by Linda Straker
- NDC discussion with Clement began months ago
- Clement made announcement during joint press conference with NDC
- Clement’s appointees in Upper House will be affiliating with NDC
Tobias Clement, who resigned from the ruling New National Party in late 2019 and filled the vacant post of Opposition Leader in Grenada’s Lower House of Parliament in April 2020, has announced that he will be aligning himself with the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“We come together in the spirit of unity, in the spirit of reconciliation. To bring our resources, our talents together so that we can put the best foot forward to stem the tide of what is there now,” Clement announced during a joint press conference with the NDC on Wednesday, 11 August 2021.
“When you do all the calculations will more (political parties) be what is needed in Grenada at this point in time?” Clement asked while disclosing that 3 persons who he appointed in the Upper House of Parliament will be affiliating themselves with the NDC.
“We look at a developing platform for Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique that will bring people together…And so after much discussion and much calculation, we decide to put out the call there, and I did put out the call to say that if we have to go forward in a meaningful way, we must come together as opposition groups,” Clement said during the virtual news conference.
“So, I sat with the leadership of the NDC. We had some casual frank discussions as to the direction we want to go.” Clement claimed there was no behind the scene deal, or a hidden agenda attached to his public announcement that his political support will be aligned with the beliefs and views of the NDC. The NDC has failed to win any parliamentary seats in the 2013 and 2018 general elections.
Clement at present, is not a member of the NDC. However, the party has announced that it’s on a membership drive and in recent times, membership has been on the upswing.
Adrian Thomas who is Interim Leader of the NDC said that discussion with Clement began months ago and the announcement of the alliance was made to provide an update to the public, in particular the members of the party, that they are forward as a united team with Clement.
Grenada needs at least four political parties. Grenada needs statesmanship and serious lawyers that will take impunity of elected officials. Furthermore, Grenada needs institutions and people who are free from political influence.
When there is blatant maladministration the P.M and Ministers answers to no one and are not held accountable.
It seems everyone has a price in Grenada. There is no integrity, ethics and honesty.
It will be very difficult to find a group people in Grenada without political bias. In fact there are no laws that compel anyone to be objective as it is all color politics…when one color is power the other call murder…when they get in power they do nothing prevent corruption/Cronyism.
Until there are serious lawyers compelling officials to answer nothing will change…
There should be laws preventing foreign money in Grenada politics. All political parties must made to disclose source of funds..there should be limits to what individuals and businesses can donate…take money out of politics.
Grenadians abroad should not allow to financially contribute unless they can vote.
In fact all Grenadians at home and abroad must be allowed to vote. A Grenadian is a Grenadian, is a Grenadian.
A vibrant opposition is good for any democracy. God bless Grenada!
NDC has always said what we will do. We are the only party in opposition that has put out a policy document years before an election. Anyone who follows our public meetings and social media sites will know our positions on moving Grenada forward.
It is great to see the coming together of patriotic forces in the national interest. This is not a time for seeking personal glory but for building a national front to rescue and rebuild Grenada.
Tobias and company are opportunists! It was expected that he will align hi!self with NDC. Sad to say I don’t think they stand a chance of winning the election more or less they will remain in opposition. Their leadership style must change plus they need to start saying what they would do for country!
Now is a good time to start strengthening this party before the next election as without strong leadership I have to say they don’t stand a chance.