ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC—Former international affairs minister Peter David has give up the primary opposition New Nationwide Get together (NNP) lower than a month after withdrawing his nomination for the social gathering’s management.
In an announcement, the NNP, who final December elected Emmalin Pierre to move the social gathering, mentioned it needed to “prolong our gratitude” to David for his years of service and contributions.
“We respect Honorable David’s service over time, and we want him all one of the best in his future endeavors,” mentioned Pierre.
In his letter of resignation, David, the social gathering’s former deputy basic secretary, mentioned that his resolution to depart “comes after cautious consideration and reflection on the trail I’ve witnessed the social gathering take over the previous a number of years, particularly the final 12 months within the lead as much as the Nationwide Conference.”
Earlier than final month’s conference, David, the parliamentary consultant for the City of St. George, had spoken of a “huge widespread gerrymandering within the lead-up.”
David, an lawyer, mentioned {that a} decade in the past, when he joined the NNP, which was led and based by the previous prime minister and present Opposition Chief Dr. Keith Mitchell, he “did so with a deep perception within the social gathering’s beliefs of progress, inclusivity, and democracy.
“I devoted myself absolutely to its mission and considerably contributed to its victories in two successive elections. I believed the NNP was a company dedicated to empowering its members and fostering an surroundings the place ambition and freedom of concepts might thrive primarily based on democratic rules, benefit, and the collective good.”
However he mentioned that during the last 12 months, his expertise throughout the social gathering has starkly contradicted these values.
“The actions of the social gathering management, together with the general public private assaults, the spreading of falsehoods, the deliberate makes an attempt to undermine my integrity, and that of a number of different long-standing devoted members have left me disillusioned inside this group.”
David, a former member of the now-ruling Nationwide Democratic Congress (NDC), mentioned that regardless of quite a few provocations, he selected to stay targeted on the work the NNP was elected to do and the folks it was meant to serve.
The NNP misplaced the 2022 basic election by a 9-6 margin after beforehand controlling all 15 seats within the Parliament.
David mentioned that he had carried out his marketing campaign for management of the NNP “brazenly, transparently, and respectfully, adhering to the principles even once they had been unfairly used in opposition to me.
“I hoped the method can be truthful, democratic, and inclusive, and I at all times made it clear that I might assist whoever emerged from such a contest. Sadly, because the conference approached, the management resorted to non-public assaults, branding me as a poison and a “most cancers” within the social gathering that they wanted to eliminate just because I aspired to steer. Many colleagues who privately supported a brand new route remained silent as this unfolded publicly. It grew to become clear that I wanted to reevaluate my place throughout the NNP.”
In his resignation letter addressed to the social gathering’s chairman, David mentioned regrettably, the route of the NNP “is not an surroundings the place democratic rules or mutual respect are upheld.
“It’s not an surroundings by which I care to dedicate the remainder of my days to politics or in life. It’s not an surroundings I’m proud to be part of.”
However he mentioned he needed to make clear that his resignation “just isn’t a mirrored image of the nice folks and supporters of the social gathering, many first rate, hardworking people who nonetheless maintain the values that originally drew me to the NNP.
“Neither is it a critique of these of a number of colleagues who proceed to serve with honor and dedication.”
He mentioned his resolution is solely primarily based on the social gathering’s management and present route, betraying the rules of equity and alternative it as soon as promised.
“It sends a dangerous message to any social gathering member with ambition: they have to not search management until sanctioned from the highest, lest they face vilification. This isn’t the democratic and inclusive social gathering I as soon as believed in.”
David mentioned he would proceed to serve his constituents to one of the best of his skill, including, “My dedication to representing all Grenadians, advocating for insurance policies that enhance the lives of our folks, and upholding the values of integrity and repair to the nation stays steadfast.
“I belief that, in time, the true spirit of democratic governance will return to the political panorama of our nation, and all Grenadians could have the chance to thrive in a society the place equity, alternative, and respect for each other are the guiding rules,” he added.
