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By Keith Archibald Forbes (see About Us) exclusively for Bermuda Online
To refer to this webfile, please use "bermuda-online.org/colonial" as your Subject
Her Majesty the Queen is Bermuda's official Head of State.
What Bermuda has with the UK is a colonial relationship which costs the Bermuda taxpayers $2 million a year. It is for the upkeep of the palatial Government House and its 30-plus pristine acres - at a time when land is at a premium in Bermuda - and for the Governor and Deputy Governor's salary and their cars, their security, their travel, their housekeepers and their maidservants.
Bermuda and the other Overseas Territories have a new British Minister looking after their affairs.
Gillian Merron MP was appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Ms Merron who was elected MP for Lincoln in 1997 has done a string of junior Government jobs, most recently she did a ten-month stint in the Department for International Development. She has also been a Government Whip and an Assistant Government Whip, as well as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Minister for Defence Procurement and the Minister for the Armed Forces.The FCO is represented in Bermuda by His Excellency the Governor and Deputy Governor, Government House, 11 Langton Hill, Pembroke HM 13. 11 Langton Hill, Pembroke HM 13. Telephone 441 292-1271. Governor's Office Fax 441 292 2256. Deputy Governor's Office Fax 441 292 1913. Its email address is depgov@ibl.bm.
The Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Bermuda is appointed by The Queen (on the advice of the British Government in London) after consultation with the Premier of Bermuda.
The Governor of Bermuda from December 2007 is career diplomat Sir Richard Gozney, former British High Commissioner in Nigeria and Her Majesty's Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Benin and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. Sir Richard has worked in Argentina, Indonesia and Swaziland and at the Foreign Commonwealth Office as Head of Section for NATO nuclear arms control, Principal Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary and Head of Security Policy Department. He was awarded the Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 2006. He graduated from St Edmund Hall at the University of Oxford in 1973 with a Bachelors in Geology. His wife is Lady Diana Gozney. They live at Government House, 11 Langton Hill, Pembroke HM 13 phone 441 292-1271, Governor's Office Fax 441 292 2256. Until he arrived, Deputy Governor Mark Capes (Deputy Governor's Office Fax 441 292 1913, acted as Governor. The Governor from April 2002 to October 12, 2007 was Sir John Vereker. His wife Judy - Lady Vereker - was a native Washingtonian.
His Excellency the Governor has his own Flag of Office. It is a Union Jack but in its center it has the Bermuda arms on a white disc encircled by a green garland. Uniforms for the Governor are made in London by Davies & Sons. They include a full dress blue and tropical cotton drill. It is based on old British military Field Marshals, with a white pith helmet with dyed scarlet swan's feathers plumage and Mameluke sword by Wilkinson Sword. The price of about $10,000 is met by the British Government. The official car used by the Governor features a crown instead of a license plate, with extra large width, length and horsepower by Bermuda standards and the Governor's Flag.
The main challenge for a Bermuda Governor is to balance two sometimes contradictory functions. First, he is the primary source of information from Bermuda to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the state of affairs in Bermuda. Second, he is the voice of the United Kingdom and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for advising Bermudians what they can and cannot do under British/United Kingdom laws. The salaries of the Governor, Deputy Governor and their staff are paid by Bermuda's taxpayers, NOT the British Government. Bermuda, despite its tiny size, is wealthy enough not to need the support from the United Kingdom some other overseas territories get.
The duties of the Deputy Governor include being an ex-officio notary public who can perform or notarize anything on behalf of the Bermuda Government but may not receive a fee for this service. He is married, with 2 grown-up daughters overseas and a dog. He served as a British diplomat in Belgium, Portugal, Yugoslavia, Jordan, Nigeria, Austria, Turks and Caicos and most recently Anguilla. From 1994-1999 he was First Secretary Economic and Environment in New Zealand before becoming Deputy Governor in Anguilla. During his most recent spell in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London, from 1999 to 2002, Mr. Capes was Deputy Head of Parliamentary Relations and Devolution Department, in which capacity he also served as Foreign Affairs Advisor to the UK Branch of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
His Excellency the Governor has his own Flag of Office. It is a Union Jack but in its center it has the Bermuda arms on a white disc encircled by a green garland. Uniforms for the Governor are made in London by Davies & Sons. They include a full dress blue and tropical cotton drill. It is based on old British military Field Marshals, with a white pith helmet with dyed scarlet swan's feathers plumage and Mameluke sword by Wilkinson Sword. The price of about $10,000 is met by the British Government. The official car used by the Governor features a crown instead of a license plate, with extra large width, length and horsepower by Bermuda standards and the Governor's Flag.
The main challenge for a Bermuda Governor is to balance two sometimes contradictory functions. First, he is the primary source of information from Bermuda to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the state of affairs in Bermuda. Second, he is the voice of the United Kingdom and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for advising Bermudians what they can and cannot do under British/United Kingdom laws. The salaries of the Governor, Deputy Governor and their staff are paid by Bermuda's taxpayers, NOT the British Government. Bermuda, despite its tiny size, is wealthy enough not to need the support from the United Kingdom some other overseas territories get.
