Keith Claudius Mitchell (born 12 November 1946) is a Grenadian politician who served as Prime Minister of Grenada from 1995 to 2008 and from 2013 to 2022. He is the longest-serving Prime Minister in Grenadian history, holding the office for more than 22 years. He is currently leader of the New National Party (NNP) and has been the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives of Grenada from 2008 to 2013,[2] and again since 2022.[3]
Keith Mitchell | |
|---|---|
 Mitchell in 2021 | |
| Prime Minister of Grenada | |
| In office 20 February 2013 – 24 June 2022 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governors‑General | Sir Carlyle Glean Dame Cécile La Grenade |
| Preceded by | Tillman Thomas |
| Succeeded by | Dickon Mitchell |
| In office 22 June 1995 – 9 July 2008 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governors‑General | Sir Reginald Palmer Sir Daniel Williams |
| Preceded by | George Brizan |
| Succeeded by | Tillman Thomas |
| Leader of the New National Party | |
| Assumed office 18 January 1989 | |
| Preceded by | Herbert Blaize |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2022 | |
| Monarchs | Elizabeth II Charles III |
| Prime Minister | Dickon Mitchell |
| Preceded by | Tobias Clement |
| In office 9 July 2008 – 20 February 2013 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Tillman Thomas |
| Preceded by | Tillman Thomas |
| Succeeded by | Vacant Tobias Clement (in 2020)[1] |
| Member of Parliament for St. George North West | |
| Assumed office 3 December 1984 | |
| Preceded by | George Hosten |
| Majority | 2,500 (71.61%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Keith Claudius Mitchell 12 November 1946 Brizan, Grenada |
| Political party | New National Party |
| Spouse | Marietta Mitchell |
| Children | Olinga Mitchell |
| Alma mater | University of the West Indies Howard University American University Presentation Brothers' College |
Education and personal life
editKeith Claudius Mitchell was born in the community of Brizan, Saint George. Mitchell graduated from The University of the West Indies with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and chemistry in 1971. He gained a master's degree from Howard University in 1975 and a doctorate in mathematics and statistics from American University in 1979.[4][5] He then worked as a statistician at Applied Management Sciences, providing statistical support to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In 1984, Mitchell gave up his professional activities to return home to Grenada after the U.S. invasion.[6]
Cricket career
editMitchell was a cricketer, a spin bowler who captained the Grenada team in 1973.[7] He has since been a prominent cricket administrator in the West Indies alongside his political career.[8]
Political career
editIn the December 1984 general election, Mitchell was elected to a seat in the House of Representatives from St. George North West constituency and he has held the seat in each subsequent election.[9] Mitchell was elected as leader of the NNP in January 1989,[10][11] defeating Prime Minister Herbert Blaize.[10] Blaize then dismissed Mitchell from his position as Minister of Communications and Works on 21 July 1989.[11]
After the NNP was victorious in the general election held on 20 June 1995, winning eight out of 15 seats in the House of Representatives, Mitchell took office as Prime Minister, along with his Cabinet, on 22 June.[12] Under Mitchell's leadership, the party won all 15 seats in the early election held in January 1999, and the NNP narrowly won a third term in power in the November 2003 election, reduced to a one-seat parliamentary majority.[10] Mitchell held the additional portfolio of Minister of Finance for three periods.
The New National Party was defeated in the general election held on 8 July 2008 by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), winning only four seats against 11 for the NDC.[13] Mitchell himself was re-elected to his seat from St. George North West.[9][14] NDC leader Tillman Thomas succeeded Mitchell as Prime Minister on 9 July. Mitchell said that the people voted for change and congratulated Thomas.[13] Following the election, he continued as NNP leader and was sworn in as Leader of the Opposition on 16 July 2008.[15]
In the February 2013 general election, the NNP again won all 15 parliamentary seats. After this resounding victory, Mitchell was sworn in as Prime Minister on 20 February 2013.[16] Looking ahead to the next election, Mitchell predicted that his party could win all 15 seats in parliament for a third time. Mitchell and his New National Party created history by retaining all 15 seats in the Grenada General Election of 13 March 2018. It is the first time any political party regionally or otherwise has achieved such a feat.[17] Mitchell held the additional portfolio of Minister of Finance until 2020.[18]
In June 2022, Mitchell called a snap general election. His New National Party was defeated by the National Democratic Congress under Dickon Mitchell, winning just 6 seats to the NDC's 9.[19] Mitchell subsequently became Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives of Grenada.
Foreign policy
editIn 1997, Mitchell became the first prime minister since Maurice Bishop to visit Cuba, signing an economic cooperation agreement.[20] He re-established relations with the People's Republic of China in 2005.[21]
Mitchell approved 1996 plans by the United States Coast Guard to build a base on Petite Martinique.[22] He allowed medical visits from USNS Comfort (T-AH-20).[23]
References
edit- ^ "Tobias Clement appointed Leader of the Opposition". Now Grenada. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
- ^ "Opposition Leaders - Grenada Parliament". grenadaparliament.gd.
- ^ "Grenada: Mitchell sworn in as Opposition Leader | Loop Caribbean News". Loop News.
- ^ "Biography: Keith Claudius Mitchell". Government of Grenada. 9 October 2009. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ^ Mitchell, Keith Claudius (1980). A study of ridge regression and some examples of its application in multivariate analysis (Thesis). Washington, D.C.: American University. doi:10.57912/23887239.v1. hdl:1961/thesesdissertations:894. OCLC 7468179.
- ^ Marker, David (1 June 2017). "Interview with Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada". Amstat News. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ^ "Keith Mitchell". CricketArchive. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ Cozier, Tony. "West Indies cricket needs Legends' clout". Cricinfo. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ a b "New prime minister of Grenada sworn in". Caribbean Net News. 10 July 2008. Archived from the original on 31 July 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ a b c Political Parties of the World (6th edition, 2005), ed. Bogdan Szajkowski, page 265.
- ^ a b "Jul 1989 - Grenada", Keesing's Record of World Events, volume 35, July 1989, Grenada, page 36,812.
- ^ "Jun 1995 - New Grenada Cabinet", Keesing's Record of World Events, volume 41, June 1995, Grenada, page 40,592.
- ^ a b Worme, George (10 July 2008). "Thomas wins by a landslide in Grenada". The Nation. Barbados. Archived from the original on 14 July 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ "A decisive victory: Let there be no doubt". grenadabroadcast.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ "Mitchell is new Opposition Leader" Archived 12 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Grenada Today, 26 July 2008.
- ^ "Clean sweep" Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Jamaica Observer, 21 February 2013.
- ^ "Clean sweep! Grenada PM predicts repeat victory". WIC News. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
- ^ "Grenada PM passes Finance ministry torch". www.loopnewscaribbean.com. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ Today, Barbados (24 June 2022). "GRENADA ELECTIONS - Opposition National Democratic Congress wins general elections". Barbados Today.
- ^ Rohter, Larry (11 May 1997). "U.S. Calm Over Cuba-Grenada Ties". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "Grenada PM pledges continued support for China | Loop Caribbean News". Loop News. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ Rohter, Larry (14 October 1996). "No Thanks! And You Can Tell It to the Marines". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "Comfort Begins Medical Services in Grenada". U.S. Southern Command. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
External links
edit
- "Biography: Keith Claudius Mitchell". Official website of the government of Grenada.
- Profile at BBC
- Interview with Global: the international briefing (2015)