New National Party (Grenada)

New National Party
AbbreviationNNP
LeaderEmmalin Pierre
ChairpersonKeith Mitchell
General SecretaryRoland Bhola
FoundedAugust 26, 1984 (1984-08-26)[1]
Merger ofGNP, GDM, NDP
HeadquartersTempe, St George
Youth wingNew National Party Youth (NNPYouth)
IdeologyConservatism[2]
Economic liberalism
Republicanism (factions)[3]
Political positionCentre-right
Regional affiliationCaribbean Democrat Union
International affiliationInternational Democracy Union[4]
ColoursKelly Green
House of Representatives
5 / 15
Senate
3 / 13
Website
www.subscribetonnp.org

The New National Party (NNP), also known as NNP Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique,[5] is a conservative political party in Grenada. It is led by Emmalin Pierre.

The party was founded in August 1984 through the merger of the Grenada National Party, led by Herbert Blaize, the National Democratic Party, led by George Brizan, and the Grenada Democratic Movement (GDM), led by Francis Alexis.[6][7] Led by Blaize,[8] the NNP won 14 out of 15 seats in the December 1984 general election, and Blaize became prime minister.[7][8] Mitchell was elected as leader of the NNP in January 1989,[7][9] defeating Prime Minister Herbert Blaize.[7] In the 1990 general election, the NNP won two seats and was left in opposition.[7]

The party was victorious in the 1995 general election, winning eight out of 15 seats in the House of Representatives, and Mitchell became prime minister. After the NNP lost its majority due to the resignation of Raphael Fletcher, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in November 1998, an early election was called for January 1999, the New National Party (NNP) won all seats. The NNP narrowly won a third term in power in the November 2003 election, reduced to a one-seat parliamentary majority.[7]

In the general election held on 27 November 2003, the party won 48.0% of the popular vote and 8 out of 15 seats. In the July 2008 general election, the party lost to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), winning four seats against 11 for the NDC. NDC leader Tillman Thomas succeeded Mitchell as Prime Minister of Grenada.

In the 2013 general election, the New National Party returned to power, after winning all 15 seats. This was the second time a political party won all constituencies in a general election.[10] At the 2018 General Election, the New National Party was able to retain all 15 seats. In November 2021, Prime Minister Keith Mitchell said that the upcoming general elections which are constitutionally due no later than June 2023, will be the last one for him.[11] Early elections were held in June 2022 and Mitchell ultimately led the party to defeat.

The New National Party (NNP) convention held on Sunday, December 15, elected the party's first female political leader. Emmalin Pierre served as a public relations professional before being elected to political leader. Norland Cox is the newly elected deputy political leader.

List of leaders of the New National Party

Leader Took office Left office
Herbert Blaize August 1984 January 1989
Keith Mitchell January 1989 December 2024
Emmalin Pierre December 2024 Incumbent

Electoral history

House of Representatives elections

Election Party leader Votes % Seats +/– Position Result
1984 Herbert Blaize 24,045 58.6%
14 / 15
 Increase 8 Increase 1st Supermajority government
1990 Keith Mitchell 6,916 17.5%
2 / 15
 Decrease 12 Decrease 3rd Opposition
1995 14,154 32.4%
8 / 15
 Increase 6 Increase 1st Majority government
1999 25,896 62.5%
15 / 15
 Increase 7 Steady 1st Won all seats
2003 22,556 47.8%
8 / 15
 Decrease 7 Steady 1st Majority government
2008 27,189 47.8%
4 / 15
 Decrease 4 Decrease 2nd Opposition
2013 32,031 58.8%
15 / 15
 Increase 11 Increase 1st Won all seats
2018 33,786 58.9%
15 / 15
 Steady Steady 1st Won all seats
2022 28.959 47.8%
6 / 15
 Decrease 9 Decrease 2nd Opposition

See also

References

  1. ^ https://www.ifes.org/sites/default/files/r01622_0.pdf Confederating the New National Party
  2. ^ Mars, Perry (1998), Ideology and Change: The Transformation of the Caribbean Left, Wayne State University Press, p. 89
  3. ^ Kevz Politics 🇰🇳 [@KevzPolitics] (24 December 2021). "#UPDATE: Grenada PM Dr Keith Mitchell has thrown his support behind Grenada removing Queen Elizabeth II as head of state to become a republic; says however, the constitution requires a referendum - 66.6% majority is needed to pass; will support it regardless of who is in office" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 August 2022 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ "Members | International Democracy Union". February 1, 2018.
  5. ^ "NNP Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
  6. ^ "May 1988 - Internal political and economic developments", Keesing's Record of World Events, volume 34, May 1988, Grenada, page 35,888.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Political Parties of the World (6th edition, 2005), ed. Bogdan Szajkowski, page 265.
  8. ^ a b "Jan 1985 - General election and resumption of Parliament - Formation of Blaize government - Foreign relations Opening of airport - Start of murder trial", Keesing's Record of World Events, volume 31, January 1985, Grenada, page 33,327.
  9. ^ "Jul 1989 - Grenada", Keesing's Record of World Events, volume 35, July 1989, Grenada, page 36,812.
  10. ^ "Grenada opposition wins clean sweep in general election". BBC News. 20 February 2013.
  11. ^ "PM Mitchell: Upcoming general elections will be fascinating | NOW Grenada". 2 November 2021. Archived from the original on 21 April 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2021.