Tristan da Cunha Island Council

21st Century Island Council

There are no political parties or trade unions on Tristan. However, democracy is alive and well in the form of an Island Council consisting of the Administrator as President, plus three appointed and eight elected members. At least one member of the council must be a woman.

A separate election is held for the post of Chief Islander.

When first appointed, the Island Council select a Vice President.
Members are also appointed to the Council's Sub Committees,
which supervise a range of activities and submit regular reports
for the Council to consider at future meetings.

The Tristan da Cunha Coat of Arms is shown right >

Island Council elections are held every three years and the current island council will serve from 2019-2022.
See details of the 2019 Council and Chief Islander Elections on: 2019 Election Results page.

Administrator Fiona Kilpatrick with Island Councillors in The Residency on 24th January 2020
after a ceremony when she was worn in as the first lady Tristan da Cunha Administrator,
and President of the Island Council. Fiona enters into a first Joint Administration
with her husband Steve Townsend, and they plan to rotate the role in three-month blocks.

Steve Townsends' photo shows - left to right: Paul Repetto, Steve Swain, Administrator Fiona Kilpatrick,
Chief Islander James Glass, Rodney Green, Ian Lavarello, 
Warren Glass, Dawn Repetto, Carlene Glass-Green and Kelly Green.

Island Councillors absent were Jason Green and Clive Glass, both of whom were overseas.

Government Building

The only 2 storey building on the island (the lower floor houses the Internet Cafe) is usually called the Administration Building or the 'H'admin Building' by islanders. It contains the Administrator's Office, Treasury Department, Administration Offices and the Council Chamber where Island Council meetings are held.