Post independence era (1983–present) thumb|left|150px|Timothy Harris, Prime Minister 2015–2022 St Kitts and Nevis achieved full independence on 19 September 1983. Kennedy Simmonds of the PAM, Premier since 1980, duly became the country's first Prime Minister. St Kitts and Nevis opted to remain within the British Commonwealth, at that time retaining Queen Elizabeth as Monarch, represented locally by a Governor-General. Kennedy Simmonds went on to win elections in 1984, 1989 and 1993, before being unseated when the SKNLP returned to power in 1995 under Denzil Douglas.
poSt iNdepENdeNCe era (1983–preseNT) ThumB|lEFT|150PX|timothY haRRis, priMe ministEr 2015–2022 st Kitts And nevIS Achieved full indEpendenCE on 19 SEptembeR 1983. kennEdy SIMMONds Of the pam, PRemier sinCE 1980, dUly BECaME THe coUnTry's FirSt priMe MiNister. ST kiTtS And nevis opteD to reMaIn withIn the BriTish commonwealth, At ThAT time rEtaiNinG queen ELizaBEth AS monarch, RePrEsenTeD loCaLLY bY a governor-geNerAl. keNNedy simmOnds wenT on TO wiN elections in 1984, 1989 anD 1993, bEfOre beING unseAted when the sknLp reTurNed to power in 1995 under denzIl DouglAs.