The Deputy Governor's office includes being an ex-officio notary public who can perform or notarize anything on behalf of the Bermuda Government but may not receive a fee for this service. Mark Capes is married, with 2 grown-up daughters overseas and a dog. He served as a British diplomat in Belgium, Portugal, Yugoslavia, Jordan, Nigeria, Austria, Turks and Caicos and most recently Anguilla. From 1994-1999 he was First Secretary Economic and Environment in New Zealand before becoming Deputy Governor in Anguilla. During his most recent spell in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London, from 1999 to 2002, Mr. Capes was Deputy Head of Parliamentary Relations and Devolution Department, in which capacity he also served as Foreign Affairs Advisor to the UK Branch of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
The Governor and Deputy Governor have direct access to security advice in Washington DC and London from senior British representatives.
One of the functions of the British Governor is to read the Throne Speech. In Britain, the Queen reads the speech and in British Commonwealth countries, Governors or Governors General do.
The Government of Bermuda is self governing (except for defense, external affairs and internal security) - independent of the United Kingdom in all internal matters and with its own set of laws. The same applies in the Channel Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Brechou, Great Sark, Little Sark, Herm, Jethou and Lihou) of Great Britain, near France and Isle of Man between Britain and Ireland.
Many Americans visiting Bermuda assume, wrongly, that British-UK laws apply. They do not. Bermuda laws do and are much more restrictive to non-nationals than any British, USA, Canadian, Caribbean, Australian, New Zealand and other democratic country laws.
Bermudians since 21 May 2002 can get full British/EC passports and British citizenship virtually automatically, usually within a month and without any of the requirements and lengthy delays for non-British people living in the UK to get citizenship. Nor do they have to sear allegiance as do new UK citizens living in the UK. Also, they can live and work in UK and any EC country; buy any property they can afford; can register there to vote immediately and can do so in any UK or EC election; and if they physically live in the UK instead of returning to Bermuda on holiday, can get internal UK educational fees and more. But Bermuda does not come under EC laws. UK nationals should note that British laws do not apply in Bermuda, Bermudian laws do; Britons and European Economic Community (EEC) citizens do not have any of the same rights to live, be domiciled, be employed and retire here as they do in the United Kingdom or EEC. For those who want to work in Bermuda, Work Permits apply just as much in every way to Britons and Europeans as to Philippine nationals or Mongolians. Britons who are not also Bermudians have none of the rights that Bermudians in the UK now have if they apply for UK passports. It was the UK Government - and presumably the EEC too - that approved quite recently that Bermudians could have, on application, a UK passport and be treated as full UK nationals in every other way, but that Britons in Bermuda who are not also Bermudian would not have reciprocal rights.
About 66% of the resident population of Bermuda is black. About 33% are white or other races.
In 1977, possible political independence for Bermuda from the UK was first reviewed comprehensively in a Green Paper, followed by a White Paper stating Government's view Bermuda was not ready. Bermudians rejected political independence on August 16, 1995 in a national referendum. In 1995, the great majority of those who participated in the 1995 referendum felt there were no economic benefits, only potential additional liabilities costly to bear, especially with the huge burden Bermuda taxpayers (and visitors) already have to bear for 47 politicians in less than 21 square miles and civil servants amounting to more than 15 percent of the entire workforce. Bermuda was the first British Commonwealth country to have a referendum on independence under the previous Bermuda Government. But it was boycotted by the Progressive Labour Party (the Bermuda Government since November 1998) and the results may not be accurate. It is not likely the present Bermuda Government will go this same democratic route. Based on what current PLP politicians and pundits are saying, independence is a foregone conclusion. But none say what the cost will be to Bermuda taxpayers of an already hugely inflated cost of government by international standards.
In January 2005, the latest unofficial poll, taken among a small group of people, suggests that more than 60% of the population are not in favor of independence. Not stated in the poll or in any comments or press columns to date on possible independence is whether both those voting for independence and those against have thought of the implications of complying with current UN, USA, Canada, UK and European Community fundamental Human Rights requirements relating to citizenship, namely citizenship after 3 years if married to a Bermudian, 5 years otherwise, similar to what the USA, United Kingdom, Australia, other major countries, Grenada and other Caribbean islands offer. (Currently, citizenship for a non-Bermudian spouse is after 10 years of marriage to a Bermudian and no further citizenships are given to non-Bermudians with no Bermudian spouse, or children born there when neither parent is Bermudian. In most countries which are members of the UN, citizenship applies automatically to every child born there).
A Bermuda Independence Commission, Bermuda Government established in 2004, published in September 2005 a 600-page report as public opinion on political independence. The Premier has gone on record as saying he does not want a referendum on the topic, he expects the legislature to adopt it.
