Tillman Thomas
Encyclopedia
Tillman Joseph Thomas is a Grenadian
politician, currently serving as Prime Minister of Grenada. He is also the leader of the National Democratic Congress
(NDC).
. He was imprisoned under Prime Minister Maurice Bishop
for two years.
In December 1984, Thomas was elected to the House of Representatives
from St. Patrick East constituency, and from 1984 to 1990, he was a Junior Minister in the Ministry of Legal Affairs. In 1987 he was a founding member of the NDC, and from 1987 to 1990 he was the party's Assistant General Secretary. Thomas was defeated in St. Patrick East in the 1990 election, but he was nevertheless appointed as a Junior Minister in the Ministry of Labour. Subsequently he was appointed as Minister in the Ministries of Works and Tourism. Following the NDC's defeat in the 1999 general election
, in which it failed to win any seats, Thomas was elected as party leader in October 2000. He won a House of Representatives seat in the November 2003 general election, along with six other members of his party; the NDC fell one seat short of a majority in the 15-seat House of Representatives, however, and the governing New National Party
(NNP) won another term. Thomas became Leader of the Opposition in early December 2003.
After spending 13 years in opposition, the NDC won the general election
held on July 8, 2008, taking 11 out of 15 seats and defeating the NNP. Thomas himself was elected from St. Patrick East constituency. On July 9, Thomas was sworn in as Prime Minister at the Grenada Trade Centre in Grand Anse, St. George's by Governor-General Daniel Williams
. Speaking on this occasion, he promised "openness and transparency" and said that he would practice "the politics of inclusion".
Thomas's cabinet, composed of 17 members, was sworn in at the National Stadium on July 13. In addition to being Prime Minister, Thomas took the portfolios of Legal Affairs, National Security, Information, and Public Administration. Two members of non-governmental organizations who were not affiliated with the NDC were included in the cabinet: Franka Bernadine as Minister of Education and Human Resources, and Jimmy Bristol as Attorney-General.
Grenada
Grenada is an island country and Commonwealth Realm consisting of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea...
politician, currently serving as Prime Minister of Grenada. He is also the leader of the National Democratic Congress
National Democratic Congress (Grenada)
The National Democratic Congress is a liberal centre-left political party in Grenada. Tillman Thomas is the party's leader, Nazim Burke is its deputy leader, and Peter David is its General Secretary...
(NDC).
Biography
Thomas was born in Hermitage, St. PatrickSaint Patrick Parish, Grenada
Saint Patrick is one of the parishes of Grenada, covering the north of the country. A spectacular coastline with several fine bays faces several small islands to the north. Its most famous beach is Bathway. The principal town in St. Patrick is Sauteurs...
. He was imprisoned under Prime Minister Maurice Bishop
Maurice Bishop
Maurice Rupert Bishop was a Grenadian politician and revolutionary who seized power in a coup in 1979 from Eric Gairy and served as Prime Minister of the People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada until 1983, when he was overthrown in another coup by Bernard Coard, a member of his own...
for two years.
In December 1984, Thomas was elected to the House of Representatives
House of Representatives of Grenada
The House of Representatives is the lower house of the Parliament of Grenada. It has 15 members, elected for a five year term in single-seat constituencies. The members are, for each seat and party, listed below:-Summary 2008 election:...
from St. Patrick East constituency, and from 1984 to 1990, he was a Junior Minister in the Ministry of Legal Affairs. In 1987 he was a founding member of the NDC, and from 1987 to 1990 he was the party's Assistant General Secretary. Thomas was defeated in St. Patrick East in the 1990 election, but he was nevertheless appointed as a Junior Minister in the Ministry of Labour. Subsequently he was appointed as Minister in the Ministries of Works and Tourism. Following the NDC's defeat in the 1999 general election
Grenadian general election, 1999
General elections were held in Grenada on 18 January 1999. The governing New National Party of Prime Minister Keith Mitchell was re-elected after winning all 15 seats. Voter turnout was 56.5%.-Background:...
, in which it failed to win any seats, Thomas was elected as party leader in October 2000. He won a House of Representatives seat in the November 2003 general election, along with six other members of his party; the NDC fell one seat short of a majority in the 15-seat House of Representatives, however, and the governing New National Party
New National Party (Grenada)
The New National Party is a conservative political party in Grenada. It is led by the Leader of the Opposition, Keith Mitchell.The party was founded in August 1984 through the merger of the Grenada National Party, led by Herbert Blaize, the National Democratic Party, led by George Brizan, and the...
(NNP) won another term. Thomas became Leader of the Opposition in early December 2003.
After spending 13 years in opposition, the NDC won the general election
Grenadian general election, 2008
A general election was held in Grenada on 8 July 2008.Out of a total of fifteen seats, the opposition National Democratic Congress won eleven seats and the governing New National Party won four seats, thus bringing the NDC to power for the first time since 1995...
held on July 8, 2008, taking 11 out of 15 seats and defeating the NNP. Thomas himself was elected from St. Patrick East constituency. On July 9, Thomas was sworn in as Prime Minister at the Grenada Trade Centre in Grand Anse, St. George's by Governor-General Daniel Williams
Daniel Williams
Sir Daniel Charles Williams, GCMG was a Governor-General of Grenada, from August 8, 1996 until November 18, 2008. He was formally appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on August 9, 1996 after having been nominated by Prime Minister Keith Mitchell.In 1997, he was Knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth...
. Speaking on this occasion, he promised "openness and transparency" and said that he would practice "the politics of inclusion".
Thomas's cabinet, composed of 17 members, was sworn in at the National Stadium on July 13. In addition to being Prime Minister, Thomas took the portfolios of Legal Affairs, National Security, Information, and Public Administration. Two members of non-governmental organizations who were not affiliated with the NDC were included in the cabinet: Franka Bernadine as Minister of Education and Human Resources, and Jimmy Bristol as Attorney-General.
External links
- http://www.gov.gd/ - Official site