo.

Published in the Penguin News Visitor's Guide 2004/5 sponsored by the Falkland Islands Tourist Board

www.penguin-news.com  www.tourism.org.fk 

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