New Democratic Party (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)

The New Democratic Party (NDP) is a moderate conservative political party in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The party is led by Arnhim Eustace,^[1] and is currently the official opposition in the House of Assembly.

History

The New Democratic Party was founded in Kingstown, St. Vincent & the Grenadines on 3 December 1975. The then leader was James Fitz-Allen Mitchell commonly referred to by his peers as "Son Mitchell".

Mitchell took charge of the launching ceremony of the party.

In 1979 the New Democratic Party contested the general elections, the same year that La Soufriere Volcano had its last major eruption. The public awarded the NDP with two seats in our then 13 seat parliament.

Five years later the NDP romped home with nine (9) of the thirteen (13) seats, making Mitchell this country’s second Prime Minister. By way of a by–election, when then Labour Party leader Hon. Robert Milton Cato closed the last chapter of his political book; the NDP gained an additional seat advantage.

For four consecutive terms the New Democratic Party succeeded at the polls; was defeated in 2001 by the Unity Labour Party and has rallied back consistently since then, as follows:

In 1984: 10 – 3 to 11 – 2

In 1989: 15 – 0

In 1994: 12 – 3

In 1998: 8 – 7

In 2001: 3 - 12

In 2005: 3 - 12

In 2010: 7 - 8

St. Vincent and the Grenadines' next General Elections are constitutionally due in December 2015.

So far, the NDP has been the first and only political party in St. Vincent & the Grenadines to have won all the seats in national elections.

The development of the banana and tourism industries have been among the major pillars of economic development for St. Vincent & the Grenadines, spearheaded by the New Democratic Party.

When Sir James Mitchell departed elective politics, the Hon. Arnhim Ulric Eustace was elected President of the NDP and took over as this country’s third Prime Minister. He has served as Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition since 2001.

Under Eustace’s leadership the NDP has grown and become more democratic with the Central Executive and party delegates more involved in the election and selection of the Executive Members of the party.

References

External links

• Official website

Political parties in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Current parties	Democratic Republican Party New Democratic Party Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Green Party Unity Labour Party
Defunct parties	Democratic Freedom Movement Eighth Army of Liberation Mitchell/Sylvester Faction Movement for National Unity People's Liberation Movement People's Political Party People's Progressive Movement People's Working Party Saint Vincent Labour Party United People's Movement West Indies National Party
Portal:Politics List of political parties Politics of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines