PM Mitchell warns of enemies of progress

by Linda Straker

• PM called on citizens to continue supporting MPs who are part of government’s team
• Recent allegation is payment of financial bribery to government minister
• Redhead investigated matter and party concluded information is hearsay

Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has described people who are individually or organisations that are collectively raising concerns about the actions and policy decisions of the government as “enemies of progress who will come up with all kinds of distractions.”

Speaking about the achievements of his government, which was elected to office in June 2022, on his interactive social media and television programme, “DMs with PM”, held weekly on Tuesdays, the Prime Minister called on citizens to continue supporting the members of parliament (MPs) who are part of the government’s team. “Continue supporting the MPs now more than ever. The naysayers, the enemies of progress will come up with all kinds of distractions to make us look away, to pull persons down, personal attacks, allegations of this allegations of that, but at the end of the day, I think Grenadians can judge for themselves whether people care about them, whether they are hard working, respectful and humble and whether they mean the best for them,” he said.

Currently, 10 members of the House of Representatives, also known as the Lower House of Parliament, and 7 members of the Senate, also known as the Upper House, represent the Government.

Mitchell, who is also the political leader of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), said that his government may not always get it right, but they are not afraid of criticism. “That is why we subject ourselves to the citizens in the town halls, in the village meetings, in the community meetings, by walking the streets.”

The NDC will celebrate its 3rd anniversary in office on 23 June, and the main activity, a boat cruise, will serve as a party fundraising event.

A recent allegation by podcaster Jennifer Simon involved the payment of a financial bribe of EC$115,000 to government minister and NDC general secretary Andy Williams in connection with a government contract. Williams, in a news conference, described the claim as false. Public Relations Officer Ron Redhead stated earlier this week that he had investigated the matter and concluded the information was hearsay.