Governor

A governor is also a device that regulates the speed of a machine. See Governor (device).

British Empire and Commonwealth

In the British Empire a governor was originally an official appointed by the British monarch to oversee one of his colonies. Generally of the gubernatorial offices established under the British, the structure comprised three levels:—

Related Topics:
British Empire - Monarch - Colonies

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• Governor-General (formerly in charge of a group of colonies, and now also with largely ceremonial functions in relation to independent, sovereign Commonwealth Realms);
• Governor (in charge of a colony); and
• Lieutenant-Governor (in charge of a sub-colonial unit, usually styled a "province").
• (Note: colony in this sense means any separate jurisdiction inside the British Empire)

In the first two cases the Governor (or Governor-General) represents the authority of the Monarch. Lieutenant-Governors represent the authority of their superiors (a Governor or Governor-General). Administrators, Commissioners and High Commissioners exercise similar powers (Note: such High Commissioners are not to be confused with the High Commissioners who are the equivalent of Ambassadors between Commonwealth states).

Related Topics:
Administrator - Commissioner - High Commissioner

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A Governor would usually have an Executive Council to help with the colony's administration. Governors could also, in addition, have Legislative Councils and/or Assemblies underneath them.

Related Topics:
Executive Council - Legislative Council - Assemblies

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Today crown colonies of the United Kingdom continue to be administered by a governor, who holds varying degrees of power. Worldwide, there are 15 Governors-General who represent the dignity of the Monarch in the (sovereign) Commonwealth Realms.

Related Topics:
Governors-General - Commonwealth Realm

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Because of the different constitutional histories of the former colonies of the United Kingdom, the term "Governor" now refers to officials with differing amounts of power. Especially after colonies became independent of the United Kingdom, the presence of the word "Governor" does not guarantee that the said Governor is the "typical British-style" Governor; examples include:

Related Topics:
Constitution - United Kingdom

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• Sri Lanka, once a colony governed by a single British Governor before independence, now has many "governors" controlling sub-national units
• Nigeria, also a colony once governed by a single British Governor before independence, now has many "governors" controlling sub-national provinces

Governors (of all ranks) are usually housed in a building called 'Government House'. Governors used also to have a standard flag pattern (a Union Flag with the colonial seal or coat of arms in the centre). Governors-General still have a standard pattern flag, a blue flag with the royal crest (lion and crown) with the name of the jurisdiction on a scroll underneath.

Related Topics:
Government House - Union Flag

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Below, the Governors described for Australia, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom overseas territories fit the traditional British framework as just described. The rest are not British-style governors.

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See also:

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• Governor of Hong Kong

Australia

Main article: Governors of the Australian states

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In Australia, each state has a Governor as its formal representative of the Queen and Premier as head of the state government. State Governors are appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Premier and play a largely ceremonial role. State Governors have emergency reserve powers but these are rarely used. The Territories of Australia have Administrators instead of governors, who are appointed formally by the Governor-General. The Commonwealth Governor-General is Australia's de facto head of state representing the Queen in the Australian Capital Territory appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister, the head of the Federal Government.

Related Topics:
Australia - Premier - Queen - Territories - Administrators - Australian Capital Territory

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When the office of the Governor-General is vacant, or the occupant is unable to discharge their duties (on holidays, or travelling overseas for example), frequently the most senior state governor acts in their position. If this is not practicable, a justice of the High Court is appointed as administrator for the Commonwealth, and exercises those powers of the Governor-General in their absence.

Related Topics:
Justice - High Court

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The difference in terminology between the Australian state Governors and the Canadian provincial Lieutenant Governors is significant. In the Australian case, the Governor nominally derives power directly from the monarch and is in practice nominated by the Premier of a state. In the Canadian case, the Lieutenant Governor nominally is appointed by the Governor-General and in practice is named by the federal Prime Minister.

Related Topics:
Lieutenant Governor - Governor-General - Prime Minister

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See also:

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• Governor of New South Wales
• Governor of Queensland
• Governor of South Australia
• Governor of Tasmania
• Governor of Victoria
• Governor of Western Australia

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• List of Governors of New South Wales
• List of Governors of Queensland
• List of Governors of South Australia
• List of Governors of Tasmania
• List of Governors of Victoria
• List of Governors of Western Australia

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India

In India each state has a ceremonial Governor appointed by the President of India. These Governors are different to the Governors which controlled the British-controlled portions of the Indian Empire (as opposed to the princely states) prior to 1949.

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Malaysia

In Malaysia the four non-monarchical states -Penang, Malacca, and the two on Borneo : Sabah and Sarawak- each have a ceremonial Governor styled Yang di-Pertua Negeri, appointed by the federal King Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, with a seat but no vote in the federal majlis Raja-raja (council of rulers). These states have a separate head of government which is the Chief Minister or Menteri Besar.

Related Topics:
Malaysia - Penang - Malacca - Sabah - Sarawak - Yang di-Pertua Negeri - Yang di-Pertuan Agong - Chief Minister

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All other states have royalty as head of state, no governor : a raja in Perlis, a Yang di-pertuan besar (elected from local rulers) in Negeri Sembilan, or a Sultan in the states of Selangor, Pahang, Johore, Perak, Kelantan and Kedah.

Related Topics:
Raja - Yang di-pertuan besar - Sultan

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Nigeria

In Nigeria, the leaders of the regions, which in 1967 were divided into states, have been known as governors since 1954. Following a military coup in November 1993, President Sani Abacha suspended all the governors, and appointed administrators. When democracy was restored in 1999, the office of governor was revived and new governors were elected.

Related Topics:
Nigeria - Sani Abacha

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The president of Nigeria can suspend state governors in a state of emergency and replace them with administrators. They are elected by popular vote.

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Northern Ireland

There was a position of Governor of Northern Ireland from 1922 until the suspension of Stormont in 1973.

Related Topics:
Governor of Northern Ireland - Stormont

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Papua New Guinea

In Papua New Guinea, the leaders of the provinces have been known as governors since August 1995. Previously they had been known as premiers.

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Sri Lanka

The provinces of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) are led by governors.

Related Topics:
Sri Lanka - Ceylon

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United Kingdom overseas territories

In the United Kingdom's remaining overseas territories the governor is normally a direct appointee of the British Government and plays an active role in governing and lawmaking (though usually with the advice of elected local representatives). In some minor overseas territories there is instead of a Governor an Administrator or Commissioner.

Related Topics:
Overseas territories - Administrator - Commissioner

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