by Linda Straker
- Delma Thomas has represented St Andrew’s North West since 2013
- Thomas said relationship with some in the minority was not working out
- Last crossing of floor in Parliament was by GULP Michael Baptiste and Clarence Rapier
Grenada’s Lower House of Parliament no longer has a count of 9 in the majority and 6 in the minority because Delma Thomas, who was part of the opposition or the minority, has switched to the ruling party.
The Minority members in the Parliament all belong to the opposition New National Party (NNP), whose leader is former Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell.
“Mr Speaker, this morning, I make the decision to leave the side where I am no longer welcome at the table,” she told Speaker Leo Cato when she stood up to speak under the Personal Explanation section of the Order Paper.
Explaining her reasons for crossing the floor of the Parliament, she said the relationship with some in the minority was not working out. The former Social Development Minister said, “There are some relationships after 40 years you walk away because it’s not working out well. So we tell our women when you are in an abusive relationship, where there are issues in the relationship, and it cannot be resolved, you walk away,” she told the House.
“I will move to continue to represent the people of St Andrew’s North West,” said Thomas, who has represented that constituency since 2013. She gave the assurance that resigning as the Member of Parliament for that area was not part of her plan. “They will be getting 2 for one,” said Thomas.
Gloria Thomas, who contested the constituency for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) is a senator in the Upper House and has an office in the constituency.
Speaking about her future with the Government, she made it clear that she is not looking to be part of the Cabinet. “I am not looking to come into the Cabinet, Mr Prime Minister you remember that discussion, but if I want a work somewhere, you cannot say anything about that. If I get work in the private sector is there anything wrong with that? There are other members here who are working too, and if I travelled because I am a consultant then there is nothing wrong with that because there are consultants here too who travel,” she said.
The last time there was a crossing of the floor in the Parliament was following the 1995 General Election when Michael Baptiste and Clarence Rapier, who ran as candidates of the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP), joined the then-ruling New National Party. The 2 were appointed as Government Ministers.
