Keith Mitchell

Keith Claudius Mitchell (born 12 November 1946) is a Grenadian politician who has been Prime Minister of Grenada since 2013; previously he served as Prime Minister from 1995 to 2008. He is the longest-serving Prime Minister Grenada has ever had, holding the office for almost 19 years. He is currently leader of the New National Party (NNP) and was Leader of the Opposition from 2008 to 2013.

For other people named Keith Mitchell, see Keith Mitchell (disambiguation).

The Right Honourable Keith Mitchell MP
9th Prime Minister of Grenada
Incumbent
Assumed office 20 February 2013
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor General	Carlyle Glean Cécile La Grenade
Preceded by	Tillman Thomas
In office 22 June 1995 – 9 July 2008
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor General	Daniel Williams
Preceded by	George Brizan
Succeeded by	Tillman Thomas
Leader of the New National Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 18 January 1989
Preceded by	Herbert Blaize
Leader of the Opposition
In office 9 July 2008 – 20 February 2013
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	Tillman Thomas
Preceded by	Tillman Thomas
Succeeded by	Vacant
Member of Parliament for St. George North West
Incumbent
Assumed office 3 December 1984
Preceded by	George Hosten
Majority	2,500 (71.61%)
Personal details
Born	Keith Claudius Mitchell (1946-11-12) 12 November 1946 Brizan, British Windward Islands (now Grenada)
Political party	New National Party
Spouse(s)	Marietta Mitchell
Children	Olinga Mitchell
Alma mater	University of the West Indies Howard University American University Presentation Brothers' College

Education and personal life

Keith Claudius Mitchell was born in the community of Brizan, Saint George's. Mitchell graduated from the University of the West Indies with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and chemistry in 1971. He gained a master's degree from Howard University in 1975 and a doctorate in mathematics and statistics from American University in 1979.[1] He then worked as a statistician at Applied Management Sciences, providing statistical support to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Mitchell gave up his professional activities to return home to Grenada after the U.S. invasion in 1984.[2]

Cricket career

Mitchell was also a cricketer, a spin bowler, who captained the Grenada team in 1973.[3] He has since been a prominent cricket administrator in the West Indies alongside his political career.[4]

Political career

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.[5] Mitchell was elected as leader of the NNP in January 1989,[6][7] defeating Prime Minister Herbert Blaize.[6] Blaize then dismissed Mitchell from his position as Minister of Works and Communications on 21 July 1989.[7]

After the NNP was victorious in the general election held on 20 June 1995, winning eight out of 15 seats in the House of Representatives, Mitchell took office as Prime Minister, along with his Cabinet, on 22 June.[8] 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.[6]

The New National Party was defeated in the general election held on 8 July 2008 by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), winning only four seats against 11 for the NDC.[9] Mitchell himself was re-elected to his seat from St. George North West.[5][10] NDC leader Tillman Thomas succeeded Mitchell as Prime Minister on 9 July. Mitchell said that the people voted for change and congratulated Thomas.[9] Following the election, he continued as NNP leader and was sworn in as Leader of the Opposition on 16 July 2008.[11]

In the February 2013 general election, the NNP won all 15 parliamentary seats. After this resounding victory, Mitchell was sworn in as Prime Minister on 20 February 2013.[12] Looking ahead to the next election, Mitchell predicted that his party could win all 15 seats in parliament for a third time. Mitchell and his New National Party created history by retaining all 15 seats in the Grenada General Election of 13 March 2018. It is the first time any political party regionally or otherwise has achieved such a feat.[13]

In 2019, an Al Jazeera English report discussed allegations that Mitchell sold diplomatic roles to foreigners in exchange for government kickbacks.[14]

References

1. "Biography: Keith Claudius Mitchell". Government of Grenada. 9 October 2009. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
2. http://magazine.amstat.org/blog/2017/06/01/interview-with-keith-mitchell-prime-minister-of-grenada/
3. "Keith Mitchell". CricketArchive. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
4. Cozier, Tony. "West Indies cricket needs Legends' clout". Cricinfo. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
5. "New prime minister of Grenada sworn in". Caribbean Net News. 10 July 2008. Archived from the original on 31 July 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
6. Political Parties of the World (6th edition, 2005), ed. Bogdan Szajkowski, page 265.
7. "Jul 1989 - Grenada", Keesing's Record of World Events, volume 35, July 1989, Grenada, page 36,812.
8. "Jun 1995 - New Grenada Cabinet", Keesing's Record of World Events, volume 41, June 1995, Grenada, page 40,592.
9. Worme, George (10 July 2008). "Thomas wins by a landslide in Grenada". The Nation. Barbados. Archived from the original on 14 July 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
10. "A decisive victory: Let there be no doubt". grenadabroadcast.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
11. "Mitchell is new Opposition Leader" Archived 12 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Grenada Today, 26 July 2008.
12. "Clean sweep", Jamaica Observer, 21 February 2013.
13. "Clean sweep! Grenada PM predicts repeat victory". WIC News. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
14. "Exclusive: Caribbean officials linked to diplomatic passport sale". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 26 November 2019.

External links

• "Biography: Keith Claudius Mitchell". Official website of the government of Grenada.
• Profile at BBC

Political offices
Preceded by George Brizan	Prime Minister of Grenada 1995–2008	Succeeded by Tillman Thomas
Preceded by Tillman Thomas	Prime Minister of Grenada 2013–present	Incumbent