Keith Mitchell

Education and personal life

Keith Claudius Mitchell was born in the community of Brizan, Saint George. 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. He then worked as a statistician at Applied Management Sciences, providing statistical support to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In 1984, Mitchell gave up his professional activities to return home to Grenada after the U.S. invasion.

Cricket career

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

Political career

In the December 1984 general election, Mitchell 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. Mitchell was elected as leader of the NNP in January 1989, defeating Prime Minister Herbert Blaize. Blaize then dismissed Mitchell from his position as Minister of Communications and Works on 21 July 1989.

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. 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. Mitchell held the additional portfolio of Minister of Finance for three periods.

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. Mitchell himself was re-elected to his seat from St. George North West. NDC leader Tillman Thomas succeeded Mitchell as prime minister on 9 July. Mitchell said that the people voted for change and congratulated Thomas.

In the February 2013 general election, the NNP again won all 15 parliamentary seats. After this resounding victory, Mitchell was sworn in as prime minister on 20 February 2013. 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. Mitchell held the additional portfolio of minister of finance until 2020.

In June 2022, Mitchell called a snap general election. His New National Party was defeated by the National Democratic Congress under Dickon Mitchell (no relation), winning just 6 seats to the NDC's 9. Mitchell subsequently became Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives of Grenada. Ahead of the 2024 national convention of the NNP, Mitchell announced that he would not seek re-election as leader, stepping back after over 35 years in the role. He was succeeded as leader by Emmalin Pierre. Mitchell subsequently resigned as Leader of the Opposition on 21 February 2025, recommending Pierre as his successor.

Foreign policy

In 1997, Mitchell became the first prime minister since Maurice Bishop to visit Cuba, signing an economic cooperation agreement. He re-established relations with the People's Republic of China in 2005.

Mitchell approved 1996 plans by the United States Coast Guard to build a base on Petite Martinique. He allowed medical visits from USNS Comfort (T-AH-20).

Honours and awards

Recipient of the Order of José Martí of Cuba.

References

References

1. (14 April 2020). "Tobias Clement appointed Leader of the Opposition". Now Grenada.
2. (15 December 2024). "Emmalin Pierre declared NNP Political Leader". NOW Grenada.
3. "Opposition Leaders - Grenada Parliament".
4. "Grenada: Mitchell sworn in as Opposition Leader {{!}} Loop Caribbean News".
5. (9 October 2009). "Biography: Keith Claudius Mitchell". Government of Grenada.
6. Mitchell, Keith Claudius. (1980). "A study of ridge regression and some examples of its application in multivariate analysis". American University.
7. (1 June 2017). "Interview with Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada". [[Amstat News]].
8. "Keith Mitchell".
9. "West Indies cricket needs Legends' clout".
10. (10 July 2008). "New prime minister of Grenada sworn in". Caribbean Net News.
11. ''Political Parties of the World'' (6th edition, 2005), ed. Bogdan Szajkowski, page 265.
12. "Jul 1989 - Grenada", ''Keesing's Record of World Events'', volume 35, July 1989, Grenada, page 36,812.
13. "Jun 1995 - New Grenada Cabinet", ''Keesing's Record of World Events'', volume 41, June 1995, Grenada, page 40,592.
14. Worme, George. (10 July 2008). "Thomas wins by a landslide in Grenada". The Nation.
15. . (). ["A decisive victory: Let there be no doubt"](http://www.grenadabroadcast.com/content/view/2818/1/). *grenadabroadcast.com*.
16. Following the election, he continued as NNP leader and was sworn in as Leader of the Opposition on 16 July 2008.[http://www.belgrafix.com/gtoday/2008news/Jul/Jul26/Mitchell-is-new-Opposition-Leader.htm "Mitchell is new Opposition Leader"] {{webarchive. link. (12 October 2008 , Grenada Today, 26 July 2008.)
17. [http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Clean-sweep_13681618 "Clean sweep"] {{Webarchive. link. (4 March 2016 , ''Jamaica Observer'', 21 February 2013.)
18. (9 November 2017). "Clean sweep! Grenada PM predicts repeat victory". WIC News.
19. "Grenada PM passes Finance ministry torch".
20. (24 June 2022). "GRENADA ELECTIONS - Opposition National Democratic Congress wins general elections". Barbados Today.
21. Rohter, Larry. (1997-05-11). "U.S. Calm Over Cuba-Grenada Ties". The New York Times.
22. (November 26, 2020). "Grenada PM pledges continued support for China {{!}} Loop Caribbean News".
23. Rohter, Larry. (1996-10-14). "No Thanks! And You Can Tell It to the Marines". The New York Times.
24. (September 16, 2019). "Comfort Begins Medical Services in Grenada".