1971 Nevis Local Council election
December 1971
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An election was held for the Nevis Local Council in December 1971. The result saw the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) win six out of nine available seats, with NRP leader Simeon Daniel becoming Chairman of the Local Council.
Background
This was the second local election for the island of Nevis within Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla, and the first local election held since reforms to the Local Government Act saw the number of elected members of the local council expanded from six to nine seats, and abolished the three nominated members, which controversially were appointed by the central Government.[1] The previous and first ever election for the council in 1967 had delivered a majority for the People's Action Movement, who won 5 of 6 seats. However, the PAM opted not to run again in the 1971 election and stopped contesting elections on the island of Nevis from this point onwards.[2]
Campaign
Sentiment against Saint Kitts and the central government of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla was extremely high amongst Nevisians, and the newly founded Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) had become a leading voice in calling for independence from Saint Kitts since its establishment in 1970.[3][2]
The PAM and Labour Party did not contest the election, however, the United National Movement (UNM) once again contested the council election, with the UNM often being described as an affiliate of Labour in Nevis.[2][4]
Results and elected members
The election saw the NRP win a majority with six seats, while the UNM came second with two seats, and an independent candidate won a seat. Notably, Fred Parris, the incumbent chairman of the local council and a prominent ex-PAM politician in Nevis, ran as an independent and lost his council seat to Simeon Daniel of the NRP.[4] Only seven of the nine seats were contested, and voter turnout was 62.6%.[5]
The following members were elected to the Nevis Local Council:
| Nevis Local Council members[6] | |
|---|---|
| Party | Member |
| NRP | Simeon Daniel |
| NRP | Ivor Stevens |
| NRP | Eustace Nisbett |
| NRP | Zephaniah Liburd |
| NRP | James Brookes |
| NRP | Urial Swanston |
| UNM | Almon Nisbett |
| UNM | Rudolph Duporte |
| Ind. | Wilfred Maynard |
Aftermath
Following the election, Simeon Daniel, leader of the NRP, was elected Chairman of the Local Council.[6]
References
- ^ "Fully Elected Council For Nevis". The Democrat. 4 December 1971.
- ^ a b c Midgett, Douglas (1 January 2004). "Pepper and bones: the secessionist impulse in Nevis". New West Indian Guide / Nieuwe West-Indische Gids. Retrieved 19 February 2026 – via brill.com.
- ^ London Observer (13 December 1971). "The NRP is out for independence". San Francisco Chronicle – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Nevis Reformation Party wins 6 seats". St Croix Avis. 18 December 1971. Retrieved 19 February 2026 – via Digital Library of the Caribbean.
- ^ "From the supervisor of elections". Saint Kitts and Nevis Observer. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Nevis Council Sworn In". The Democrat. January 1972.