Keith Mitchell

"For the football player of the same name see Keith Mitchell (football player)."
"For the baseball player of the same name see Keith Mitchell (baseball)."Infobox Prime Minister


honorific-prefix = The Right Honourable
name = Keith Claudius Mitchell
caption =
order = Prime Minister of Grenada
monarch = Elizabeth II
governor_general = Daniel Williams
deputy =
term_start = 22 June 1995
term_end = 9 July 2008
predecessor = George Brizan
successor = Tillman Thomas
birth_date = birth date and age|1946|11|12|df=y
birth_place =
death_date =
death_place =
alma_mater = University of the West Indies
American University
spouse = Marietta Mitchell
children = Olinga Mitchell
party = New National Party

Keith Claudius Mitchell (born November 12, 1946) is a Grenadian politician who served as Prime Minister of Grenada from 1995 to 2008. He is the leader of the New National Party (NNP) and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament.

Mitchell is a graduate of the University of the West Indies and the American University. [ [http://pmoffice.gov.gd/ Prime Minister's Office] ] 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. [http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-9056--32-32--.html "New prime minister of Grenada sworn in"] , Caribbean Net News, July 10, 2008.] Mitchell was elected as leader of the NNP in January 1989,"Political Parties of the World" (6th edition, 2005), ed. Bogdan Szajkowski, page 265.] "Jul 1989 - GRENADA", Keesing's Record of World Events, Volume 35, July, 1989 Grenada, Page 36812.] defeating Prime Minister Herbert Blaize. Blaize then dismissed Mitchell from his position as Minister of Works and Communications on July 21 1989.

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. ["Jun 1995 - New Grenada Cabinet", Keesing's Record of World Events, Volume 41, June, 1995 Grenada, Page 40592.] 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.

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.George Worme, [http://www.nationnews.com/story/117373983578346.php "Thomas wins by a landslide in Grenada"] , "The Nation" (Barbados), July 10, 2008.] Mitchell himself was re-elected to his seat from St. George North West. [ [http://www.grenadabroadcast.com/content/view/2818/1/ "A DECISIVE VICTORY: LET THERE BE NO DOUBT"] , GrenadaBroadcast.com.] NDC leader Tillman Thomas succeeded Mitchell as Prime Minister on July 9. Mitchell said that the people voted for change and congratulated Thomas. Following the election, he continued as NNP leader and was sworn in as Leader of the Opposition on July 16 2008. [ [http://www.belgrafix.com/gtoday/2008news/Jul/Jul26/Mitchell-is-new-Opposition-Leader.htm "Mitchell is new Opposition Leader"] , Grenada Today, July 26, 2008.]

Legacy

He is praised for his flamboyant speeches and his leadership qualities. In the last few years of his government, some critics described him as a dictator for his alleged politicizing of the public service and muzzling of the media and other organizations; he was even compared to Robert Mugabe.Fact|date=August 2008

References

External links

* [http://pmoffice.gov.gd/ Prime Minister's Office] - Official site