Keith Mitchell: Newly minted Crusader for National Unity


Dr. Keith Mitchell, in his Independence Day address said” I again offer my hand to my political opponents. I say come let us build our nation together”. In the same vein he said to the New York based Diaspora, “I make a call today for all of us, despite our differences, let us unite. Let us unite to build our country first”. Dr Mitchell also anchored his call by making biblical reference to 1 Corinthians 13:11 “When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish ways”

Dr Mitchell’s political career can be described as probably the greatest contributor to the post revolution saga of divisiveness and political morass. When he wrested control of the New National Party (NNP) from Herbert Blaize, many opined that it was an act of treachery as he constantly reassured Mr Blaize of his unwavering loyalty. Mr. Blaize actually believed Dr Mitchell until his rude awakening on the convention floor. Dr. Mitchell in his defence said that Mr Bliaze must have been naive to think that a challenge was not imminent as opinion polls indicated that Dr. Mitchell was the most popular politician in the country at that time.

The endless making and breaking of makeshift alliances along with back door deal making has been the hallmark of modus operandi of Dr. Mitchell. In the process, political friendships were made and broken with such ruthlessness, that he has accumulated an unenviable briefcase of enemies of all shades.
The long stream of public scandals which culminated with the “Briefcase Inquiry’ are potent reminders that Dr. Mitchell’s personal credibility is tenuous at best even with avowed supporters of the NNP. The ugly outburst that “Me damn money is mine” still causes self respecting Grenadians to cringe about the reality that a sitting Prime Minister can bring the office into such disrepute.

Many Grenadians recall that in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) made a call for the formation of a National Unity Government. Dr. Mitchell scoffed at the proposal and even went on to insinuate that a coup was in the making. The then Prime Minister Manning of Trinidad and Tobago appeared to have believed the rumour and began to take certain measures to quell a nonexistent threat.

Colour politics of Dr Mitchell’s vintage has now defined the political landscape of the country. This phenomenon directly affects the functioning of public institutions like the Civil service, the Royal Grenada Police Force and Statutory Bodies. The pervasive stench of political cronyism and the absence of respect for professionalism and merit have conspired against the efficient management of these institutions. Since the second clean sweep election victory by the NNP, Dr. Mitchell has again showed that he has not changed. His handlers wanted to make us believe that he is now a “kinder and gentler” however the treatment meted out to Sir Carlyle Glean and Commissioner Thompson has blown this myth out of the skies.

An even more worrying trend is the fact that he uses the Parliament to malign and criticise ordinary citizens who are not in a position to defend themselves in the hallowed chambers of the House. His unwarranted attack on Mr. Jude Bernard, a local commentator, bears testimony to this. The Prime Minister’s use of insults and downright lies against opponents is legendary. I contend that Dr. Mitchell’s conduct past and present make him ineligible to lead the charge for national unity. His arrogance, disrespectful conduct and his known penchant to say one thing and do another, further diminishes his chances of success.

 The biblical reference made in 1st Corinthians which he himself cited is of the essence. Dr. Mitchell has not transitioned from (political) childhood and no amount of flowery language will camouflage the opportunistic intent for his call for National Unity. His newly converted followers, Peter David and Chester Humphrey, cannot create traction for “Project Grenada” which is intended to provide tacit support for the Prime Minister’s crusade. It all has to do with his attempt to cement a legacy which is but a fleeting illusion.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

OPEN LETTER TO MR HAMLET MARK.

Image
Open Letter To Mr Hamlet Mark ‘Too little too late, your pen is stalling’ Dear sir I have been following your blog Notes From All Around and Caribupdate News Service for long time. I think that you are a very skilful writer who has a very good idea of the political happenings in Grenada, but lately I have realized that your poetic pen is stalling. Your blog and news agency has gone into semi-hibernation. I must repeat that your blogs were well written and they had a very magnetic effect on thousands of readers. As a result of this Notes From All Around and Caribupdate News became the talk of the town. People listen to your tunes religiously. You became the Grenadian ‘Pied Piper’. During that time the National Democratic Congress was in office. You spared no effort in crafting half truths, fairy tales and twists all in an effort to create mistrust in the masses and chaos in government and by extension the nation. You continuously speared the NDC heart with you...
Read more

The Prime Minister of Chaos

Image
When the NNP published a poster titled ”Jonah  is back” just before the 2013 elections campaign, even Dr. Mitchell himself never catered for 15- nil. Contrast that with 1999 when the NNP bellowed “not a damn seat for them” egged on by Joan Webley.  From then on the door to chaos was flung wide open. Dr. Mitchell was hard pressed to “allocate” Tobias Clement, Yolande Bain- Horsford and Clifton Paul. True to form, the Prime Minister broke all protocol and instructed that all MPs must get ministerial salaries. I guess that back bench is good for England but not for Grenada. The traditional NNP front bench came back in full force. Bowen, Bhola, Modeste – Curwen and Nimrod. The new kids on the block were given much of the limelight to the annoyance of the traditionals. The emergence of Delma Thomas as a significant minister left the nation shaking his head at what appeared to be cheap theatre. Many citizens could only muster a laugh when in fact tears for Grenada would have be...
Read more

VICTIMIZATION AT ITS BEST

St. George –  According to Labour Representative in the Senate, Ray Roberts, dozens of very ordinary workers c annot celebrate the new Government's one hundred days in office. Addressing a meeting of the Upper House, Senator Roberts read excerpts from dismissal letters signed by Permanent Secretaries and sent to more than 50 workers making less than one thousand dollars per month, informing them that their services have been terminated. However, Senator Roberts congratulated the Government backbenchers who he said, can all celebrate because they are all receiving Ministers salaries of more than $6,000.00 although they didn't have ministerial responsibility in our crisis economy. Senator Roberts said that when there is a change of Government, we expect the Chief of Staff and the 'big boys' to exit their jobs - that is accepted.   H owever, what the Government is now demonstrating, according to the Labour Representative, is the termination of the employment of some of...
Read more