John Osborne (born 1936) is the chief minister of Montserrat. He first came to that position in November 1978, as a member of the Popular Liberal Party , 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 volcano eruptions which devastated two thirds of the island and lasted from 1995 until at least 1997. Many people were forced to leave the island, but as of 2003 some have returned.