The Spanish explorer Juan de Bermudez discovers the island in the beginning of the sixteenth century. In the seventeenth century the island is conquered by England, that names the islands Somers Islands. England establishes in 1620 the crown colony of Bermuda, the first colony with (limited) self-government. Bermuda is granted internal self-government as a parliamentary democracy in 1968. Since that thime the conservative United Bermuda Party (UBP) wins the elections against the social-democratic Progressive Labour Party and governs the country. Sir Henry Tucker (1968-1971), Edward Richards (1971-1975), John Sharpe (1975-1977) and David Gibbons (1977-1982) head the government. In 1982 John Swan becomes party leader and premier. When in a referendum the Bermudans reject independence in 1995, Swan resigns and is succeeded by David Saul. He is succeeded in 1997 by Pamela Gordon. In 1998 the UBP loses the elections and the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) under Jennifer Smith forms the government.