The Island Council consists of the Administrator as President, plus three appointed and eight elected members. At least one member of the council must be a woman.

See also:

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.

Island Council elections are held every three years and the current island council will serve from 2022-2025. See the Island Council Election 2022 page for details.

The Tristan da Cunha Coat of Arms

Photograph of the new Island Council taken in the Council Chamber on 1st April 2022

Back Row: Joint Administrators and Presidents of the Council Fiona Kilpatrick and Steve Townsend
Middle Row: Rodney Green, Carlene Glass-Green, Ian Lavarello, Terence Green
Front Row: Chief Islander James Glass, Vera Glass, Conrad Glass
Island Councillors missing from the photograph: Steve Swain, Warren Glass
Anne Green and Beverley Swain.
For more on the Island Council see the Government News pages

Government Building

The only 2 storey building on the island (the lower floor houses the Internet Cafe) is sometimes referred to as 'Whitehall' or the 'H'admin Building' and contains the Administrator's Office, Treasury Department, Administration Offices and the Council Chamber where Island Council meetings are held.