Bermuda Government


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About Bermuda

Bermuda's Government


	Bermuda’s Parliament

Ever since the American Colonies left the British fold under strained circumstances in 1783, Bermuda has had the distinction of having the oldest Parliament in the Commonwealth outside the British Isles. It met first in St Peter’s Church in the then-capital, St George’s on August 1, 1620, making this its 387th year of existence. . When the capital was moved to Hamilton, the Assembly met for some time in the Town Hall, in what is now known as the Old Fire Station on Front Street. It was moved to its present location on the hill behind in 1826, although the Sessions Building in which it meets was not completed until 1893.

Bermuda’s Government is modelled on that of the British Government. There are two houses of Parliament, the House of Assembly, whose members are elected and paid from 36 constituencies; and the upper house, the Senate, whose 11 members are appointed, 5 from the ruling party, 3 from the opposition and 3 independents chosen by the Governor. The Premier is chosen from the majority party, and appoints members of a Cabinet, which normally numbers about a dozen men and women. Cabinet Ministers are each responsible for the operation of Ministries and Departments of the public service.

The Governor, who is appointed by Her Majesty the Queen, has his own Governor’s Council (the Premier is a member), in which matters relating to his portfolio are discussed. He is responsible for the conduct of Defence, Internal Security (he controls the Police and the Bermuda Regiment operationally) and Foreign Affairs. He is also responsible for the appointment of judges, magistrates and court officials.

For more information go to the Bermuda Government web site.

Bermuda's Constitution

Freedom for Bermuda's People Bermuda’s Constitution was written in 1968. Just as the US Constitution does, it guarantees those basic human rights to which everyone living in a democracy is entitled, and protects individual freedoms of thought and religion, of speech, of movement, of choice, freedom from arbitrary arrest, the right to a fair trial, and freedom of the press. It is as advanced a constitution as is possible for a country that is still a British dependent territory.

Cabinet Building

Initially it was the Colonial Secretariat being completed in 1841 and remodeled in 1938. In 1968 it became the office of the Premier of Bermuda and the government of the day. It houses the Senate of Bermuda,which meets here every Wednesday while the House of Assembly is in session at Sessions House. The Senate Chamber is open to the public 9am - 5pm on weekdays except Tuesdays and public holidays. Interior walls have portraits of past Premiers and Senate presidents. There are many other important paintings you can see. There is a guided tour on Monday's from November to March.Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon and Bush; British Prime Ministers Macmillan, Heath and Thatcher; and Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and Prince Charles sat at the circular table.

Cenotaph at the Cabinet Building

The Cenotaph in front of the Cabinet Building is a replica of the famous war memorial Cenotaph at Whitehall, London. The flags presented are of the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and British Army, memorializing Bermudians were in those British military services, died in World Wars I & II and whose names are on the Cenotaph. Every Remembrance Day, November 11, there is a parade and wreath presentation around the Cenotaph.