The Turks and Caicos Islands are seperated from Jamaica and become a separate colony and part of the British West Indies in 1959. After the dissolution of the British West Indies, the Turks and Caicos Islands become a seperate British colony in 1962. It is administratively associated with the Bahamas, but since the independence of the latter in 1973, it is a seperate colony. The first elections under the 1976 constitution are won by the centre-left People's Democratic Movement (PDM) under James McCartney and since 1980 Oswald O. Skippings. Since 1980 the country is governed by the conservative Progressive National Party (PNP) and its leader Norman Saunders. Saunders is succeeded in 1985 by Nathaniel Francis.

In 1986 ministerial government is suspended. In 1988 the constitutional rule is restored, but the PNP is defeated by the centre-left People's Democratic Movement (PDM). Oswald Skippings becomes chief minister again. The PNP regains power in 1991 uner Washington Misick.. In 1995 the PDM wins the elections and its leader Derek Taylor becomes chief minister. He is confirmed in 1999 but in 2003 the PDM loses the elections. Michael Misick of the PNP becomes chief minister.