by Special Correspondent

CARIBUPDATE NEWS SERVICE

Saturday, July 7, 2012:  ST GEORGE’S, GRENADA: A senior minister in the Grenada government says she has opted for a party event rather than a self-styled Prime Minister’s rally to commemorate four years in office because it is the best hope for unity.

Foreign Trade Minister Glynis Roberts suggested that the rally being staged by the Prime Minister to contest the party-sponsored event is unfortunate.

Prime Minister Tillman Thomas has ordered a state rally in opposition to a party even Sunday which will observe the July 8, 2008 victory at the polls.

The hosting of separate events indicates the growing divide within Grenada’s ruling administration.

“I believe in institutions and the party is an institution,’’ Roberts told CARIBUPDATE NEWS.

“We never in the opposition had Leader of the Opposition rallies. All our rallies were centered around the party. I am a member of the party and I believe that vehicle that took us to government,’’ she said in explaining her stances.

“You know I wish the days in opposition when we just used to have fun will be back,’’ Roberts commented.

Speaking further on the situation, she said: “I was at the executive meeting and heard all the arguments put forward and the executive agreed that we should go to La Tante.’’

Roberts said it is crucial that everybody gets on board to try to keep the party united and build it further.

“Fundamentally when parliament is prorogued and an election is called, it is the party that takes us forward,’’ she noted.

Roberts said a lack of communication is one of the major challenges now within the ruling party.

There has been grumblings by some senior party officials that the Prime Minister has consistently refused to have deep conversations with members of the party that disagree with him on policy and direction issues.

“I had a conversation with (the Prime Minister) prior to last week… and I urged him that I think he had enough time that that he should speak to the comrades. Call them; speak to them and hear how they feel,’’ Roberts said. “But I think to date he has not yet call.’’

“I am hoping that at some time he will find it within himself to communicate,’’ Robert said.