Editing Keith Mitchell

{{short description|Prime Minister of Grenada (1995-2008, 2013-2022)}} 
{{Other people}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = [[The Right Honourable]]
| honorific-suffix    = [[Member of Parliament|MP]] [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|PC]]
| name                = Keith Mitchell
| image               = Keith Mitchell.jpg
| caption             = Mitchell in 2021
| office              = [[Prime Minister of Grenada]]
| monarch             = [[Elizabeth II]]
| governor-general    = [[Carlyle Glean|Sir Carlyle Glean]]<br />[[Cécile La Grenade|Dame Cécile La Grenade]]
| term_start          = 20 February 2013
| term_end            = 24 June 2022
| predecessor         = [[Tillman Thomas]]
| successor           = [[Dickon Mitchell]]
| monarch1            = [[Elizabeth II]]
| governor-general1   = [[Reginald Palmer|Sir Reginald Palmer]]<br>[[Daniel Williams (governor-general)|Sir Daniel Williams]]
| term_start1         = 22 June 1995
| term_end1           = 9 July 2008
| predecessor1        = [[George Brizan]]
| successor1          = Tillman Thomas
| office2             = [[New National Party (Grenada)#List of leaders of the New National Party|Leader of the New National Party]]
| term_start2         = 18 January 1989
| term_end2           = 15 December 2024
| predecessor2        = [[Herbert Blaize]]
| successor2          = [[Emmalin Pierre]]
| office3             = [[Leader of the Opposition (Grenada)|Leader of the Opposition]]
| monarch3            = [[Elizabeth II]]<br>[[Charles III]]
| primeminister3      = [[Dickon Mitchell]]
| term_start3         = 4 July 2022
| term_end3           = 21 February 2025
| predecessor3        = Tobias Clement
| successor3          = [[Emmalin Pierre]]
| monarch4            = [[Elizabeth II]]
| primeminister4      = [[Tillman Thomas]]
| term_start4         = 9 July 2008
| term_end4           = 20 February 2013
| predecessor4        = Tillman Thomas
| successor4          = ''Vacant''<br>Tobias Clement (in 2020)<ref>{{cite web|title=Tobias Clement appointed Leader of the Opposition|url=https://www.nowgrenada.com/2020/04/tobias-clement-appointed-leader-of-the-opposition/|work=Now Grenada|access-date=24 June 2022|date=14 April 2020}}</ref>
| office5             = [[Member of Parliament]]<br />for St. George North West
| term_start5         = 3 December 1984
| term_end5           = 
| predecessor5        = George Hosten
| successor5          = 
| majority5           = 2,500 (71.61%)
| birthname           = Keith Claudius Mitchell
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1946|11|12|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Saint George Parish, Grenada|Brizan]], Grenada
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[New National Party (Grenada)|New National Party]]
| spouse              = Marietta Mitchell
| children            = Olinga Mitchell
| alma_mater          = [[University of the West Indies]]<br />[[Howard University]]<br />[[American University]]<br />[[Presentation Brothers College (Grenada)|Presentation Brothers' College]]
}}
'''Keith Claudius Mitchell''' (born 12 November 1946) is a Grenadian politician who served as [[Prime Minister of Grenada]] from 1995 to 2008 and from 2013 to 2022. He is the longest-serving Prime Minister in Grenadian history, holding the office for more than 22 years. He was leader of the [[New National Party (Grenada)|New National Party]] (NNP) from 1989 until 2024<ref>{{cite web|url= https://nowgrenada.com/2024/12/emmalin-pierre-declared-nnp-political-leader/|title=Emmalin Pierre declared NNP Political Leader|date=15 December 2024|access-date=18 December 2024|publisher=NOW Grenada|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=}}</ref> and has been the [[Leader of the Opposition (Grenada)|Leader of the Opposition]] in the [[House of Representatives of Grenada]] from 2008 to 2013,<ref name="parlamhist">{{cite web |title=Opposition Leaders - Grenada Parliament |url=https://grenadaparliament.gd/pdfviewer/opposition-leaders/ |website=grenadaparliament.gd}}</ref> and again from 2022 to 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grenada: Mitchell sworn in as Opposition Leader {{!}} Loop Caribbean News |url=https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/mitchell-sworn-opposition-leader |website=Loop News |language=en}}</ref>

