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Government and Politics of Cayman Islands
Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of Cayman Islands.
Government Structure
Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.
- Government Type
- British crown colony
- Administrative Divisions
- 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western
- Legal System
- British common law and local statutes
- Suffrage
- 18 years of age; universal
- Citizenship
- see United Kingdom
- Executive Branch
- Chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); Governor Jane OWEN (since 22 April 2023) Head of government: Premier Wayne PANTON (since 14 April 2021) Cabinet: The Cabinet consists of the governor, the premier, and seven ministers, with members drawn from the elected Parliament (formerly the Legislative Assembly, renamed following constitutional updates). Elections: None; the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarch; following parliamentary elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition is appointed by the governor as Premier.
- Legislative Branch
- Unicameral Parliament (21 seats; 19 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 2 ex officio members — the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker — who are appointed; members serve four-year terms) Elections: last held on 14 April 2021 (next to be held in 2025) Election results: percent of vote by party — NA; seats by party — PACT coalition 12 (including independents aligned with PACT), People's Progressive Movement (PPM) 7, independent 2
- Judicial Branch
- Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal
- Political Parties
- no national teams (loose groupings of political organizations) were formed for the 2000 elections; United Democratic Party or UDP [leader McKeeva BUSH]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [leader Kurt TIBBETTS]
- Head of State
- King CHARLES III
- Head of Government
- Premier Wayne PANTON
- Cabinet
- Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by the Legislative Assembly)
- Elections
- last held on 14 April 2021 (next to be held in 2025)
- Election Results
- percent of vote by party — NA; seats by party — PACT coalition 12 (including independents aligned with PACT), People's Progressive Movement (PPM) 7, independent 2
- Constitution
- 1959, revised 1972 and 1992
- Independence
- none (overseas territory of the UK)
- National Holiday
- Constitution Day, first Monday in July
- International Organization Participation
- Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate)
- Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.
- none (overseas territory of the UK)
- U.S. Diplomatic Representation
- none (overseas territory of the UK)
Capital City
Seat of government and political history.
- Capital City
- George Town (on Grand Cayman)
- Location
- 19 18 N, 81 23 W
- Time Difference
- UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- History
- named after English King GEORGE III (1738-1820)
Embassy and Diplomatic Representation
Embassy location and contact details.
U.S. Embassy Kingston 142 Old Hope Road Kingston, Jamaica Telephone: (876) 702-6000 Facsimile: (876) 702-6018 E-mail: KingstonACS@state.gov U.S. Consular Agency Cayman Islands Cayman Centre Unit B-1, 118 Dorcy Drive George Town, Grand Cayman Public Hours are M-F, from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Telephone: (345) 945-8173 E-Mail: CaymanACS@state.gov
Military
Branches, service obligations, expenditures, and manpower.
- Military Branches
- No regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force
National Symbols
Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.
National Flag
- Flag Symbolism
- blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
- Date of Adoption
- 25 January 1999
National Anthem
- Anthem Lyrics (English)
- - O land of soft, fresh breezes And verdant trees so fair, With the Creator's glory Reflected ev'rywhere, O sea of palest em'rald, Merging to darkest blue, Whene'er my thoughts fly Godward, I always think of you. Dear, verdant island, set in blue Caribbean Sea, I'm coming, coming very soon, O beautious isle, to thee. Although I wandered far, My heart enshrines thee yet. Homeland, fair Cayman Isle, I cannot thee forget. - Away from noise of cities, Their fret and carking care, With moonbeams' soft caresses, Unchecked by garish glare, Thy fruit with rarest juices, Abundant, rich and free, When sweet church bells are chiming, My fond heart yearns for thee. - When tired of all excitement And glam'rous worldly care, How sweet thy shores to reach And find a welcome there, And when comes on the season Of peace, goodwill to man, 'Tis then I love thee best of all, Beloved Isle Cayman.
Other National Symbols
National Flower
Wild Banana Orchid (Schomburgkia thomsoniana)
The Wild Banana Orchid (Schomburgkia thomsoniana) is one of 27 varieties of orchid that grow in the Cayman Islands. Usually found flowering after the heavy spring rains in May/June, there are two varieties of this orchid. Both varieties have scented flowers with purple lips, but Schomburgkia thomsoniana var. thomsoniana (which grows in Grand Cayman) has petals that are predominantly white, whilst Schomburgkia thomsoniana var. minor (which is found in the sister islands) has slightly smaller flowers with pale yellow petals.
National Tree
Silver Thatch Palm
The Silver Thatch Palm (Coccothrinax proctorii) is unique to the Cayman Islands. Known locally as “Tatch”, the upper sides of the fronds are light green, but the underside is a silvery colour - hence their name. The fronds are very tough, and their broad shape makes them an effective covering.
National Bird
cayman parrot
Seal
coat of arms
THE NATIONAL COAT OF ARMS The National Coat of Arms, also known as the Official Crest, comprises symbols which represent the government and people of the Cayman Islands. It consists of three elements – the Shield of Arms, the Crested Helm and the Motto. The contents of the shield are described as the ‘Arms.’ These are three green stars outlined in gold, representing the three islands which are set atop blue and white waves. A golden ‘passant’ Lion of England, symbolising the country's allegiance to Great Britain, is shown at the top of the shield on a red background. The crest is shown above the shield. It comprises a green sea turtle, representing the significance of turtling in Cayman's history; a blue and white rope, upon which the turtle rests, denoting the country's seafaring and thatch rope industry traditions; and a pineapple, shown above the turtle, which represents Cayman's traditional ties to Jamaica – which oversaw the Cayman Islands on behalf of England until Jamaica’s independence in 1959. Shown at the bottom of the Shield is the motto, “HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS,” which is taken from Psalms 24, verse 2.
Motto
“HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS,”
National Tree
Silver Thatch Palm
Silver Thatch Palm Tall, slender silver thatch palms are especially conspicuous at the eastern end of all three of the Cayman Islands, where they sway in the trade winds high above the low, dry thickets of native trees and shrubs. Bearing the scientific name Coccothrinax proctorii after botanist Dr. George Proctor, the leaves are what give this tree its common name; they're green on the top and silver on the bottom Up to the early 1960s, the silver thatch palm played an important role in the lives of Caymanians. Unusually tough, the leaves have a variety of uses, from roofing for houses to the weaving of hats, baskets and fans. In earlier years, straw rope made from the thatch palm was highly prized in Cuba and Jamaica for use in shipping, fishing and sugar industries. Exporting rope was Cayman's largest source of revenue. Last Updated: 2005-10-21