In March 2008 members of the UK's House of Commons multiparty Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) visited Bermuda. The FAC is appointed by the House of Commons and comprises 14 back bench Members of Parliament from Government and Opposition parties, and reflects the views of the membership of the House as a whole. The FAC's function is to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) which includes the diplomatic service. FAC members are:
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Following their visit they recommended phasing out conscription, a review of voting rights for long-term residents and the outlawing of discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The 171-page report on the Overseas Territories by the Foreign Affairs Committee goes on to recommend that the UK Government encourage Bermuda to strengthen its transparency measures, including establishing an independent Electoral Commission and ending the practice of committees of the House of Assembly sitting in secret. And one passage of the report says: "We recommend that the Government sets out in its response to this report the steps it has taken to ensure that allegations of corruption at the Bermuda Housing Corporation, in the issuing of contracts, and of electoral fraud in Bermuda are properly investigated." The report noted submissions from Bermudians alleging Government improprieties, including claims that contracts were given to the party faithful, while Special Development Orders had not been handled in a transparent manner. And concerns were raised about the arrest of the Auditor General who was also thrown out of his office while he was off the Island. The MPs wrote: "During our visit to Bermuda, the Governor told us that his predecessor had objected strongly to the Bermuda government at the time." In a chapter on items relevant to Bermuda the team of MPs recommended that the UK Government take steps to ensure that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender status is made illegal in all Overseas Territories (OTs). While recognizing that extending voting rights to 'non-Belongers' will be politically difficult for OT governments, the UK Government was urged to at least encourage local administrations to review this issue with regard to non-Belongers who have resided in an Overseas Territory for a reasonable period. The FAC recommended Government should propose that non-Belongers' rights be an agenda item for the next Overseas Territories Consultative Council (OTCC). The Committee also wants the UK to urge the Bermuda government to move away from conscription and towards the Bermuda Regiment becoming a more professional organisation, with voluntary and paid elements. The UK MPs argued this could make serving in the Regiment more attractive, giving the staffing resources required to extend into maritime duties. The FAC recommends that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) should also strongly encourage all Overseas Territories which have not yet done so to introduce freedom of information legislation. The report said the FCO should review with Overseas Territories what steps they might take to improve their public accounting and auditing capability. And the FAC backed a recent report by fellow British MPs on the Public Accounts Committee's which recommended that the FCO should explore how Overseas Territories might make better use of UK expertise and that it should also explore whether those Territories with Public Accounts Committees could make more use of ex-officio members. The FAC also wants the Foreign and Commonwealth office to encourage Bermuda to continue to improve financial regulation, in particular in money laundering investigations. The report noted that Bermuda is the only Overseas Territory whose government favours independence but that opinion polls still showed a majority against splitting from Britain. The MPs said they were pleased with hints by UK Overseas Territories Minister Meg Munn that an election of a party by a tiny majority in low turnout election would not be acceptable as a way of taking the country to independence. In a press release accompanying the release of the findings Committee chairman, Mike Gapes MP, said: "This is a wide-ranging report considering the FCO's discharge of its responsibilities with regard to the UK's 14 Overseas Territories and making recommendations across these Territories. "We considered the FCO's management of the risks and contingent liabilities to which Overseas Territories expose the UK. We recommend that the FCO should encourage Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and Gibraltar to continue to make progress in improving financial regulation, in particular in arrangements for investigating money laundering. Overall, we have concluded that, in some cases, the FCO's approach has been too hands-off. The FCO must take its oversight responsibilities for the Overseas Territories more seriously."For full report sent to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office see
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmfaff/147/147i.pdf.In June 009, without the knowledge of Bermuda's Governor, or Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London, but arranged in a sneaky and underhand way between Bermuda's Premier, The United States Consul General in Bermuda and the United States government, four Uighur men were released from US custody at Guantanamo Bay and were flown secretly to Bermuda. Tensions between Bermuda and Whitehall reached fever pitch with Governor Richard Gozney calling the move 'invalid' and 'unacceptable.' As a British Overseas Territory, Bermuda is obligated to consult Britain on matters of foreign affairs and security. Both the Bermuda Government and the United States Consul General in Bermuda and its Government deliberately failed to do this. Taking in the Uighur detainees, who were conditionally cleared of wrongdoing by the USA, thrust the tension between the two countries into the international media spotlight. The Uighurs are rightly banned from ever going back to the USA for having accepted training from al Qaeda and taken part in terrorism.
Even though Bermuda is a tiny (only 21 square miles it total land area) British Overseas Territory, has substantially more legislative freedom from the United Kingdom than even England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For example, unlike Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales it has its own Finance, Health, Social Services and its own laws. It is not tied to any laws of England or the United Kingdom or those of Europe.. Only in external affairs, some aspects of the judiciary, some areas of defence and some areas of the police is Bermuda subject to UK oversight. Many of the laws existing in the United Kingdom do not exist in Bermuda.
