PNP represents a very bold departure away from the two (2) political institutions that we have now in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique…and to do that you have to have some faith, institutional and organisational backing to be able to mount a political organisation like this, and I think with all those positive moving parts we are well positioned and well posture to ensure that we are successful in the next general elections.
That was the bold declaration of former National Democratic Congress (NDC) Cabinet Minister Jonathan La Crette as he officially launched the People’s National Party (PNP) in St. George’s last Thursday.
After a period of deliberate silence following his firing in July last year, La Crette officially stepped forward with his vision, presenting the fledgling political organisation as a fresh alternative to Grenada’s traditional two-party political landscape.
During a wide-ranging press conference, La Crette outlined the PNP’s core policy vision, introducing members of the party’s 7-member advisory council mainly based in the diaspora.
They are: Mitchell James Fine, Political Strategist, Energy Specialist , Attorney at Law based in California, Dr. Camille Rutherford, Associate Professor of Education at Brock University, Bernadette Modeste Cardell – an International Prayer Ambassador, Wendell Frederick – CEO Scott’s Medicals USA and Grenada, Dr. Donrie Purcell – Epidemiologist, Senior Public Health Expert, Policy Advisor & Data Systems Analysts, Marsha Clyne – International Philanthropic Strategist, Fundraising Director and NON- Profit Leader, and Professor Ed Brown, Entrepreneur, Business Strategist, Public Administration Specialist & Urban Development Expert.
At the heart of the PNP’s platform are pledges to reform education, expand healthcare access, strengthen national security, invest in youth and sports, and prioritise agriculture food security through agricultural revitalisation.
The PNP’s emergence adds another player to Grenada’s largely two-party system as the country approaches another electoral cycle.
“With this new paradigm shift and this new wave of newness and national renewal… I believe that we are at a particular juncture in our political history and a culture. We’re 51… and I really don’t consider PNP to be a third party but we are the first party of the next 51 years of Grenada’s future.,” La Crette said.
“So as a result, there is a particular demographic (of youth) that we are going to appeal… and as a result, I think there is a strong compelling stance that the PNP is taking,” he told reporters.
La Crette also took aim at what he described as a growing disconnect between government and grassroots communities,” vowing that the PNP would work to restore public trust in leadership.
“At this particular point in time, we are in the process of working out our social media campaign, as well as a consultation schedule because I believe one of the most effective ways that you can engage that particular demographic is through social media…but also in grassroots consultation with our youth. But as the caretakers come on board, they would be the point person to the respective constituencies,” he remarked.
He added that as a result, consultations will be held with the targeted demographic which will help inform the constituency manifestos for the respective caretakers.
In a significant move, the PNP has announced former Police Officer Kellon Phillip, as its caretaker in the St. Andrew South-west, the constituency currently held by Economic Development Minister Lennox Andrews.
Having retired from the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) a few years ago, after over a decade of service, Phillip now operates a trucking business in St. Andrew.
He spoke with THE NEW TODAY about his decision to enter politics, born out of his desire to serve Grenada and effect actual change in the lives of its people.
“Being a police officer, I’ve had the privilege to serve different administrations when they have political meetings throughout the island and you hear the plans (for the country) and sometimes you don’t see the plans that they say they are going to do, (coming into fruition), and people don’t benefit, you can see that the people’s lives are stagnant and we’re just going down and down in society and we find it difficult to reach up…and my desire is to see people become the best version of themselves,” Phillip explained.
La Crette has confirmed that he will again contest the St. George North-West seat, a historical stronghold of the New National Party (NNP) which has been in the hands of former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell since 1984.
In the 2022 general election, La Crette, then running under the ruling NDC party secured just over 20% of the vote, a record for a non-NNP candidate in that constituency.
Given his previous political experiences and controversies, as leader of the PNP, La Crette said he is carrying “lessons of conscience over command, lessons grounded in strategy that are not grounded in slogans, grounded in institutional governance, lessons that are grounded in real national progress that can be procreated with the people of Grenada Carriacou and Petite Martinique” into this new chapter of his political life.
With its manifesto already intact, the PNP is positioning itself as a new alternative in the upcoming national polls, constitutionally due in 2027.
La Crette spoke of plans to introduce a full team of candidates along with members of the PNP’s national council after the 2025 Carnival season.
There are reports that PNP has eyes set on a young male from the River Road area to contest the Town of St George constituency for the party in the upcoming general election.