==Education and personal life==
Keith Claudius Mitchell was born in the community of  Brizan, Saint George. Mitchell graduated from [[The University of the West Indies]] with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in mathematics and chemistry in 1971. He gained a [[master's degree]] from [[Howard University]] in 1975 and a [[doctorate]] in mathematics and statistics from [[American University]] in 1979.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.gd/biographies/keith_mitchell_bio.html|title=Biography: Keith Claudius Mitchell|date=9 October 2009|access-date=1 October 2011|publisher=Government of Grenada|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018095804/http://www.gov.gd/biographies/keith_mitchell_bio.html|archive-date=18 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite thesis|last=Mitchell|first=Keith Claudius|title=A study of ridge regression and some examples of its application in multivariate analysis|publisher=American University|year=1980|isbn=|location=[[Washington, D.C.]]|pages=|doi=10.57912/23887239.v1 |hdl=1961/thesesdissertations:894|oclc=7468179|hdl-access=free}}</ref> He then worked as a statistician at Applied Management Sciences, providing statistical support to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In 1984, Mitchell gave up his professional activities to return home to Grenada after the [[United States invasion of Grenada|U.S. invasion]].<ref>{{cite web | last1=Marker | first1=David | title=Interview with Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada | url=https://magazine.amstat.org/blog/2017/06/01/interview-with-keith-mitchell-prime-minister-of-grenada/ | date=1 June 2017 | work=[[Amstat News]] | access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref>

==Cricket career==
Mitchell was a [[cricket]]er, a [[Spin bowling|spin bowler]] who [[captain (cricket)|captained]] the Grenada team in 1973.<ref>{{cite web|title=Keith Mitchell|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/310/310544/310544.html|website=CricketArchive|access-date=14 May 2016}}</ref> He has since been a prominent cricket administrator in the West Indies alongside his political career.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cozier|first1=Tony|title=West Indies cricket needs Legends' clout|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/1006527.html|website=Cricinfo|access-date=14 May 2016}}</ref>

==Political career==
In the December 1984 general election, Mitchell was elected to a seat in the [[House of Representatives of Grenada|House of Representatives]] from St. George North West constituency and he has held the seat in each subsequent election.<ref name=Carib>{{cite web|title=New prime minister of Grenada sworn in|work=Caribbean Net News|date=10 July 2008|access-date=1 December 2014|url=http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-9056--32-32--.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731192757/http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-9056--32-32--.html|archive-date=31 July 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Mitchell was elected as leader of the NNP in January 1989,<ref name=PP>''Political Parties of the World'' (6th edition, 2005), ed. Bogdan Szajkowski, page 265.</ref><ref name=Jul>"Jul 1989 - Grenada", ''Keesing's Record of World Events'', volume 35, July 1989, Grenada, page 36,812.</ref> defeating Prime Minister [[Herbert Blaize]].<ref name=PP/> Blaize then dismissed Mitchell from his position as Minister of Communications and Works on 21 July 1989.<ref name=Jul/>

After the NNP was victorious in the [[1995 Grenadian general election|general election]] held on 20 June 1995, winning eight out of 15 seats in the House of Representatives, Mitchell took office as Prime Minister, along with his Cabinet, on 22 June.<ref>"Jun 1995 - New Grenada Cabinet", ''Keesing's Record of World Events'', volume 41, June 1995, Grenada, page 40,592.</ref> Under Mitchell's leadership, the party won all 15 seats in the [[1999 Grenadian general election|early election held in January 1999]], and the NNP narrowly won a third term in power in the [[2003 Grenadian general election|November 2003 election]], reduced to a one-seat parliamentary majority.<ref name=PP/> Mitchell held the additional portfolio of [[Minister of Finance of Grenada|Minister of Finance]] for three periods.

The New National Party was defeated in the [[2008 Grenadian general election|general election]] held on 8 July 2008 by the [[National Democratic Congress (Grenada)|National Democratic Congress]] (NDC), winning only four seats against 11 for the NDC.<ref name=Nation>{{cite web|first=George|last=Worme|title=Thomas wins by a landslide in Grenada	|date=10 July 2008|url=http://www.nationnews.com/story/117373983578346.php|newspaper=The Nation	|location=Barbados|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714124028/http://www.nationnews.com/story/117373983578346.php	|archive-date=14 July 2008	|access-date=1 December 2014	|url-status=dead}}</ref> Mitchell himself was re-elected to his seat from St. George North West.<ref name=Carib/><ref>{{cite web	|author=<!-- Staff writer, no byline -->	|title=A decisive victory: Let there be no doubt	|work=grenadabroadcast.com	|date=<!-- No publication date given -->	|access-date=1 December 2014	|url=http://www.grenadabroadcast.com/content/view/2818/1/	|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803064311/http://www.grenadabroadcast.com/content/view/2818/1/	|archive-date=3 August 2008	|url-status=dead}}</ref> NDC leader [[Tillman Thomas]] succeeded Mitchell as Prime Minister on 9 July. Mitchell said that the people voted for change and congratulated Thomas.<ref name=Nation/> Following the election, he continued as NNP leader and was sworn in as Leader of the Opposition on 16 July 2008.<ref>[http://www.belgrafix.com/gtoday/2008news/Jul/Jul26/Mitchell-is-new-Opposition-Leader.htm "Mitchell is new Opposition Leader"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012194513/http://www.belgrafix.com/gtoday/2008news/Jul/Jul26/Mitchell-is-new-Opposition-Leader.htm |date=12 October 2008 }}, Grenada Today, 26 July 2008.</ref>

In the [[2013 Grenadian general election|February 2013 general election]], the NNP again won all 15 parliamentary seats. After this resounding victory, Mitchell was sworn in as Prime Minister on 20 February 2013.<ref>[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Clean-sweep_13681618 "Clean sweep"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082413/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Clean-sweep_13681618 |date=4 March 2016 }}, ''Jamaica Observer'', 21 February 2013.</ref> Looking ahead to the next election, Mitchell predicted that his party could win all 15 seats in parliament for a third time. Mitchell and his New National Party created history by retaining all 15 seats in the Grenada General Election of 13 March 2018. It is the first time any political party regionally or otherwise has achieved such a feat.<ref>{{cite news|title=Clean sweep! Grenada PM predicts repeat victory|url=http://wicnews.com/caribbean/clean-sweep-grenada-pm-predicts-repeat-victory-21217552/|access-date=9 November 2017|work=WIC News|date=9 November 2017}}</ref> Mitchell held the additional portfolio of [[Minister of Finance of Grenada|Minister of Finance]] until 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.loopnewscaribbean.com/content/grenada-pm-passes-torch-new-finance-minister|title=Grenada PM passes Finance ministry torch|website=www.loopnewscaribbean.com|access-date=10 April 2021|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410222455/http://www.loopnewscaribbean.com/content/grenada-pm-passes-torch-new-finance-minister|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In June 2022, Mitchell called [[2022 Grenadian general election|a snap general election]]. His New National Party was defeated by the [[National Democratic Congress (Grenada)|National Democratic Congress]] under [[Dickon Mitchell]] (no relation), winning just 6 seats to the NDC's 9.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Today |first1=Barbados |title=GRENADA ELECTIONS - Opposition National Democratic Congress wins general elections |url=https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/06/23/grenada-elections-opposition-national-democratic-party-wins-general-elections/ |work=Barbados Today |date=24 June 2022}}</ref> Mitchell subsequently became [[Leader of the Opposition (Grenada)|Leader of the Opposition]] in the [[House of Representatives of Grenada]]. Ahead of the 2024 national convention of the NNP, Mitchell announced that he would not seek re-election as leader, stepping back after over 35 years in the role. He was succeeded as leader by [[Emmalin Pierre]]. Mitchell subsequently resigned as Leader of the Opposition on 21 February 2025, recommending Pierre as his successor.

