ST ANDREW’S, GRENADA (MAY 21, 2014): – Declaring that Grenada’s New National Party has emerged with its working class credential intact, that country’s former Foreign Minister Peter David announced his membership of the ruling party.

The declaration came before a packed, overflowing hall  of cheering supporters and well-wishers at a public school in rural St Andrew’s Tuesday night.

David said he wanted to work with the NNP to help make a difference to ordinary Grenadians.

“For all its failings of the past, both real and imagined, the New National Party returned as the party of redemption; with a rare chance to guide us from a hurtful period of stagnation and regression,” David declared.

“The economic challenges this country face are too huge; and the times are too crucial for all of us to retreat to our political corners, just preparing to come back out in the ring to throw needless political blows. That might thrill the onlookers, but will do no good for the working people all over the country,” he said to a standing ovation.

David, once polled as the most popular politician in Grenada, was among nearly a dozen people expelled from the then ruling National Democratic Congress in 2012.

Among those witnessing the event Tuesday night were  two former NDC party chairmen Colin LaBarrie and Stanford Simon,  and former senior minister and MP Joseph Gilbert.

La Barrie has already joined the ruling party, and Gilbert has indicated he will do so soon.

A number of former NDC constituency chairmen, and a one-time NDC party interim leader Siddiqui Sylvester were also there.

It is estimated that more than two dozen former NDC members will join the ruling party within the next two months. 

David said he has seen enough of the NNP’s new attitude, and that of the Prime Minister to believe it has changed for the better.

“Its action to strengthen and expand its policies regarding social safety nets; of depoliticizing the process and making sure the most needed benefit, deserves our biggest applause,” he said. “And with a party and government espousing policies like these, I say count me in.”

He told the prime minister he has heard his call for national unity, and he believes it is sincere.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell said David’s decision was one of the most significant developments in his long political career, declaring that it will go a long way in unifying the nation.

He called David a good politician, who loves people, and who has a big contribution to make to national development.

The Grenadian leader said David has already been useful to his government, having helped negotiate a 12 million US dollar loan from Venezuela’s ALBA Bank late last year.

Mitchell also called David an “every person politician” who is as comfortable with diplomats, as he with the ordinary people.

David will join Prime Minister Mitchell and Deputy Elvin Nimrod on a speaking tour of the Grenadian diaspora next week in a move the Grenadian leader said is “to unite all of our people wherever they are.”