West Indies Act

United Kingdom [1967]

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July 23, 2026

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The West Indies Act of 1967 was a piece of United Kingdom legislation that changed the constitutional status of several British colonies in the West Indies. These islands transitioned from being colonies to a state of "free association" with the UK. This new status granted them internal self-government, while the United Kingdom retained responsibility for their external affairs and defense.1

This act was part of a broader decolonization process in the West Indies following World War II. The original members of the West Indies Associated States included Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent. While most of these islands eventually gained full independence, Montserrat remains a British dependency. The failure of earlier attempts at federation, such as the West Indies Federation (1958–1962), highlighted the challenges of creating viable political unions among the islands.21

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Antigua and Barbuda
History of Antigua and Barbuda
Provision was made in the West Indies Act of 1967 for Antigua to assume a status of association with the United Kingdom on February 27, 1967. As an associated state, Antigua was fully self-governing in all internal affairs, while the United Kingdom retained responsibility for external affairs and defense.
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Provision was made in the West Indies Act of 1967 for Antigua to assume a status of association with the United Kingdom on February 27, 1967. As an associated state, Antigua was fully self-governing in all internal affairs, while the United Kingdom retained responsibility for external affairs and defense.
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Dominica
The French and British colonial period
…the British government passed the West Indies Act of 1967, which gave Dominica the status of association with the United Kingdom. Under the 1967 constitution the island became fully self-governing in internal affairs.
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…the British government passed the West Indies Act of 1967, which gave Dominica the status of association with the United Kingdom. Under the 1967 constitution the island became fully self-governing in internal affairs.
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history of Saint Lucia
Independence
…was eventually settled by the West Indies Act of 1967, in which Saint Lucia assumed a status of association with the United Kingdom on March 1, 1967.
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…was eventually settled by the West Indies Act of 1967, in which Saint Lucia assumed a status of association with the United Kingdom on March 1, 1967.
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