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Despite Bermuda's North American (not Caribbean) geography only 600 miles from the US East Coast, most of Bermuda's roots are British. Bermudians are linked to Britain in culture, habits, names of places, public holidays, driving on the left, systems of high taxation on gasoline (petrol), vehicles and more, Westminster style of Government, and sports like cricket, golf and soccer. The British declared slavery illegal and took measures to stamp it out, decades before any action was taken in the USA. Many Bermudians do not know how their economy was at one time completely dependent on Britain. |
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British officials in the USA and Britain
are often influential in Bermuda's affairs. British
Information Services in New York answers questions about Britain and provides up to
date Government comment on current events involving Britain. The
Foreign & Commonwealth Office, at King Charles Street, London SW1 A2AH,
England, telephone (011) 44-207-2701500 or fax 44-207-2702148 is the British Government department responsible for
Bermuda's overseas relations and foreign affairs.
Bermuda has chosen not to be treated as one of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union (EU). According to Steven Hillebrink, The Netherlands, formerly of Leiden University there, Bermuda is an OCT because it is placed on Annex II of the EC Treaty (and will be on a similar annex to the EU Constitution), but does not fall under the scope of the OCT Decisions that the Council takes every 10 years, at its own request. It is believed Bermuda made this request principally because it does not wish to comply with EU Human Rights legislation, and for other reasons. The UK had no objection to this request.
There are no reciprocal arrangements with the United Kingdom or Canada or USA or any Caribbean island for mutual recognition of driving licenses. Even with such overseas driving licenses, newcomers must take and pass the same full written and driving tests as those who have never used them before, in order to drive a car or motor cycle or scooter or auxiliary cycle in Bermuda. Many countries - but not Bermuda - have such reciprocal arrangements. It means that when Bermudians or non-Bermudian newcomers go to the UK to work or study, they are not allowed to have the same arrangements there as do those holding driving licenses from Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Malta, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and Switzerland.
It is up to Bermuda to make similar reciprocal arrangements and so far this has not been done.
And even though Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory and Britain is part of the European Community, Bermudians in Britain cannot claim EC/EAA driving rights. However, they may drive on their Bermuda licences for up to one year. But the same gesture is not extended by the Bermuda Government to newcomers retiring or working or visiting Bermuda. There is a double irony in that some persons still or formerly Bermudian who no longer live in Bermuda but visit from time to time and have current Bermuda driving licences, do drive cars in Bermuda.
| Bermuda size & population | 20.75 (Twenty point seven five) square miles in total. 68,500 residents |
| Resident population density per square mile | 3,301 (Three thousand, three hundred and one). Third highest in the world |
| Government Code of Conduct for legislators | None. There is a voluntary code, with no legislative teeth. It is ignored by some. No equivalent at all of the UK's Ethical Standards in Public Life Act. |
| Number in Cabinet | 13. Same number as USA, equivalent in Bermuda to 0.63 (Point six three) per square mile. They have "The Honorable" before their name. |
| Number of elected legislators in House of Assembly and their salaries | 36. Equivalent to 1.93 (One point nine three) per square mile. They have "MP" for Member of Parliament after their name. In 2004, all MPs earned a minimum of $38.171. If they are also Cabinet Ministers, they earn well in excess of $100,000 a year, plus unlimited expenses. |
| Number of appointed politicians in Senate | 11. Equivalent to 0.53 (Point five three) per square mile. They have "Senator" before their name. In 2004, all Senators earned a minimum of $25,519.20. If they are also Cabinet Ministers, they earn this plus what is shown above under "Number of elected legislators." |
| Number of Government Boards | About 108. All require the approval of the Premier who controls all Public Information. See Bermuda Government Boards separate website shown at the end of this file. |
| Number of Police | About 460, over 20 per square mile. Plus, there are Reserve officers. |
| Number in Bermuda Regiment | All Bermudian, the authorized strength of which is 600 members, or 28.92 (twenty eight point nine two) per square mile, mostly part time. |
| Registered voters who can participate in a General Election | Total number of registered voters in November 2007 (registered for the December 2007 General Election) is 42,337. It is an increase of 3,000 compared to 2004. |
Between The Progressive Labour Party (PLP) - in Government since 1998 - and United Bermuda Party (UBP) - in Opposition. The PLP remained as the Government by winning 22 seats to the UBP's 14. The UBP lost several key seats.
Opened on February 2, 2009 by Premier Ewart Brown, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office representatives, MPs and former Governors. They were among those attending the reception at 6 Arlington Street. The Bermuda Government's London Office there covers 2,600 sq ft and is situated in the same building as the office for the Cayman Islands, in the City of Westminster. The primary focus of the Office will be Bermuda Government relations with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and British Members of Parliament. The space and staff are also available to Bermuda Government Ministries as the need arises."
