Peter David emerges as leading candidate for NNP's leadership role

Source: WIC News
Author: Monica Walker

Grenada: In an interesting turn of events, Peter David is emerging as the topmost choice for the citizens of Grenada to lead to the opposition the New National Party - NNP.

The political party has been under the leadership of Keith Mitchell since 1989, but the recent findings reveal that the citizens now look for David as the new party leader.

In November 2021, former PM Keith Mitchell stated that the upcoming general elections which will be held in June 2023, will be the last one for him. But early elections were held in June 2022 in which the party lost to the National Democratic Congress (current ruling party), ultimately resulting in people losing their trust in Mitchell.

It is to be noted that earlier this year, during a local talk program, Peter David also said that he is willing to take up the leadership role of his political party.

In his statement, he said, "The party's constitution enables a member of the party in good standing to put themselves up for leadership, which is why I'm giving very active consideration to the issue of party's leadership."

He added that he is expecting that Keith Michell will stay at his word and will not put himself up for leadership during the next convention and there will be no other individuals putting themselves up for the leadership. As per David, it is high time, and he considers himself to be the major face of the New National Party.

Recently, a local news channel conducted a survey in which they asked Grenadians about their preference for NNP's leader.

Around 3000 people participated in this survey, and the results of the survey were rather 'shocking but expected' because people showed their confidence in Peter David (Presently NNP's assistant general secretary) and wanted him as the leader of the New National Party.

The survey revealed that around 73% of people who took part voted in favour of David, while just a mere 27% said that they still wanted Keith Mitchell as the NNP's leader.

Grenadians are looking for a major change in this party as it is one of Grenada's oldest and strongest parties. This major change in NNP will lead to a significant change in the political environment of the country, said the surveyors.

The reason behind people choosing David as the best leader for the party is because the politician has done a lot for the people of his country. At present, he engages in several tasks aimed at making Grenada a much better place for everyone and with him as the leader, the party and the country can surely grow and do well together, revealed the survey.

Peter David, aged 66, has been in the political scenario of Grenada since 2003 and in all these years, the man has all good records and has never been found to be involved with any illegitimate activity.

David was elected to the House of Representatives as an NDC candidate in the 2003 general election from St George. In 2008, he was re-elected from his constituency and became Minister of Tourism and Foreign Affairs.

The current member of Parliament for the St George has always been credited with leading the mobilization campaign which led Tillman Thomas and his party NDC to power during the 2008 elections.

Later, in 2013, David joined the New National Party and became a government senator after the party's whooping victory during the general election.

After the NNP won another landslide victory during the 2018 elections, David was announced as the Minister of Foreign Affairs before the cabinet reshuffling, after which his portfolio was switched to the Minister of Agriculture, a position which he held till June 2022.

Notably, David, who is seen as a likely successor to Dr Keith Mitchell as NNP leader, was polling higher than Mitchell in popularity during the 2013 elections. When he again represented the NNP from St George in 2018, he easily won by 1616 votes compared to 789 votes for Claudette Joseph of the NDC.

This shows people's trust in David and his leadership. The citizens of Grenada are very sure that the political turmoil in the country will come to a state of peace and settlement once David leads the New National Party.