Prime Minister Tillman Thomas
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| Hon. Tillman Thomas being sworn in as Prime Minister |
Wednesday July 9th, 2008- St. George’s: Veteran politician Tillman Thomas is the new Prime Minister of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
Thomas, leader of the National Democratic Congress, was sworn in as government leader by Governor General Sir Daniel William at 2.25 p.m. Wednesday, after taking the Oath of Office and the Oath at Allegiance.
“I congratulate you and wish you all the best,’’ Sir Daniel said to Prime Minister Thomas at the ceremony at the Grenada Trade Centre.
The swearing in follows Tuesday’s general election in which the NDC won 11 of the 15 parliament seats. The results marked the end of the 13-year reign of the New National Party, which had been seeking an unprecedented fourth term in office.
The victorious NDC candidates were:
Tillman Thomas : St. Patrick East
Joseph Gilbert : St. Patrick West
Alleyne Walker: St. Andrew North West
Patrick Simmons: St. Andrew South East
Sylvester Quarless: St. Andrew South West
Denis Lett: St. David
Michael Church: St. John
Glynis Roberts: St. George South
Karl Hood: St. George South East
Peter David: Town of St. George
Nazim Burke: St. George North East
The four NNP winners were party leader and former Prime Minister Keith Mitchell (St. George North West), Elvin Nimrod (Carriacou and Petite Martinique), Clarice Modest-Curwen (St. Mark) and Roland Bhola (St. Andrew North East).
Within two hours of the beginning of the announcement of the election results Tuesday night, and as it became clear that the NDC was romping to victory, jubilant party supporters poured into the streets in a spontaneous celebration. They wore NDC yellow T-shirts, waved flags and sang campaign songs.
The NDC then organized a late night rally in Morne Rouge, where Prime Minister-elect Thomas announced that, in consultation with the Governor General, he was declaring Wednesday a public holiday.
The biggest casualty of the election was Gregory Bowen, deputy leader of the NNP and former Agriculture and Energy Minister. He lost his St. George-South constituency to newcomer evangelical pastor, Karl Hood.
It is not clear as yet how Bowen's defeat will affect a request that he had made to the United States government for immunity against legal proceedings that had been filed against him by a businessman.
Bowen is accused of receiving a bribe in a failed oil exploration that was carried out in Grenada waters.
Anthony Boatswain, another former senior NNP minister, also went down to defeat. Boatswain, outgoing Economic Development Minister, was beaten by Gilbert, who is making his debut as a Member of Parliament.
NNP leader and former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell retained his St. George North-West seat, which he has represented for the past 24 years.
Thomas, a solicitor, described today’s swearing in ceremony as a historical moment for all those who believe in democracy.
It’s the beauty of democracy to have a transition of government without conflict, the new Prime Minister said.
On several occasions, Thomas was interrupted with rousing applause from the large crowd witnessing the ceremony at the Trade Centre.
“I am really surprised. I didn’t expect to see so many people here,’’ Thomas remarked.
He reiterated the NDC’s election pledge to be an inclusive government and to bring back good governance to the country.
“This change in government was more than politics. God was involved in it, Thomas said. “I believe that God wants us to bring back the trusteeship of governance. We, of the National Democratic Congress, are committed to the politics of inclusion.’’
The Prime Minister said the NDC government plans on providing the nation with peace, prosperity and harmony.