Bermudian Kimberley Durrant leads a staff of between three and five people, as office manager. Ms Durrant, who will act as the Island's lead representative in London, has previously worked for the Supreme Court of Bermuda and Oxford City Council. She holds a postgraduate law degree from the University of Buckingham and a postgraduate degree from the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice. Plans for a Bermuda London Office were outlined in the Finance Minister's 2008-2009 Budget Statement. Finance Minister and Deputy Premier Paula Cox announced the Cabinet Office had been allotted more than $822,000 to establish a rented "representative office" in the UK. Former Governors Lord Waddington, Thorold Masefield and Sir John Vereker joined representatives from Bermuda-based international companies and other British Overseas Territories at the official opening. About 2 dozen guests attended, with a snowstorm preventing others from coming. UK Overseas Territories Minister Gillian Merron said: "I congratulate the Government of Bermuda on the opening of its first London Office. This is an important first step which will raise Bermuda's profile in London and send out a positive message in these difficult economic times. Other guests included former UK Minister and MP Meg Munn, Andrew Tuggey of the UK Branch Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Director of Overseas Territories' affairs at the FCO Colin Roberts.
Government House has direct responsibility for the operational side of Policing with the Police Commissioner reporting directly to Governor Sir John Vereker, while budgeting and manpower is Government’s responsibility. Paid for by Bermuda - not British - taxpayers and coming under Bermuda - not British - laws. Periodic visits are made by Britain's senior advisor for Dependent Territory Police Forces, or a former Chief Constable of a UK Police Service. He makes periodic recommendations to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Formed in London in 1987 to look after Bermuda's interests on a number of fronts, particularly in the areas of finance and commerce. Its membership includes some Bermudians living in London and rest of UK who wish to and qualify to join and pay the annual membership fee, plus former Governors of Bermuda. It promotes Bermuda's image; fosters closer links between Bermuda, the UK and Europe. works with BIBA and others and Bermudian students in the UK.
Where "President" is shown, it means President of the locally appointed Executive Council, not a US-style title.
| Name | Date | Title if not Governor, or remarks |
| Richard Moore | 1612 | |
| 6 Commissioners | 1615, 29 June | Provisional Government |
| Daniel Tucker | 1616, May | |
| Miles Kendall | 1619 | Temporary |
| Nathaniel Butler | 1619, October | |
| John Harrison | 1622, 25 October | Sherriff, temporary |
| John Bernard | 1622, November | Died in office |
| John Harrison | Temporary | |
| Henry Woodhouse | 1623, December | |
| Phillip Bell | 1626, 20 September | |
| Roger Wood | 1629, 29 August | |
| Thomas Chaddock | 1637, July | |
| William Sayle | 1641 | |
| Josias Forster | 1642 | |
| William Sayle | 1643 | |
| William Sayle, Stephen Paynter, William Wilkinson | 1644 | Triumvirate |
| Josias Forster | 1645 | |
| Jonathan Turner | 1647 | |
| John Trimingham | 1649, 25 September | |
| John Jennings | 1650 | |
| Josias Forster | 1650, November | |
| William Sayle | 1659, 3 January |
| Florentius Seymour | 1663, 12 January | |
| Samuel Whalley | 1668, 15 May | |
| Sir John Heydon | 1669, 15 May | |
| Florentius Seymour | 1681, 30 May | Died in office 3 Nov 1682 |
| Henry Durham | 1682, 9 November | Temporary |
| Col. Richard Coney | 1683, 29 January | End of Bermuda Company Charter |
| Col Richard Coney | 1685-1687 | 1st Governor under Crown |
| Sir Robert Robinson | 1687, 12 April-1690, 20 June | |
| Isaac Richier | 1691-1693 | Lieutenant Governor |
| John Goddard | 1693-1696 | |
| Samuel Day | 1698, 20 Oct-1700, 18 December | Lieutenant Governor |
| Benjamin Bennett | 1701, 2 May- 1713 | |
| Henry Pulleine | 1713-1718 | Lieutenant Governor |
| Benjamin Bennett | 1718-1722 |
| John Hope | 1722-1727 | |
| John Trimingham | 1727, November-1728, August | President |
| John Pitt | 1728-1737 | |
| Andrew Auchinleck | 1737, Dec-1738, May | President |
| Alured Popple | 1738, 2 Aug-1744, 9 November | |
| Francis Jones | 1744, Nov-1747, June | President |
| William Popple | 1747, July-1751, November | |
| Francis Jones | 1751, November-1755, November | President |
| William Popple | 1755, November-1763, December | |
| Francis Jones | 1763, December- 1764, August | President |
| George James Bruere | 1764, August-1780, August | |
| Thomas Jones | 1780, September-October | President |
| George Bruere | 1780, October-1781, December | Lieutenant Governor |
| William Browne | 1782, January-1788, October | American Loyalist |
| Henry Hamilton | 1788, October-1794, October | Initially Lieutenant Governor, then Governor |
