After the Second World War, however, their domination began to crumble. The Progressive Liberal Party was founded in 1953, in response to dissatisfaction with UBP rule, universal suffrage was introduced in 1961 and the PLP was elected in 1967 leading the Bahamas to independence in 1973. The 1973 constitution established a parliamentary system based on the English model with Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state. She is represented by a governor general appointed on the advice of the prime minister. Parliament consists of an elected House of Assembly containing 40 members and a Senate of 16 members, appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition.
Executive power is vested in the cabinet.
General elections must be held within 5 years after the formation of a new Government but may be called at any time before then. The judiciary is independent with the Chief Justice of the Supreme court appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition and other judges appointed by a judicial commission. The Privy Council of the United Kingdom serves as the highest appellate court. The Bahamian economy continues to show steady growth and the prospects for the trend to continue in the medium term look promising. Growth for 2000 is estimated at 4.5 per cent.