Tristan da Cunha Island Council

The Tristan da Cunha Island Council is the main group that helps make decisions for the island of Tristan da Cunha, which is located in the Atlantic Ocean. This council has one leader called the Administrator of Tristan da Cunha, along with three members chosen by the Administrator and eight members who are elected by the people living on the island. It is important that at least one of the elected members is a woman.

The three appointed members are chosen directly by the Administrator of Tristan da Cunha. The council works together to manage the island's affairs and ensure the community runs smoothly. This way, the people of Tristan da Cunha have a say in how their island is taken care of.

Electoral system

The Island Council has 12 members. It includes the Administrator as the leader, three people chosen by the leader, and eight people who are elected by voters. At least one of the elected members must be a woman. If no women are among the top eight vote-getters, only seven men are chosen, and the woman with the most votes gets the last spot. If no women are running, a special election is held just for women to fill the eighth seat.

The Chief Islander is chosen in a separate vote and must also be part of the Island Council. The Chief Islander’s role is similar to a leader in other British areas like Gibraltar and Anguilla. The Chief Islander serves the same length of time as the other council members, not counting the Administrator.

Council members

Main article: 2025 Tristan da Cunha general election

The Tristan da Cunha Island Council is the group that helps make decisions for the island. It includes the Administrator, who guides the council, along with three appointed members and eight elected members. The council has several people who help lead, like Simon Glass, Ian Lavarello (who is the Chief Islander), and others.

Recently, in March 2025, Administrator Philip Kendall shared the names of three new appointed members: Allan Swain, Janine Lavarello, and Vera Glass. The council makes sure the island runs smoothly and that everyone’s needs are met.

Previous Councils

2007–10

On 19 March 2007, the following people were chosen to serve on the Island Council: Lorraine Repetto, Conrad Glass, Robin Repetto, Dereck Charles Rogers, Ian Lavarello, James Patrick Glass, Iris Green, Lillie Carlene Swain. The following people were chosen by the Administrator (all had been Chief Islanders): Harold Green, Anne Green, Lewis Green. The number of people who voted was 56.2%, which was lower than before.

2010–13

In 2010, everyone running for the Island Council was chosen without a vote because there were no contests. The people chosen were: Ian Lavarello, Robin Repetto, Marion Green, Beverley Repetto, Dereck Rogers, James Glass, Lorraine Repetto, Iris Green, Dawn Repetto, Conrad Glass, and Anne Green.

2013–16

Again in 2013, there were just enough people running for the eight spots, so no vote was needed. The people chosen were: Leon Glass, Warren Glass, Joanne Green, Ian Lavarello, Gerald Repetto, Beverley Swain, Emma Swain, Neil Swain. The Administrator also chose Iris Green, Conrad Glass and Lorraine Repetto to join the Council.

2016–19

On 9 March 2016, with 83% of people voting, these eight people were chosen for the Council:

• James Glass
• Warren Glass
• Sarah Green
• Terence Green
• Ian Lavarello
• Lorraine Repetto
• Emma Swain
• Paula Swain

The Administrator, Alex Mitham, also chose three more members:

• Conrad Glass
• Harold Green
• Iris Green

2019–2022

Main article: 2019 Tristan da Cunha general election

On 26 March 2019, with 74.6% of people voting, these eight people were chosen for the Council:

• Clive Glass
• Rodney Green
• Paul Repetto
• Steve Swain
• James Glass
• Kelly Green
• Jason Green
• Ian Lavarello

The Administrator of Tristan da Cunha also chose three more members:

• Carlene Glass-Green
• Warren Glass
• Dawn Repetto

2022–2025

On 23 March 2022, it was said that the 2022 Island Council elections were not held because no more than eight people ran.

Elected members:

• Conrad Glass
• James Glass (Chief Islander)
• Vera Glass
• Warren Glass
• Rodney Green
• Terence Green
• Ian Lavarello
• Steve Swain

Members chosen by the Joint Administrators:

• Carlene Glass-Green
• Anne Green
• Beverley Swain

Chief Islanders

Voters choose a Chief Islander from a special list of candidates. The person with the most votes becomes the Chief Islander of Tristan da Cunha. Here are the people who have been elected to this role over the years:

Timeline of chief islanders

This is a graphical lifespan timeline of chief islanders of Tristan da Cunha. They are listed in order of when they first took office.