| James Crauford | 1794, 8 November- 1796, 27 October | |
| Henry Tucker | 1796, 27 October -22 November | President |
| William Campbell | 1796, 22 November-1 December | |
| Henry Tucker | 1796, December-1798, February | President |
| George Beckwith | 1798, February-1803, March | |
| Henry Tucker | 1803, April-1805, April | President |
| Francis Gore | 1805, May-1806, June | Lieutenant Governor |
| Henry Tucker | 1806, June 13-July 31 | President |
| John Hodgson | 1806, July-1810, June | |
| Samuel Trott | 1810, June-1811, August | President |
| Sir James Cockburn | 1811, August-1819, April | |
| William Smith | 1812, 4 July-14 September | President |
| George Horsford | 1812, September-July 1814 | Lieutenant Governor |
| William Smith | 1816, July-1817, November | President |
| Sir James Cockburn | 1817, November-1819, April | |
| William Smith | 1819, 15 April-25 November | President |
| Sir William Lumley | 1819, November-1822, May | |
| William Smith | 1822, May- 1823, October | President |
| Sir William Lumley | 1823, October-1825, June | |
| William Smith | 1825, June-1826, February | President |
| Sir Hilgrove Turner | 1826, February- 1829, July | |
| Robert Kennedy | 1829, July-November | Acting |
| Sir Hilgrove Turner | 1829, November-1830, July | |
| Robert Kennedy | 1830, July -November | Acting |
| Sir Hilgrove Turner | 1830, November-1832, January | |
| Sir RS Chapman | 1832, January-1835, April | |
| Henry G Hunt | 1835, April-September | Acting |
| Robert Kennedy | 1835, September-1836, January | Acting |
| Sir RS Chapman | 1836, January-1839, April | |
| William Reid | 1839, April-1846, November | |
| W N Hutchinson | 1846, November-December | Acting |
| Charles Elliott | 1846, December-1852, August | |
| W Hassell Eden | 1852, August-1853, May | Acting |
| George Philpots | 1853, May-September | Acting |
| Thomas C Robe | 1853, September | Acting |
| Soulden Oakley | 1853, September-October | Acting |
| Arthur W Byles | 1853, October-November | Acting |
| Charles Elliott | 1853, November- 1854, February | |
| Montgomery Williams | 1854, February-October | Acting |
| Freeman Murray | 1854, October-1859, June | |
| A T Hemphill | 1859, June-October | Acting |
| William Munroe | 1859, October-1860, February | Acting |
| Freeman Murray | 1860, February- 1861, March | |
| H. St George Ord | 1861, March- 1864, June | |
| William Munroe | 1864, June-July | Lieutenant Governor |
| W G Hamley | 1864, July-1865, October | Lieutenant Governor |
| H. St George Ord | 1865, October-1866, November | |
| W G Hamley | 1866, Nov-1867, April | Lieutenant Governor |
| Arnold Thompson | 1867, April | Acting |
| Sir F E Chapman | 1867, April-1870, May | |
| W F Brett | 1870, May-September | Lieutenant Governor |
| T Gore Brown | 1870, September-1871, April | Administrator |
| A A C Fisher | 1871, April-May | Acting |
| John Henry Lefroy | 1871 - 1877 |
(Referred to here in this way, and not simply as the "Commonwealth" because several US states and also other countries use the name "Commonwealth"). Bermuda is the fourth oldest of all countries, islands and territories in the British Commonwealth of Nations after England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Canada. See Bermuda History with the Old and New Worlds since 1500.
Bermuda is one of the fourteen (14) Overseas Territories of Britain. Here is the complete list in alphabetical order of small countries in this category:
| Anguilla | 96 | 10,000 |
| Ascension Island | 88 | 1,099 |
| Bermuda | 53.3 (20.75 square miles) | 62,400 |
| British Antarctica (South Sheffield Islands, South Orkneys and Graham's Land) | 1.7 | 0 (3 survey stations operated by 50 to 150 people) |
| British Indian Ocean Territory (Diego Garcia) | 54,000 | 2,000 American and British military personnel and 1,000 civilians. |
| British Virgin Islands | 153 | 16,100 |
| Cayman Islands (Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac) | 259 | 32,000 |
| Falkland Islands (including South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands) | 12,173 | 2,121 |
| Gibraltar | 6.5 | 32,000 |
| Montserrat | 102 | 11,000 |
| Pitcairn Islands (including Henderson, Ducie and Oeno) | 35.5 | 54 |
| St. Helena | 122 | 5.664 |
| Tristan da Cunha | 38 | 295 |
| Turks & Caicos | 500 | 12,350 |
As there are other places with Commonwealths - for example, some American states - the phrase "British Commonwealth of Nations" distinguishes them from other commonwealths. British Commonwealth of Nations countries are in two categories:
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The Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the Governor is a Bermuda Regiment officer. He used to be a British Army officer on a secondment of about 2 years but this was stopped after both the Governor and his ADC - Captain Hugh Sayers, Welsh Guards - were assassinated in March 1973 while walking in the grounds of Government House. The ADC is the equivalent of an Equerry in the UK.
