Legislative Council
St Helena is governed within a democratic system where the people of St Helena elect members of the public to represent them in Legislative Council (LegCo). There are 12 Councillors in LegCo representing the whole Island, who among themselves then elect five members to sit on Executive Council (ExCo) which advises the Governor in most areas of government policy.
The system of governance reflects a Ministerial system. A Chief Minister is selected by secret ballot from amongst the 12 Elected Members. The Chief Minister then recommends to the Governor the appointment of 4 Minsters and together they form the Executive Council. The Attorney General is an ex-officio Member of the Executive Council.
Legislative Council members are the Law Makers of St Helena and meet formally in ‘the House’ to discuss important issues affecting the people of St Helena and decide ways on how they can be addressed.
Councillors may be contacted directly (see full list here) or through the Legislative Office Team Leader/Clerk of Councils on email: connie.johnson@sainthelena.gov.sh or telephone (00290) 22590.
Ministers
Each Minister will exercise general direction and policy control over departments assigned to them subject to the policies of Government.
- Education, Skills & Employment, Chief Minister Julie Thomas
- Safety, Security & Home Affairs Portfolio, Minister Jeffrey Ellick
- Treasury, Infrastructure & Sustainable Development Portfolio, Minister Mark Brooks
- Environment, Natural Resources & Planning Portfolio, Minister Christine Scipio
- Health and Social Care Portfolio, Minister Martin Henry
Chief Minister Julie Thomas
julie.thomas@sainthelena.gov.sh
Minister Mark Brooks
mark.brooks@sainthelena.gov.sh
Minister Christine Scipio
click on image for Bio
christine.scipio@sainthelena.gov.sh
Minister Martin Henry
martin.henry@sainthelena.gov.sh
Speaker & Deputy Speaker
Speaker.cgunnell@helanta.co.sh
click on image for Bio
DeputySpeaker.ccranfield@gmail.com
Councillors
cllr.midwinter@helanta.co.sh
click on image for Bio
councillor.aturner@gmail.com
councillor.gbrooks@helanta.co.sh
click on image for Bio
cs.essex@helanta.co.sh
councillor.rbargo@helanta.co.sh
Ronald.Coleman@helanta.co.sh
Karl.thrower@shgcouncil.com
To stand as a candidate for LegCo you must be over the age of 21 years and meet certain criteria (which can be viewed in the 2009 Constitution of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha).
To vote in the Elections you must be aged 17 and over, registered on the Electoral Roll and also meet certain criteria (also found in the Constitution).Standing Orders for Legislative Council Meeting