Grenada Parliament to dissolve as Keith Mitchell delivers farewell address

Grenada’s Parliament is set to be dissolved on Friday, paving the way for the country’s next general election, with Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell expected to announce the election date on Sunday.

The impending dissolution came as Parliament held a special sitting on Thursday to recognise former Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell’s 42 years representing the constituency of St George North-West.

For Keith Mitchell, the sitting was expected to be his final official appearance as a parliamentarian.

“This is expected to be the last time that I will be officially here as a parliamentarian, having served in this House for the last 42 years,” Mitchell said.

“I felt obliged to answer. The record should show them, in fact, the sentiments that I had on the final session of that service.”

Mitchell, who entered Parliament in 1984, reflected on his decades representing St George North-West and his relationship with constituents.

“I’ve served the people of North West St George for 42 years. I am very emotional when I talk over this, Mr Speaker, because there were tough times,” he said.

He recalled repeatedly winning large majorities in the constituency, including more than 90% of the vote in 1999.

Mitchell said his relationship with constituents had been more important than the political office itself.

“When you love people, and you show your relationship and consistency, not just the power and the position title, it means nothing,” he said.

Reflecting on his political record

Mitchell, who served as prime minister for nearly two decades, used the address to recount what he described as major changes in Grenada during his political career.

He pointed to the expansion of electricity into rural communities, saying national coverage increased from about 45% in 1984 to approximately 98% within five years.

He also recalled Grenada’s transition from an outdated crossbar telephone system to digital telecommunications and highlighted road development, particularly its impact on rural communities.

Among the major infrastructure projects he cited were the national stadium, Ministerial Complex, cruise ship port and the current Parliament building.

Mitchell also reflected on some of the country's most difficult periods, including the rebuilding effort following Hurricane Ivan, economic reforms and the fiscal crisis that followed his return to office in 2013.

Hurricane Ivan caused damage estimated at more than twice Grenada’s gross domestic product, while public debt later reached about 110% of GDP in 2013.

After returning to government in 2013, Mitchell’s administration pursued debt restructuring and implemented an International Monetary Fund-supported adjustment programme.

He also recalled the removal of personal income tax during the 1990s.

Mitchell acknowledged that his political record included mistakes.

“We all accept the fact that we are not perfect persons, and we all make mistakes. Who I am today was not the person I was in 1984,” he said.

He stressed that his departure from Parliament was voluntary.

“I am not being pushed out. I am doing so willingly,” Mitchell said, adding, “no one voted me out.”

“I expect the next time around I’ll be in the (public) gallery,” he said.

Prime minister pays tribute

Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, who shares the former prime minister’s surname but is not related to him, praised the former leader’s contribution to Grenada and his decades of public service.

“Regardless of where we may differ politically, we must acknowledge and respect the tremendous commitment required to dedicate decades of one’s life to public service,” the prime minister said.

“Dr The Rt. Honourable Keith Mitchell has served the people of St George North-West and Grenada for many years, and his contribution to our nation and the wider region is part of our history. On behalf of the Government and people of Grenada, I thank him for his service and extend best wishes to him.”

The prime minister also noted Keith Mitchell’s tenure as Grenada’s longest-serving prime minister and the sacrifices associated with such an extended period in public life.

He said Keith Mitchell entered public service shortly after the collapse of Maurice Bishop’s left-wing People’s Revolutionary Government and credited his contribution with helping to restore parliamentary democracy in Grenada.

With Parliament due to be dissolved Friday, the special sitting marked a significant moment in Grenada’s political history ahead of the next general election.