The Bermuda Regiment has 5.56mm Standard NATO Self Loading Rifles (SLRs) firing 5.56 rounds or (blanks). The only non-lethal options are the wooden baton, CS (tear gas) and the rubber bullet, and permission is needed from the Governor to use the two latter. The Bermuda Police Service is reluctant to ask for help from the Regiment because most are conscripted soldiers, often disgruntled. The Regiment is only operationally capable of fulfilling one of its two roles – providing support for the community in the case of a natural disaster. A mostly conscripted regiment is not of much use for internal security, even in emergency situations, as was proved in the 1977 riots. The Regiment doesn't serve any operational purpose such as providing cordons for assaulting ERT teams, or access to criminal records to execute warrants. It's radio frequencies don't cross over with Police, so there is no direct communication directly with them. The equipment is inadequate and obsolete compared to what the police have. Examples include no ballistic helmets, no body armour for every soldier (unlike police), inadequate handcuffs, 1980s radios, no armoured vehicles (soldiers travel in camouflage painted PTB buses). The armoury has no shrapnel grenades, ammunition is tightly rationed, there are no explosives, there are only eight revolvers for service pistols, the four 7.62mm machine guns are normally out of service with one working occasionally. One of their four boats is operational, the other three are used for parts. A private soldier receives about $600 for a year of service, are not involved in decisions affecting them and work overtime without reasonable overtime pay. They get around $15 from 6.45-10.15 pm, a typical drill. They need 40 drills a year to get their $600 a year. It is cheap labour, one reason Government won't abolish conscription. The last two Ministry of Defence evaluations of the Regiment have been poor with problems no army should have – bad communication, poor equipment and a gap between officers and enlisted men. The regiment gets a D grade, to barely fulfill operational requirements.
In early 2007, the group Bermudians Against the Draft (BAD) was formed, as campaigners fighting to end compulsory military service. They issued a court summons against the Governor, Deputy Governor and Attorney General. This alleged that the ballot which chooses conscripts is gender-biased and a breach of human rights because only men are picked, not women. BAD believes Bermudian men are treated unfairly as citizens of a British Overseas Territory in being expected to serve, as Britain formally ended national service in 1960. The organisation also made allegations of ill-treatment of conscripts at Warwick Camp. Members hoped but in vain that the outcome of their legal action would be a Supreme Court ruling outlawing the draft for good. They have vowed to take the case all the way to the European Court of Justice if necessary.
Early In March 2008, anti-draft campaigners met British MPs - telling them Bermudian men should have the same rights as those in the UK where conscription was abolished decades ago. Bermudians Against the Draft (B.A.D) requested the meeting with British MPs visiting from England, representatives from the Foreign Affairs Committee, including anti conscription MP Andrew MacKinlay, after sending written complaints last year. The MPs were probing standards of good governance, transparency and accountability, the role of Governors and regulation of the financial sector. The committee was made up of back bench MPs from Government and Opposition parties who will make recommendations to the British Parliament. B.A.D founder Larry Marshall Sr. said he pointed to a statement from the then British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw in 2006 saying citizens of overseas territories should have the same rights as enjoyed in Britain. Conscription was abolished there in the aftermath of the Second World War and Bermuda is the only overseas territory where men are made to do mandatory military service.
The report of the UK's Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) is expected to be completed by the summer and the UK Government will have to respond within two months. Visit the website at www.parliament.uk/facom.
But on March 7, 2008 the Chief Justice of Bermuda ruled against them, under Bermuda law. It remains to be seen whether the findings will be overturned by British MPs, or whether it will go the European Court of Justice.
The Old Town was once a garrison town for British troops. Until 1954, they were also at Fort Prospect in Devonshire Parish. Britain once had a huge Royal Naval Dockyard and also built a protective ring of British forts in Bermuda. It provided employment and training for thousands of Bermudians. An active Royal Artillery Association club is in the City of Hamilton and at Barrack Hill, St. George's and there are also an active local Royal Naval Association and an active Royal Air Force Association Club.
The many close business ties with the United Kingdom help maintain the confidence of the international community in the integrity of Bermuda's financial institutions. The Governor of the Bank of England visits Bermuda periodically. Personnel frequently advise the Bermuda Government's Ministry of Finance. Many long established British organizations have branches in Bermuda. Typical of these are the Bermuda Branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society, the St. John's Ambulance Brigade, and a number of business related professional entities.
Freemasons in Britain also have close links with Bermuda. See Freemasonry in Bermuda.
Civil Servants always get the top awards, with no transparency and business man and women getting nothing. Although it is the Queen who officially bestows the honours, the list is based on recommendations from the Premier of Bermuda, who in turn receives the names from civil servants in the Cabinet Office's ceremonial secretariat.
