John Osborne (politician)

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John Osborne (born 1936) is the chief minister of Montserrat. He first came to that position in November 1978, as a member of the People's Liberation Movement, and continued until losing legislative council elections on October 10 1991. By 2001 he had switched parties, joining the New People's Liberation Movement. Under his leadership, the NPLM won 7 of 9 seats in legislative council elections on April 2 2001, and he has been chief minister since April 5 2001. A major issue for his government has been the continuing recovery of the island of Montserrat after a volcanic eruption which devastated the southern part of the island, burying the capital city of Plymouth in mud and forcing its population to flee, in many cases off the island due to lack of housing. The eruption, which began in July, 1995, continues today on a vastly reduced scale, the damage being confined to Plymouth and the surrounding areas. As of 2005, a new airport and docking facilities have opened and Montserratians and tourists alike are beginning to return.