Former NDC members creating new political organisation

By Linda Straker

Jerome Joseph, a founding member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has distanced himself from the ruling administration and has confirmed that he is once again playing a major role in the setting up of another political organisation, which comprises some of the expelled members.

“We have had lots of discussion and are presently in the final stages of making the announcement with regards to name, colour and symbol,” Joseph said on Tuesday when asked what was the name of the organisation. “Different people are responsible for different things, but I promise you that within the fortnight all information about our existence will be available,” he said.

Jerome Joseph

Joseph said that the leadership will be decided at the party’s first convention, which will be held in the coming weeks. “So presently, we are working, we the interim persons are working together recruiting members and establishing a supporting network not just in Grenada, but in the Diaspora which is very important to us,” he said.

A former Chairman of NDC, Joseph expressed his disappointment with the outcome of internal conflict within the party, which has resulted in ten members, including Members of Parliament, being expelled at the party’s September 30, 2012 convention.

“It is not a happy situation, but we all must move on and if moving on means associating with the formation of a new political grouping, I got to do it. There is no right or wrong time to set up a political organisation, but in moving forward we will take everything into consideration,” he said.

Persons associated with the party include current Member of Parliament for St. George’s South, Glynis Roberts; Siddiqui Sylvester; and Ferron Lowe. “We almost have other persons who are not known to be affiliated in any political organisation and anticipating in the upcoming general elections will depend on how many things play out,” he said.

With regards to the involvement of MP Peter David, Joseph said that he would prefer David to answer the question. “I am not sure what I will be doing yet, but one thing is certain I will be working with the people,” David said.