by Linda Straker
- Peter David resigned from NNP on 20 January
- Several executive members of constituency group subsequently resigned
- Resignation based on breaches of party’s constitution in lead up to 2024 convention
Roland Bhola, General Secretary of the New National Party (NNP), has confirmed that several executive members of the party’s constituency group in the Town of St George resigned approximately 24 hours after Peter David resigned from the party.
David represents that constituency in the Lower House of Parliament and was a member of the NNP until 20 January.
“Yes, I can confirm receiving that letter where several members resigned from the party. We thank them for their service and wish them all the best in the future,” said Bhola, without sharing the names of the people who signed the letter.
In that letter, the former executive members said that their resignation was based on breaches of the party’s constitution in the lead-up to the 15 December 2024 convention. “Mostly recently leading up to the convention we have witnessed the party leadership stifle members’ constitutional right to choose their own delegates, the party also prevented members the right to be nominated on the floor for some executive positions.”
The letter copied to Political Leader Emmalin Pierre concluded: “We view these practices as a fundamental breach of the constitution. Therefore, we the undersigned members of the constituency branch for the Town of St George tender our resignation from the party with immediate effect.”
David’s resignation comes a little more than one month after the NNP held its convention and elected a new executive. David was among 2 vying for leadership but withdrew from the race hours before the 15 December 2024 convention, claiming the internal election process was rigged to benefit Emmalin Pierre, his competition.
David is the second Member of Parliament on the opposition side who has resigned from the NNP. The first was Delma Thomas, who crossed the floor and joined the government side and is currently a member of the cabinet.
17 blind mice?