== Foreign policy ==
In 1997, Mitchell became the first prime minister since [[Maurice Bishop]] to visit [[Cuba]], signing an economic cooperation agreement.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rohter |first=Larry |date=1997-05-11 |title=U.S. Calm Over Cuba-Grenada Ties |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/11/world/us-calm-over-cuba-grenada-ties.html |access-date=2022-06-30 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>  He re-established relations with the [[People's Republic of China]] in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2020 |title=Grenada PM pledges continued support for China {{!}} Loop Caribbean News |url=https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/grenada-pm-pledges-continued-support-china |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=Loop News |language=en}}</ref>

Mitchell approved 1996 plans by the [[United States Coast Guard]] to build a base on [[Petite Martinique]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rohter |first=Larry |date=1996-10-14 |title=No Thanks! And You Can Tell It to the Marines |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/14/world/no-thanks-and-you-can-tell-it-to-the-marines.html |access-date=2022-06-30 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>  He allowed medical visits from [[USNS Comfort (T-AH-20)]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 16, 2019 |title=Comfort Begins Medical Services in Grenada |url=https://www.southcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-ARTICLES/Article/1966526/comfort-begins-medical-services-in-grenada/ |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=U.S. Southern Command |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Honours and awards ==
Recipient of the [[Order of José Martí]] of [[Cuba]].
==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikiquote}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20141018095804/http://www.gov.gd/biographies/keith_mitchell_bio.html "Biography: Keith Claudius Mitchell"]. Official website of the government of Grenada.
*[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-19596909 Profile] at [[BBC]]
*[https://www.global-briefing.org/2015/01/were-making-it-attractive-for-grenadians-to-return-home/ Interview] with ''Global: the international briefing'' (2015)

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[George Brizan]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of Grenada]]|years=1995–2008}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Tillman Thomas]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Michael Andrew (politician)|Michael Andrew}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister of Finance of Grenada]]|years=1995–1997}}
{{s-aft|after=Patrick Bubb}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Patrick Bubb}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister of Finance of Grenada]]|years=1999}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Anthony Boatswain]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Anthony Boatswain]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister of Finance of Grenada]]|years=2007–2008}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Nazim Burke]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Tillman Thomas]]|rows=2}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Leader of the Opposition (Grenada)|Leader of the Opposition]]|years=2008–2013}}
{{s-aft|after=Tobias Clement}}
|-
{{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of Grenada]]|years=2013–2022}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Dickon Mitchell]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Nazim Burke]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister of Finance of Grenada]]|years=2013–2020}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Gregory Bowen]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Tobias Clement}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Leader of the Opposition (Grenada)|Leader of the Opposition]]|years=2022–present}}
{{s-inc}}
|-
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Herbert Blaize]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[New National Party (Grenada)#List of leaders of the New National Party|Leader of the New National Party]]|years=1989–2024}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Emmalin Pierre]]}}

{{s-end}}

{{GrenadaPMs}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mitchell, Keith}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:American University alumni]]
[[Category:Grenadian Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the House of Representatives of Grenada]]
[[Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:New National Party (Grenada) politicians]]
[[Category:People from St. George's, Grenada]]
[[Category:Former United States citizens]]
[[Category:Prime ministers of Grenada]]
[[Category:Republicanism in Grenada]]
[[Category:Finance ministers of Grenada]]
[[Category:Ministers of foreign affairs of Grenada]]
[[Category:University of the West Indies alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century Grenadian politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Grenadian politicians]]