ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC—Former foreign affairs minister Peter David has quit the main opposition New National Party (NNP) less than a month after withdrawing his nomination for the party’s leadership.
In a statement, the NNP, who last December elected Emmalin Pierre to head the party, said it wanted to “extend our gratitude” to David for his years of service and contributions.
“We appreciate Honorable David’s service over the years, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” said Pierre.
In his letter of resignation, David, the party’s former deputy general secretary, said that his decision to leave “comes after careful consideration and reflection on the path I have witnessed the party take over the past several years, especially the last year in the lead up to the National Convention.”
Before last month’s convention, David, the parliamentary representative for the Town of St. George, had spoken of a “massive widespread gerrymandering in the lead-up.”
David, an attorney, said that a decade ago, when he joined the NNP, which was led and founded by the former prime minister and current Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Mitchell, he “did so with a deep belief in the party’s ideals of progress, inclusivity, and democracy.
“I dedicated myself fully to its mission and significantly contributed to its victories in two successive elections. I believed the NNP was an organization committed to empowering its members and fostering an environment where ambition and freedom of ideas could thrive based on democratic principles, merit, and the collective good.”
But he said that over the last year, his experience within the party has starkly contradicted these values.
“The actions of the party leadership, including the public personal attacks, the spreading of falsehoods, the deliberate attempts to undermine my integrity, and that of several other long-standing dedicated members have left me disillusioned within this organization.”
David, a former member of the now-ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), said that despite numerous provocations, he chose to remain focused on the work the NNP was elected to do and the people it was meant to serve.
The NNP lost the 2022 general election by a 9-6 margin after previously controlling all 15 seats in the Parliament.
David said that he had conducted his campaign for leadership of the NNP “openly, transparently, and respectfully, adhering to the rules even when they were unfairly used against me.
“I hoped the process would be fair, democratic, and inclusive, and I always made it clear that I would support whoever emerged from such a contest. Unfortunately, as the convention approached, the leadership resorted to personal attacks, branding me as a poison and a “cancer” in the party that they needed to get rid of simply because I aspired to lead. Many colleagues who privately supported a new direction remained silent as this unfolded publicly. It became clear that I needed to reevaluate my place within the NNP.”
In his resignation letter addressed to the party’s chairman, David said regrettably, the direction of the NNP “is no longer an environment where democratic principles or mutual respect are upheld.
“It is no longer an environment in which I care to dedicate the rest of my days to politics or in life. It is no longer an environment I am proud to be a part of.”
But he said he wanted to clarify that his resignation “is not a reflection of the good people and supporters of the party, many decent, hardworking individuals who still hold the values that initially drew me to the NNP.
“Nor is it a critique of those of several colleagues who continue to serve with honor and dedication.”
He said his decision is solely based on the party’s leadership and current direction, betraying the principles of fairness and opportunity it once promised.
“It sends a damaging message to any party member with ambition: they must not seek leadership unless sanctioned from the top, lest they face vilification. This is not the democratic and inclusive party I once believed in.”
David said he would continue to serve his constituents to the best of his ability, adding, “My commitment to representing all Grenadians, advocating for policies that improve the lives of our people, and upholding the values of integrity and service to the country remains steadfast.
“I trust that, in time, the true spirit of democratic governance will return to the political landscape of our nation, and all Grenadians will have the opportunity to thrive in a society where fairness, opportunity, and respect for one another are the guiding principles,” he added.
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