When Parliament is in session look for members wearing their traditional powdered wigs, reflecting our adherence to British-style traditions — traditions that include a stable, efficient government.
Bermuda is officially a British overseas territory, but we enjoy a high degree of self-rule. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II does act as our formal head of state and appoints a Governor — currently Sir John Vereker, KCB — to represent her in Bermuda.
Our Government consists of the Governor, a Premier, a Cabinet, and a Parliament comprised of an appointed Senate and the elected House of Assembly.
The Governor
- The Queen's appointed representative
- Appoints the Premier on advice of members of the House of Assembly
- Responsible for defence, police, internal security and external affairs
The Premier
- The head of Government who nominates the Cabinet
- The leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Assembly
- Our Premier is Dr. The Hon. Ewart F. Brown, JP, MP
House of Assembly
- Comprised of 36 members elected by eligible voters in a general election held every four or five years
- The largest minority political party becomes the Opposition with its own Leader and Shadow Cabinet
The Senate
- Comprised of 11 members, five of whom are appointed by the Governor on advice of the Premier, three by the Leader of the Opposition, three directly by the Governor
- To become law, legislation must be passed by the House of Assembly and approved by the Senate and the Governor
Major Political Parties
- Two major political parties: Progressive Labour Party (PLP) and the United Bermuda Party (UBP)
- The PLP won the most recent election held in December 2007
- Our Premier, Dr. The Hon. Ewart F. Brown, JP, MP is a PLP member
