St. George’s, April 9, 2012 – Grenada’s Education Minister has said that she would consider seeking elected political office if it would help with the survival of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) party.
“It is something that I am still considering, solely for the sake of the party,’’ said Senator Franka Bernardine.
Bernardine was appointed to the Upper House of Parliament in 2008, following the 11 – 4 general election victory of the NDC over the New National Party that had held office for 13 years.
Prior to her senatorial appointment, Bernardine – now a member of the NDC – worked as an educator and was involved with various civil society groups.
She ran unsuccessfully last year for the deputy chairmanship of the NDC, and has been closely associated with a group within the party that has been dubbed, the Fight the Leftists Movement (FTLM). The name appears to be a reference to comments recently made by Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, Leader of the NDC.
Thomas, who was imprisoned during the period of the Grenada revolution from 1979 – 1983, was quoted at a closed door meeting of the NDC as saying that his duty is to fight leftist elements in the society again.
Some interpreted the remarks as a sign that Thomas is now trying to frame allegations of divisions in the NDC as having to do with ideology, and not with differences with party and government members on the extent of the country’s socio-economic problems and on the approach to delivering on jobs and other pressing issues.
Trade union leader, Chester Humphrey, claims that there is now “anti-left hysteria’’ in the NDC.
But “fighting the left’’ presents many an insurmountable challenge for the fighter, charged Humphrey, who represents the labour movement in the Senate.
“It’s a real quagmire,’’ he said, “and equates to the difficulties the Americans faced in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan – who and or where is the enemy?’’
Bernardine, who reportedly attended a meeting last Saturday of the so-called FTLM, said she has been “very honoured’’ by the encouragement she has been receiving to run for elected political office.
Her name has cropped up as a possible candidate for the Town of St. George and St. George South.
The incumbent in the Town of St. George is Peter David, NDC General Secretary and Minister for Tourism. The sitting MP in St. George South is Labour Minister, Glynis Roberts.
Bernardine has described as “speculation,’’ talk of her having decided to run for any seat in the elections that are due by next year.
However, the education minister admits that she is “looking at the possibilities’’ of running.
“Although I have indicated quite clearly that I have taken no decision yet, I would not allow that party in any way to fall, if there is anything I can do to ensure that this party moves ahead. Rest assured that I will indeed do it,’’ Bernardine told broadcaster George Grant in an interview Sunday.