Keith Mitchell

For other people named Keith Mitchell, see Keith Mitchell (disambiguation).
The Right Honourable
 Keith Claudius Mitchell
Prime Minister of Grenada
In office
22 June 1995 – 9 July 2008
Monarch Elizabeth II
Governor General Daniel Williams
Preceded by George Brizan
Succeeded by Tillman Thomas
Personal details
Born 12 November 1946 (1946-11-12) (age 65)
Brizan, St George's, Grenada
Nationality Grenadian
Political party New National Party
Spouse(s) Marietta Mitchell
Children Olinga Mitchell
Alma mater University of the West Indies
American University

Keith Claudius Mitchell (born November 12, 1946) is a Grenadian politician who served as Prime Minister of Grenada from 1995 to 2008. He was the longest serving Prime Minister Grenada has ever had, serving just over 13 years as Prime Minister. He is currently the leader of the New National Party (NNP) and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament.

Mitchell is graduated from the University of the West Indies with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and chemistry in 1971. He a gained a masters degree from Howard University in 1975 and a doctorate in mathematics and statistics from American University in 1979.[1] In the December 1984 general election, he 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.[2] Mitchell was elected as leader of the NNP in January 1989,[3][4] defeating Prime Minister Herbert Blaize.[3] Blaize then dismissed Mitchell from his position as Minister of Works and Communications on July 21, 1989.[4]

After the NNP was victorious in the general election held on June 20, 1995, winning eight out of 15 seats in the House of Representatives, Mitchell took office as Prime Minister, along with his Cabinet, on June 22.[5] 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.[3]

The New National Party was defeated in the general election held on July 8, 2008 by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), winning only four seats against 11 for the NDC.[6] Mitchell himself was re-elected to his seat from St. George North West.[2][7] NDC leader Tillman Thomas succeeded Mitchell as Prime Minister on July 9. Mitchell said that the people voted for change and congratulated Thomas.[6] Following the election, he continued as NNP leader and was sworn in as Leader of the Opposition on July 16, 2008.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Biography: Keith Claudius Mitchell". Government of Grenada. 9 October, 2009. http://www.gov.gd/biographies/keith_mitchell_bio.html. Retrieved 1 October 2011. 
  2. ^ a b "New prime minister of Grenada sworn in", Caribbean Net News, July 10, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c Political Parties of the World (6th edition, 2005), ed. Bogdan Szajkowski, page 265.
  4. ^ a b "Jul 1989 - GRENADA", Keesing's Record of World Events, Volume 35, July, 1989 Grenada, Page 36812.
  5. ^ "Jun 1995 - New Grenada Cabinet", Keesing's Record of World Events, Volume 41, June, 1995 Grenada, Page 40592.
  6. ^ a b George Worme, "Thomas wins by a landslide in Grenada", The Nation (Barbados), July 10, 2008.
  7. ^ "A DECISIVE VICTORY: LET THERE BE NO DOUBT", GrenadaBroadcast.com.
  8. ^ "Mitchell is new Opposition Leader", Grenada Today, July 26, 2008.
Preceded by
George Brizan		 Prime Minister of Grenada
1995–2008		 Succeeded by
Tillman Thomas