St. George’s, November 2, 2012 – A former senior member of Grenada’s ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has publicly declared that he will not support the party in general elections expected within a few months.
Stanford Simon, who once served as party chairman, also wants parliament – which was prorogued in September – to be reconvened.
“Parliament should be reopened,’’ Simon said in a local radio interview on WEE FM.
“Elections should be called.’’ He added. “Let people go back to the polls and decide who they want to lead them.’’
Simon, a Baptist pastor, was actively involved in the NDC’s 2008 election campaign. The party won the polls 11 – 4 over the New National Party (NNP).
However, five of the 11 NDC MPs are now out of government.
The five, along with Simon and four others, were also expelled from the NDC at the party’s September 30 convention.
Asked whether he’ll vote for the NDC at the next general election, Simon responded: “No, I will not. My position is very clear on that. I do not believe that they have this country at heart as they have said. What is happening now within the National Democratic Congress is not what I have fought for.’’
Grenada needs a “new brand of politics,’’ said Simon.
“I believe that and I want to be a part of that new way forward. I believe we can have a better country if we put what we know is right ahead of what we feel is right.’’
Several people have been named as caretakers and potential election candidates for both the NNP and NDC.
Earlier this week, cultural artiste Harrison Fleary was endorsed as the caretaker and likely NDC candidate for Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
He’s replacing Senator George Prime, who lost the seat in 2003 and 2008 to NNP deputy leader, Elvin Nimrod.
Simon is urging that elections be held as soon as possible.
“Let the people make up their minds,’’ he said. “If you have such confidence that you will win the next general election, then there is no reason to fuss about it.’’
His vote and support in an election, said Simon, will be placed “where I believe it would be in the best interest of our country.’’
Simon noted Prime Minister Tillman Thomas’s frequent references to the constitutionality of the prorogation of parliament.
At the same time, said Simon, the Grenadian leader has called the filing of a no-confidence motion against his government by former Foreign Minister, Karl Hood, as an unpatriotic act.
“The two actions – to prorogue and the no-confidence motion – are allowed within the constitution,’’ the former NDC chairman said. “If one is patriotic, it means the both are patriotic. If one is unpatriotic, it means the both of them are unpatriotic.’’