In contrast, in Britain, The Cabinet Office has reviewed the structure and membership of honours committees. It provides greater transparency and a greater independent input to the honours process while protecting the confidentiality of individual honours candidates and recipients, and of members of the assessment committees. Business people, sportsmen and women, entertainers, broadcasters and more get a fair share of honours.
In the UK, Hills Balfour is the Bermuda Government's Department of Tourism representative in London.
Visits to London by Bermuda Government Cabinet Ministers have proved valuable to Bermuda, especially when the United Kingdom's experience in a variety of fields is helpful to the Bermuda Government in situations involving the potential introduction of new policies. Many Bermudian civil servants over the years have been trained in the United Kingdom. Bermuda's British links provide Bermuda with pomp and ceremony on appropriate occasions. Even those who want political independence for Bermuda have agreed it helps bring in visitors.
Thousands of British United Kingdom nationals live and work in Bermuda. They are welcome but are treated as foreigners. Bermudians do not regard themselves as British - despite this being their only official nationality - but as Bermudian. Britons - those from Great Britain - do not have the same freedoms here in residing and working without restrictions as they have in Great Britain, Ireland and rest of the European Economic Community. Britons visiting Bermuda on business or vacation or as professional newcomers cannot get Bermuda citizenship or vote or buy real estate at the same price as Bermudians - unless they marry Bermudians. Any children born here are not Bermudian unless one parent is Bermudian, so they cannot apply for any local scholarships or grants for further education abroad (but have, as non-citizens, been conscripted into the Bermuda Regiment). Many parents and grown children have been on restrictive Work Permits for more than 20 years. If as expatriates they marry a Bermudian spouse, they must wait for 10 years to get Bermudian status and pay a hefty fee. In contrast, Bermudians can apply for a UK passport, get full United Kingdom and European citizenship immediately they get the passport and live, work, vote and buy any property they wish there. This one-sided arrangement was a British Government decision taken without any referendum from the British people.
See these files in particular:
Principally via Bermuda's Royal Gazette, a long term member of the CPU, Bermuda has excellent press Internet and print links with the rest of the Commonwealth.
Not celebrated at all in Bermuda, unlike in UK.
Bermuda follows the American pattern, not the British.
Unlike in Britain where all Armed Forces are volunteer, the Bermuda Regiment is 75% males-only conscripted, with those refusing to serve when ordered to do so hunted down and imprisoned. Summons issued publicly via the newspapers include individual names and last-known addresses of young men born in Bermuda but not Bermudian under Bermuda law unless a parent is - and who may no longer live in Bermuda. Under Bermuda's Defence Act, it is up to a parent or conscript to let the Regiment know of its error - not the Regiment to correct the error before a public summons is issued.
In the afternoon, the Governor hosts the Queen's Birthday Tea at Government House. Also, the Queen's Birthday Honors are announced a few days ahead of time, based on recommendations made to the Queen by the Cabinet Office of the Bermuda Government. Periodically, a Knighthood is awarded locally, or a Companion, Officer or Member of the British Empire. These more prestigious awards invariably go to serving or retired Bermuda Government legislators or civil servants. Lesser awards include the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honor.
Also see under Bermuda Government.
March 9, 2007. Efforts by an Opposition Minister to persuade Government to provide absentee voting at the next general election - in the same way absentee voting is not only allowed but encouraged in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom and Europe has has been for some time - were defeated. Shadow Minister for Legislative Reform and Justice John Barritt moved a motion in the House asking for the facility, which, he said, would help the housebound, those on vacation, and also Bermudians studying and working abroad. He said former PLP Premiers Jennifer Smith and Alex Scott had both backed the idea of voting by post, with this getting as far as draft legislation drawn up in 2005 under Mr. Scott. He pointed out that an average of 20-25 percent of those eligible to vote have not turned out at recent elections, and argued that an absentee vote could encompass around 1,000 people unable to vote in person at any given time. "This evening, the only argument we have is 'when?' and 'how soon will we get this?' and 'can we get this done when we come back (to Parliament) in May?'" said Mr. Barritt. However, Premier Ewart Brown successfully got the wording of the motion changed to one that said the Government would take note of "the need to continue research into electronic voting and proxy voting" in a 21-11 vote along party lines. Dr. Brown said the Progressive Labour Party was committed to extending the franchise in any way that is fair and can be implemented. However, speaking after his bid was defeated, Mr. Barritt said: "I was disappointed, most disappointed actually, not for myself or the Opposition but for the people of Bermuda — the voters. "What's clear from the amended motion Premier Brown put forward is that they had and have no intention of proceeding with absentee balloting for the next general election." He speculated: "My suspicion is that the Premier and his political advisors have made a crude political calculation here. They don't need or want absentee balloting on the basis that they won the last two elections without it so they've decided not to risk its introduction now."
Last Updated: July
2, 2009
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