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St Helena: Politics and Government

Asked by Andrew RosindellReform UKForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 19 May 2025UIN 50828

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how the Governor of Saint Helena’s special responsibility for finance differs from the role of the Finance Minister.

Answered by Stephen Doughty

Each Overseas Territory has a unique constitution. St Helena introduced a ministerial form of government in 2021 and the updated constitution provides that St Helena ministers have responsibility departments and shall exercise general direction and policy control of that department. The St Helena Treasury was one of the departments transferred to a minister. Part 8 of the Constitution, together with the Public Finance Ordinance 2010, sets out roles and responsibilities in how public finances are managed. Under Section 44(1)(f) of the constitution, the Governor has a special responsibility for finance. In practice, day to day responsibility is exercised through Executive Council and as prescribed by subordinate ordinance.

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