# Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands is the political leader and head of government. The post of premier is the equivalent to chief minister or prime minister in other British Overseas Territories. It is the highest political level that can be attained within the British colonial system. Prior to 2006, the position was known as the Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The premier and Cabinet (consisting of all the most senior ministers) are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to King Charles III, to the Parliament , to their political party and ultimately to the electorate.
The current premier is Charles Washington Misick, since 20 February 2021.

## Constitutional background

A new constitution, after being laid in the Turks and Caicos Legislative Council and receiving Queen Elizabeth II's signature, entered into force on 9 August 2006. The new constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands changed the title of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to Premier and Deputy Premier.
On 14 August 2009, the United Kingdom suspended the Turks and Caicos' self-government after allegations of ministerial corruption. The prerogative of the ministerial government and the House of Assembly are vested in the islands' incumbent governor for a period of up to two years, with possible extensions.

## List

(Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)
PDM   PNP :
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Term of office | Term of office | Political party | Elected | Notes |
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Political party | Elected | Notes |
| Chief Ministers (1976–2006) |||||||||
| 1 | | James Alexander George Smith McCartney (1945–1980) | 31 August 1976 | 9 May 1980 | 3 years, 191 days | People's Democratic Movement | 1976 | Died in office |
| 2 | | Oswald Skippings (born 1953) | 19 June 1980 | 4 November 1980 | 138 days | People's Democratic Movement | — | First tenure |
| 3 | | Norman Saunders (born 1943) | 4 November 1980 | 28 March 1985 | 4 years, 144 days | Progressive National Party | 1980 1984 | |
| 4 | | Nathaniel Francis (1912–2004) | 28 March 1985 | 25 July 1986 | 1 year, 119 days | Progressive National Party | — | |
| Office suspended (25 July 1986 – 3 March 1988) |||||||||
| (2) | | Oswald Skippings (born 1953) | 3 March 1988 | 3 April 1991 | 3 years, 31 days | People's Democratic Movement | 1988 | Second tenure |
| 5 | | Washington Misick (born 1950) | 3 April 1991 | 31 January 1995 | 3 years, 303 days | Progressive National Party | 1991 | First tenure |
| 6 | | Derek Hugh Taylor (born 1951) | 31 January 1995 | 15 August 2003 | 8 years, 196 days | People's Democratic Movement | 1995 1999 | |
| 7 | | Michael Misick (born 1966) | 15 August 2003 | 9 August 2006 | 2 years, 359 days | Progressive National Party | 2003 | Brother of Washington Misick |
| Premiers (2006–present) |||||||||
| 1 | | Michael Misick (born 1966) | 9 August 2006 | 23 March 2009 | 2 years, 226 days | Progressive National Party | 2007 | |
| 2 | | Galmo Williams (born 1966) | 23 March 2009 | 14 August 2009 | 144 days | Progressive National Party | — | |
| Office suspended (14 August 2009 – 13 November 2012) |||||||||
| 3 | | Rufus Ewing (born 1968) | 13 November 2012 | 20 December 2016 | 4 years, 37 days | Progressive National Party | 2012 | |
| 4 | | Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson (born 1971) | 20 December 2016 | 20 February 2021 | 4 years, 62 days | People's Democratic Movement | 2016 | |
| 5 | | Washington Misick (born 1950) | 20 February 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 355 days | Progressive National Party | 2021 2025 | Second tenure |