Tillman Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tillman Thomas
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| Prime Minister of Grenada | |
| In office 9 July 2008 – 20 February 2013 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | Daniel Williams Carlyle Glean |
| Preceded by | Keith Mitchell |
| Succeeded by | Keith Mitchell |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 2 December 2003 – 8 July 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Michael Baptiste |
| Succeeded by | Keith Mitchell |
| Member of Parliament for Saint Patrick East |
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| In office 2 November 2003 – 19 February 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Adrian F. Mitchell |
| Succeeded by | Clifton Paul |
| Leader of the National Democratic Congress | |
| In office October 2000 – 14 February 2014 |
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| Preceded by | George Brizan |
| Succeeded by | Nazim Burke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 June 1947 Hermitage, Grenada |
| Political party | National Democratic Congress |
| Spouse | Sandra Thomas |
Tillman Joseph Thomas, CBE (born June 13, 1947) is a Grenadian politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Grenada from 2008 to 2013. He was also the leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) political party from 2000 to 2014.
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Early Life and Education
Tillman Thomas was born in Hermitage, a town in St. Patrick, Grenada. During a period when Maurice Bishop was Prime Minister, Thomas was held in prison for two years.
He went to Fordham University in New York, where he earned a degree in economics. Later, he studied law at the University of the West Indies and the Hugh Wooding Law School.
Starting in Politics
Thomas began his political journey in 1978. He worked with Maurice Bishop on a program that helped people with human rights and legal aid.
In December 1984, he was elected to the House of Representatives. This is like being a Member of Parliament. He represented the St. Patrick East area. From 1984 to 1990, he worked as a Junior Minister in the Ministry of Legal Affairs.
In 1987, he helped start the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party. He was the party's Assistant General Secretary from 1987 to 1990. Even though he lost his seat in the 1990 election, he was still appointed as a Junior Minister in the Ministry of Labour. Later, he became a Minister in charge of Works and Tourism.
Becoming Leader of the Opposition
After the NDC party lost all its seats in the 1999 general election, Tillman Thomas was chosen as the party leader in October 2000.
In the November 2003 general election, he won a seat in the House of Representatives. Six other members from his party also won seats. The NDC was just one seat short of having the most seats in the 15-seat House. However, the New National Party (NNP) won the election again. In December 2003, Thomas became the Leader of the Opposition. This means he was the main leader of the parties not in power.
Prime Minister of Grenada
After being in opposition for 13 years, the NDC party won the general election on July 8, 2008. They won 11 out of 15 seats, beating the NNP. Tillman Thomas himself won his seat in St. Patrick East.
On July 9, Thomas was sworn in as Prime Minister. This ceremony took place at the Grenada Trade Centre. He promised that his government would be "open and transparent." He also said they would practice "the politics of inclusion," meaning everyone would be involved.
Thomas's cabinet, which is a group of top government officials, was sworn in on July 13, 2008. Besides being Prime Minister, Thomas was also in charge of Foreign Affairs, Legal Affairs, National Security, Information, and Public Administration. Two people who were not part of the NDC party were also included in the cabinet.
After Being Prime Minister
After almost five years in power, the NDC party lost badly in the February 2013 general election. They lost all their seats, including Tillman Thomas's seat. The opposition NNP won all 15 seats, and Keith Mitchell became Prime Minister again.
After this defeat, Thomas said he was ready to step down as the party leader. He stated that if someone else came forward, he would let them take over the leadership. Nazim Burke, who was the former deputy leader and Minister of Finance, took over as the NDC's political leader in early 2014.
Awards and Recognition
In 2023, Tillman Thomas was given the award of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This award was for his important services to Grenada.
