Last Updated on November 25, 2021, 3:47 AM AST by Anthony Morris
All leaders from the region sent out condolences as second Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Sir James Mitchell passed away on Tuesday. Former Prime Minister of St Lucia, Allen Chastanet, also shared a long message of condolences. He said the entire region lost one of its greatest champions.
Chastanet said Saint Lucia, in particular, has lost a much esteemed, irreplaceable friend.
“He and our own Sir John Compton were close friends for all their lives. They shared many passions, especially their great love of boats and all things related to the sea,” said Chastanet.
United Workers Party (UWP) leader stated Sir James would forever be remembered as one of the Caribbean’s most formidable and respected politicians.
He served on the Privy Council from 1985, was an economist, a hotelier and an agronomist. He was Premier of Saint Vincent from 1972 to 1974. He founded the New Democratic Party (NDP) in 1975 and was its president until 2000.
Chastanet said life-long bond with the United Workers Party never weakened, and his eulogy at the passing of our political leader Sir John Compton in 2007, although peppered with anecdotes about their “boy days,” nevertheless brought tears all around the packed Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Castries.
Sir James was a dedicated strong advocate of regional integration and, for the greater part of his political life, fought assiduously to unify our region under one flag with similar policies. He was an avid writer. He wrote countless articles and books on agriculture. In 2006 MacMillan Caribbean published his autobiography “Beyond the Islands.”
He was a family man and will forever be part of our West Indian history. In his younger days, Sir James was a regular visitor to Saint Lucia, as much for purposes of work as for recreation and adventure with Sir John and his family. We extend to his own family and friends and to our brothers and sisters in St. Vincent and the Grenadines our deepest condolences.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
