In a significant political development, groups in rural St. Andrew’s, St. Patrick’s, and South St. George’s have reportedly invited former Foreign Minister Peter David to address them in the coming weeks. This comes amid growing calls for David to establish his own political movement following his recent resignation from the opposition New National Party (NNP).
David’s first public political event since leaving the NNP was held on Thursday night in his constituency of St. George’s. The meeting, which took place at a school near the national stadium, drew a massive crowd, with the hall packed to capacity and an overflow of attendees spilling outside. Local media estimated the turnout at approximately 300 people—a notable figure, especially compared to recent public events hosted by the NNP’s new leader, Emmalin Pierre, which failed to attract similar numbers.
The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Archie Bain, the St. George’s Northwest Campaign Manager for former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell. Bain, who remains the head of the NNP branch in Mitchell’s constituency, was among those who showed up to hear David speak. Also in attendance was Wayne James, who was appointed by Mitchell last year as the “Deputy NNP Lead” for the St. Andrew’s North West constituency. James took to the stage to publicly declare his support for David, stating, “Peter David, you have my unflinching support.” He praised David for his long-standing commitment to serving the people of Grenada, regardless of their political affiliations.
Other notable attendees included Clarice Charles, a former NNP General Secretary and ex-Minister of Education and Agriculture, as well as a newly elected member of the NNP Youth Arm. Dr. Bert Brathwaite, a long-time ally of Dr. Mitchell who was barred from NNP executive meetings over two decades ago for advocating internal party reforms, was also present.
During his address, David criticized the NNP’s leadership, accusing them of disrespecting party members and undermining democratic principles. “The leadership has shown the members of the party no respect for their views,” he told the audience. “The people are just there as pawns to be manipulated. This was not just disrespect to me; this was disrespecting the party, the delegates, the members, everybody who depends on democracy.”
David’s remarks come after a contentious period within the NNP, which saw him effectively barred from contesting the party’s leadership following a nine-month public campaign against him by former Prime Minister Keith Mitchell. Scores of elected delegates were removed from the roster ahead of the leadership election, a move that many observers criticized as unfair. Emmalin Pierre, who was recently elected as the NNP’s new leader, defended the process, stating that “other people” are entitled to their opinions.
Since David’s resignation, the NNP has faced internal turmoil, with the entire executive of the Town of St. George constituency branch and most members of the St. Patrick’s West branch quitting the party. More resignations are expected in the coming weeks, though some NNP supporters have dismissed the departures as “house cleaning.”
At Thursday’s meeting, many attendees urged David to form a new political party. However, the now-independent MP indicated that he is in no rush to make a decision, emphasizing the need to listen to the broader Grenadian population. “When I came to the NNP, I came with a few thousand supporters,” he reminded the crowd. “It was not about me. It was about us.”
David’s next steps remain unclear, but his ability to draw such a large and diverse crowd suggests that he remains a influential figure in Grenadian politics. As calls for a new movement grow, all eyes are on David to see whether he will heed the demands of his supporters and chart a new course for the country’s political landscape.
For now, the former foreign minister appears focused on engaging with the people, listening to their concerns, and building a movement that prioritizes unity and democracy. As one attendee put it, “Peter David has always been about the people. Whatever he decides to do next, we’ll be behind him.”
