About the Legislative Assembly?
Though an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom, the Falkland Islands enjoys a large measure of internal self-government. The Legislative Assembly is empowered to pass legislation for the peace, order and good government of the Falkland Islands, subject to the approval of Her Majesty the Queen, acting through her Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
The Legislative Assembly is chaired by Mr Speaker and includes the eight elected Members (MLAs), the Clerk of the Assembly and two ex-officio members; the Chief Executive and the Financial Secretary. The Attorney General and Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands (CBFSAI) are also entitled to attend meetings.
Legislative Assembly meetings are held monthly in public at the Court and Assembly Chambers in the Town Hall. Meetings are recorded and broadcast live over local radio station, Falklands Radio; occasionally meetings are also broadcast by the local television channel FITV. Members of the public can attend meetings but are not permitted to speak. Verbatim records of Legislative Assembly meetings are available to the public (these can be downloaded under Legislative Assembly>Assembly Records and Order Papers).
An election is held every four years to establish the elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs); the next election is scheduled for November 2025. There are two constituencies; five Members represent Stanley (the Capital of the Falkland Islands) and three Members represent Camp (anything outside of Stanley). All members are elected as independents, there are no political parties; therefore there is no formal opposition.
Upon election the Assembly collectively produce their Islands Plan which sets out the goals for their tenure. Each MLA takes responsibility for a particular portfolio within the portfolio system and works closely with the relevant departments and Government committees. MLAs do not take the role of a Minister; instead, questions of policy are considered by the Executive Council.
Stanley:
The Honourable Peter Biggs MLA
The Honourable Mark Pollard MLA
The Honourable Leona Roberts MLA
The Honourable Gavin Short MLA
The Honourable Roger Spink MLA
Camp:
The Honourable Teslyn Barkman MLA
The Honourable John Birmingham MLA
The Honourable Jack Ford MLA
