Tristan da Cunha Island Council


The Tristan da Cunha Island Council is the unicameral non-partisan legislature of the island of Tristan da Cunha in the Atlantic Ocean. The Island Council consists of the Administrator of Tristan da Cunha as the presiding officer, plus three appointed and eight elected members. At least one elected member of the council must be a woman.
The appointed members are appointed by the Administrator of Tristan da Cunha directly.

Electoral system

The 12-member Island Council consists of the Administrator as president, three appointed members and eight elected members, who are elected by plurality-at-large voting. At least one elected member of the council must be a woman. If there are no women among the eight candidates that receive the most votes, only the top seven male candidates are declared elected, alongside the woman that received the highest number of votes. If there are no female candidates, a by-election is held for the eighth seat, in which only female candidates can stand.
The Chief Islander is elected on a separate ballot by first-past-the-post voting, and must also be elected to the Island Council to be eligible to become Chief Islander. The Chief Islander's position is similar to that of a Chief Minister in other British Overseas Territories, such as Gibraltar and Anguilla. A Chief Islander's term is the same as that for the other members of the Island Council, excluding the Administrator.

Council members

  • Simon Glass
  • Ian Lavarello
  • Larry Swain
  • Iris Green
  • Rodney Green
  • Steve Swain
  • Lorraine Repetto
  • Randall Repetto
Administrator Philip Kendall announced three Island Council appointments in a Public Notice published later on 6 March 2025:
  • Allan Swain
  • Janine Lavarello
  • Vera Glass

Previous Councils

2007–10

On 19 March 2007, the following were elected to serve on the Island Council: Lorraine Repetto, Conrad Glass, Robin Repetto, Dereck Charles Rogers, Ian Lavarello, James Patrick Glass, Iris Green, Lillie Carlene Swain. The following were appointed by the Administrator : Harold Green, Anne Green, Lewis Green. The turnout at the election was 56.2%, markedly lower than in previous years.

2010–13

In 2010, all the Island Council posts were uncontested. The following candidates were therefore returned without the need for an election: Ian Lavarello, Robin Repetto, Marion Green, Beverley Repetto, Dereck Rogers, James Glass, Lorraine Repetto, Iris Green, Dawn Repetto, Conrad Glass, and Anne Green.

2013–16

As in 2010, there were eight nominations for the eight places on the Island Council so an election was not held and all candidates were automatically returned. Apart from Ian Lavarello, all the new Councillors had not served before. The returned candidates were: Leon Glass, Warren Glass, Joanne Green, Ian Lavarello, Gerald Repetto, Beverley Swain, Emma Swain, Neil Swain. Additionally, the Administrator appointed Iris Green, Conrad Glass and Lorraine Repetto.

2016–19

On 9 March 2016, with a turnout of 83%, the following eight Councillors were elected to the Tristan da Cunha Island Council for the 2016 to 2019 legislative term:
In addition, the three additional Councillors, who were appointed to the Island Council by the Administrator of Tristan da Cunha, Alex Mitham, are:

2019–2022

On 26 March 2019, with a turnout of 74.6%, the following eight Councillors were elected to the Tristan da Cunha Island Council for the 2019 to 2022 legislative term:
In addition, the three additional Councillors, who were appointed to the Island Council by the Administrator of Tristan da Cunha are:
  • Carlene Glass-Green
  • Warren Glass
  • Dawn Repetto

2022–2025

On 23 March 2022, it was announced that the 2022 Island Council elections were not held, as no more than eight candidates contested the election.
Elected members:
Members nominated by the Joint Administrators:
  • Carlene Glass-Green
  • Anne Green
  • Beverley Swain

Chief Islanders

Voters can choose on a separate list councillors candidates who are also candidates for being Chief Islander, and the candidate with the most votes becomes Tristan da Cunha's Chief Islander. The following were elected to the post for the years indicated:
No.ImageChief IslanderElectionTook officeLeft officeMonarch
1Harold Green
197019701973Elizabeth II
2Albert Glass
197319731979Elizabeth II
2Albert Glass
197619731979Elizabeth II
Harold Green
197919791982Elizabeth II
Albert Glass
198219821985Elizabeth II
Harold Green
198519851988Elizabeth II
3Anne Green
198819881991Elizabeth II
4Lewis Glass
199119911994Elizabeth II
5James Glass
199419942003Elizabeth II
5James Glass
199719942003Elizabeth II
5James Glass
200019942003Elizabeth II
Anne Green
200320032007Elizabeth II
6Conrad Glass
20072007April 2010Elizabeth II
7Ian Lavarello
2010April 2010April 2019Elizabeth II
7Ian Lavarello
2013April 2010April 2019Elizabeth II
7Ian Lavarello
2016April 2010April 2019Elizabeth II
James Glass
2019April 20192025Elizabeth II
James Glass
2022April 20192025Charles III
Ian Lavarello
20252025IncumbentCharles III

Timeline of chief islanders

This is a graphical lifespan timeline of chief islanders of Tristan da Cunha. They are listed in order of first assuming office.