Keith Mitchell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Keith Mitchell
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Mitchell in 2021
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| Prime Minister of Grenada | |
| In office 20 February 2013 – 24 June 2022 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | Sir Carlyle Glean Dame Cécile La Grenade |
| Preceded by | Tillman Thomas |
| Succeeded by | Dickon Mitchell |
| In office 22 June 1995 – 9 July 2008 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | Sir Reginald Palmer Sir Daniel Williams |
| Preceded by | George Brizan |
| Succeeded by | Tillman Thomas |
| Leader of the New National Party | |
| In office 18 January 1989 – 15 December 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Herbert Blaize |
| Succeeded by | Emmalin Pierre |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2022 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II Charles III |
| Prime Minister | Dickon Mitchell |
| Preceded by | Tobias Clement |
| In office 9 July 2008 – 20 February 2013 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Tillman Thomas |
| Preceded by | Tillman Thomas |
| Succeeded by | Vacant Tobias Clement (in 2020) |
| Member of Parliament for St. George North West |
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| Assumed office 3 December 1984 |
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| Preceded by | George Hosten |
| Majority | 2,500 (71.61%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Keith Claudius Mitchell
12 November 1946 Brizan, Grenada |
| Political party | New National Party |
| Spouse | Marietta Mitchell |
| Children | Olinga Mitchell |
| Alma mater | University of the West Indies Howard University American University Presentation Brothers' College |
Keith Claudius Mitchell (born 12 November 1946) is a well-known politician from Grenada. He served as the Prime Minister of Grenada twice. His first time was from 1995 to 2008, and his second was from 2013 to 2022. He has been Prime Minister for over 22 years, making him the longest-serving leader in Grenada's history.
Mitchell was the leader of the New National Party (NNP) from 1989 until 2024. He has also been the Leader of the Opposition in Grenada's Parliament. He held this role from 2008 to 2013 and again since 2022.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Keith Claudius Mitchell was born in Brizan, a community in Saint George, Grenada. He studied at The University of the West Indies. In 1971, he earned a degree in mathematics and chemistry.
He continued his studies in the United States. He received a master's degree from Howard University in 1975. Later, in 1979, he earned a doctorate in mathematics and statistics from American University. After finishing his studies, Mitchell worked as a statistician. He helped the U.S. Energy Information Administration with data. In 1984, he returned to Grenada after the U.S. invasion.
Cricket Star
Before his political career, Keith Mitchell was a talented cricketer. He was a spin bowler. In 1973, he was the captain of the Grenada cricket team. Even while being a politician, he has continued to be an important person in West Indies cricket.
A Life in Politics
In December 1984, Mitchell was elected to the House of Representatives. He represented the St. George North West area. He has won this seat in every election since then. In January 1989, Mitchell became the leader of the NNP. He won against the then-Prime Minister, Herbert Blaize. After this, Blaize removed Mitchell from his job as Minister of Communications and Works.
The NNP won the general election on 20 June 1995. They won eight out of 15 seats. Mitchell became Prime Minister on 22 June. Under his leadership, the NNP won all 15 seats in the election in January 1999. The NNP won a third term in the November 2003 election. This time, they had a small majority of just one seat. Mitchell also served as the Minister of Finance three times.
In the general election on 8 July 2008, the NNP lost. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) won 11 seats, while the NNP won only four. Mitchell kept his own seat. Tillman Thomas, the NDC leader, became Prime Minister. Mitchell accepted the results and congratulated Thomas. He continued as NNP leader and became the Leader of the Opposition on 16 July 2008.
The NNP won all 15 parliamentary seats again in the February 2013 general election. Mitchell became Prime Minister on 20 February 2013. He made history by winning all 15 seats again in the 13 March 2018 election. No other political party in the region had ever done this before. Mitchell also served as the Minister of Finance until 2020.
In June 2022, Mitchell called for a quick general election. His New National Party lost to the National Democratic Congress. The NDC was led by Dickon Mitchell (who is not related to Keith Mitchell). The NNP won 6 seats, and the NDC won 9. Keith Mitchell then became the Leader of the Opposition. Before the NNP's 2024 meeting, Mitchell announced he would not seek to be leader again. He stepped down after more than 35 years in the role. Emmalin Pierre became the new leader.
Connecting with Other Countries
Keith Mitchell worked to build relationships with other countries. In 1997, he was the first Prime Minister since Maurice Bishop to visit Cuba. During his visit, he signed an agreement for economic cooperation. In 2005, he also re-established connections with the People's Republic of China.
Mitchell approved plans in 1996 for the United States Coast Guard to build a base on Petite Martinique. He also allowed medical ships, like the USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), to visit Grenada.
See also
In Spanish: Keith Mitchell para niños
