by Rawle Titus As Grenada’s main opposition party, the New National Party (NNP), looks ahead to selecting its leader for the next general elections, there appears to be an emerging choice: some stalwarts of the party think Peter David represents the leadership capabilities that the party desperately needs to reinvigorate itself and regain the trust of the Grenadian people. Keith Mitchell, the longstanding party leader who has served multiple terms as prime minister, has overstayed his welcome and lost his grip on the party and the nation. Despite previously stating his intention to step down, most recently claiming the 2022 elections would be his “one for the road,” Mitchell has backtracked.
He is now clinging to power in an increasingly undemocratic fashion. Recent surveys indicate a Grenadian public now soured on Mitchell’s leadership. A November 2023 on-ground poll by Writeups24 found that 73% of over 3,000 respondents favoured David as the new NNP leader, with only 27% still backing Mitchell.
This overwhelming margin reflects the people’s desire for change within the party. A transparent and genuine effort to expand leadership candidate considerations even beyond David must also be allowed to occur without any form of manipulative resistance. David, who previously served as Minister of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs under the NNP, does have the qualities needed to reinvigorate the opposition.
In contrast, Mitchell’s leadership has become increasingly insular,.
