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The People's
Revolutionary Government which was the Government of Grenada from 1979 to
1983 banned all political activity by other political parties. In October
1983 the P.R.G. experienced a split in its leadership between one faction
led by Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and the other led by Bernard Coard who
seemed to have the support of the Revolutionary Army. This resulted in the
execution by firing squad of Prime Minister Bishop and some other members of
his cabinet at Fort Rupert by the Revolutionary Army.
This disastrous events
caused the then chairperson of the O.E.C.S., Dame Eugenia Charles, Prime
Minister of Dominica, along with the other Government Heads to approach
President Ronald Regan of the U.S.A. to assist in the restoration of peace
and stability in Grenada. The result was that the US Military along with
forces from some of the other islands landed in Grenada and , after a short
period of battle, restored clam and stability.
An interim Government
was then appointed by the then Governor General Sir Paul Scoon to manage the
country and complete preparations for the democratic elections and a
restoration of Parliamentary Democracy. Political parties re-emerged with
the appearance of the Grenada National Party headed by Mr. Herbert Blaize,
the Grenada United Labor Party of sir Eric Gairy, the National Democratic
Party led by Mr. George Brizan and the Grenada Democratic Movement led by
Dr. Francis Alexis as the main parties.
Before long there was
emerging a general feeling that the three (3) parties other than the GULP
should re-organise themselves into one main party to contest the forthcoming
elections.
Dr. John Watts the
founder of the Grenada National Party initiated discussions with the
leaders of the GNP, NDP with a view to that end. This initiative ran into
some difficulty, as some leaders were not ready to relinquish leadership of
their respective parties. Other persons also tried to persuade them to
organize one party and the idea continued to gain momentum among the public
and some of the Heads of Government in some of the other islands. Then the
Prime Ministers of St. Vincent, Mr. James Mitchell and St. Lucia, Mr. John
Compton invited the leaders of the three parties to a meeting on Union
Island (Grenadines) the outcome of which was an agreement to organize a
single political party with a mutually agreed leader. Thus was born the NEW
NATIONAL PARTY with Mr. Herbert Blaize as political leader. When General
Elections were held in December 1984 the NEW NATIONAL PARTY won 14 seats and
the GULP one seat. The NNP with Mr. Blaize as Prime Minister became the
Prime Minister of Grenada.
The NNP was born in 1984
and its first chairman was Senator Lawrence Joseph of Grenville, St.Andrew's
and Dr. Keith Mitchell was elected General Secretary at the Party's first
convention. Party groups were organized in each electoral constituency and
when Senator Lawrence Joseph was named a Minister of Government, he was
succeeded as Party Chairman by Dr. John Watts.
By 1990 when the next
general elections were held NNP had lost the following Parliamentarians -
Messrs George Brizan, Kenny Lalsingh, Dr. Francis Alexis, Phinsley
St.Louis and Tillman Thomas - all of whom later organized the National
Democratic Congress.
At the 1989 annual NNP
convention, Dr. Keith Mitchell was elected Political leader of the Party
defeating Mr. Herbert Blaize whose health continued to deteriorate
progressively and which had caused concern among many NNP members. Mr.
Blaize did not take too kindly to this result and eventually organized his
own party - The National Party. However Mr. Blaize died in December 1989
before the elections took place and was succeeded as political leader of the
TNP by Mr. Ben Jones.
The 1990 General
elections saw the main contestants as NNP headed by Dr. Keith Mitchell, NDC
headed by Mr. Nicholas Braithwaite, TNP with Mr. Ben Jones as Political
leader and the GULP led by Mr. Eric Gairy. The results were NDC 7 seats, NNP
2 seats, GULP 4 seats and the TNP 2 seats. The then Governor - General Sir
Paul Scoon invited Mr. Braithwaite to be the Prime Minister and he informed
the Government with Mr. Ben Jones of TNP. Dr. Keith Mitchell and his NNP
formed the official Opposition. Not too long afterwards Dr. Francis Alexis
broker ranks with NDC and organized hos own Political Aprty the Democratic
Labour Party.
At every convention of
the NNP, Dr. Keith Mitchell was re-elected Political Leader unopposed up to
the present time. Dr. John Watts was also elected Party Chairman at every
convention until 1995 when he was elected President of the Senate by his
fellow Senators. He then retired as Chairman of NNP and succeeded by Dr.
Raphael Fletcher as Party Chairman.
General Elections was
again held in 1995 which resulted in NNP winning 8 seats, NDSC winning 5
seats , and GULP 2 seats. The Governor-General invited Dr. Keith Mitchell to
be Prime Minister and form an NNP Government.
The NNP Government
started the Island State of GRENADA on a dramatic and unprecedented program
of economic and social development. Then in 1998 Dr. Raphael Fletched
resigned from the NNP thus reducing the NNP elected members in the House of
Representatives from 8 to 7, where upon the Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Keith
Mitchell advised the Governor General, Sir Daniel Williams, to dissolve
Parliament and authorize new general elections. These elections were held in
January 1999 and resulted in a clean sweep of all 15 seats by the NNP in
spite of the fact that the other Political parties agreed upon a united
campaign strategy to defeat the NNP.
This new NNP Government
having received an unqualified mandate from the people of Grenada continued
its unprecedented economic and social development for the island state of
Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Extensive infrastructural work
included the building of new roads, especially concrete roads where only
dirt tracks existed throughout the country. Existing roads especially the
main roads were rebuilt and resurfaced with adequate drainage. Water supply
throughout the island was greatly improved and consumer metering system was
installed. Major sea and Coastal defense works were undertaken to prevent
erosion in specific areas.
The area of sports
received its share of improvement to sporting facilities. A modern stadium
was built at Queens Park to facilitate world class sporting events, and
cricket and other facilities throughout the country were improved and
brought up to standard. A modern Ministerial Complex and a new Education
Ministry building were built; and several new secondary and primary school
building were built and renovated up to modern day standard. Several Police
Stations were rebuilt and renovated to improve the facilities for the Police
personnel. A new modern Hospital Complex with state of the art Health Care
Facilities is nearing completion at the present time, and improvements have
been done to health facilities throughout the island.
Carriacou and Petite
Martinique have also received its share of improved facilities for the
people. Roads have been improved, water supply improved. Petite Martinique
has a desalination plant installed to increase its water supply and also a
new Jetty has been constructed. A new Market has been built in Carriacou and
sporting facilities upgraded.
During the year 2000,
Mr. Michael Baptiste was relieved of his Ministerial position as Minister of
Agriculture, whereupon he resigned from the NNP and became the sole
Opposition member in the House of Representatives. He was replaced as
Minister of Agriculture by Mrs. Claris Charles the Parliamentary
Representative for St.Johns.
The popularity of NNP
continued to grow as was evidence by the mammoth attendance of members and
supporters at both the General Council meeting and the annual Convention for
the year 2002 where over 4000 people attended the latter.
Our Manifesto is a message of Stability and
Continuity
The focus of the New
National Party is investment in people to promote production and marketing
skills, promotion of training, research and development. These elements are
the ingredients of economic vitality, and the foundations of social harmony.
The New National Party foundation pillars that were created in the early
1980s have been the source of inspiration during periods of national and
political crisis. The Ability to act internationally has not come without
effort. The nation must be founded on a strong economy and a commitment to
equality of opportunity for all. Success will and must follow example,
prudent financial planning must be a positive way to ensure economic
stability. The NNP understands the necessity for our people to maintain our
self-respect and a sustained effort to improve the quality of life.
Future Directions
The NNP sees the need
for a full programme of positive reforms that stimulates inclusiveness
through empowerment with opportunity. The NNP believe that Government must
be people oriented. Good governance requires a Government that creates a
climate where each citizen has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the
society. |
