The first all Belizean Cabinet of Ministers, sworn on the 6th January, 1964
Let it be known, that prior to FULL INTERNAL SELF GOVERNMENT, the Cabinet was under the control of the Governor. It was called the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. The Governor had RESERVED POWERS and VETO POWERS to stop any decision by the Executive or the Legislators.
There were no Ministers, but only Quasi Ministers, who had replaced the Membership System. Certain Legislators were appointed by the Governor to serve as Members, say, of Natural Resources, Public Utilities, Social Services etc.
The New Cabinet of Ministers, under its Chairman, Premier George Price, were sworn under Letters Patent and with FULL responsibility for their Ministry's.
The First Ministers were: George C Price, Albert Cattouse, Alexander Hunter, Carl Lindberg Rogers, David Nckoy, Madame Gwendoline Lizarraga, and Hector David Silva.
The constitution of 1964 established internal self-rule, and Britain had conceded the readiness of the colony for independence as early as 1961. But Guatemalan territorial claims against Belize delayed full independence until 1981.
Because the political parties contesting the March 1961 elections had declared their intent to seek full independence, another constitutional conference was held in London in 1963. The conference led to the establishment of full internal selfgovernment under a constitution that took force on January 1, 1964.
Photograph courtesy Hector Silva
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