ST. GEORGE ‘S, Grenada: Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell is not comfortable with the preferred choices of the labor movement, business sector or farmers union for the senate, according to a CARIBUPDATE investigation.

Following the last two general elections each sector made one nomination, but this time Prime Minister Mitchell himself wants the final say, our investigation reveals.

While this is not in keeping with recent tradition the leaning of the Prime Minister to finally decide on the nominations is reported to be constitutionally sound since it is the office of the Prime Minister that has to make the final recommendations for the “independent” senators to the Governor General.

The office of the Grenadian leader has confirmed that it has asked the private sector organizations to send in two names, in order of their priority – with the final decision being left to Dr Mitchell.

Our investigations reveal that the private sector organization has already decided on Aaron Moses, an executive with Cable and Wireless Grenada, as their preferred choice for the senate. But base on the demands of the Grenadian leader, it is to consider a second person.

The office of the Prime Minister is reportedly not excited about his nomination and will like to see an alternative. Its preferred choice is head of the private sector organization Christopher DeAllie.

But the private sector organization whose senior representatives met with Prime Minister Mitchell on Thursday is likely to hold its ground.

The preferred choice of the farmer’s organization is Board member of the Grenada Co-operative Nutmeg Association Byron Campbell, but his nomination is also privately opposed by the Prime Minister, according to our sources.

Campbell’s father has been a campaign organizer for the Grenadian leader, but the relations between his son and Dr Mitchell have been cool since they publicly fell out over the running of the nutmeg industry.

Another option is vocal farmer Keith Clouden, which the government will prefer to see in the House.

Clouden, a one-time foe of Mitchell, has made up with the Grenadian leader in recent years and last February addressed the National Independence Celebrations at the invitation of the Prime Minister.

Clouden is lobbying full time for the position.

Though Minister of Labor Clarice Charles told trade unionists this week that the movement’s final choice will be the one nominated to the Senate, there is reported to still be private pressure for the unions to choose someone else other than the outspoken Chester Humphrey.

Leader of the Public Workers’ Union Madonna Harford has been proposed as a likely alternative.

Meantime, the main opposition National Democratic Congress is reported to still be deliberating over its choices of the three opposition places in the Senate.

Losing candidate George Prime, who contested the controversial Carriacou seat, is expected to lead the opposition in the Senate. Prime is the Deputy leader of the NDC.

But the other two choices are still be debated.

The Grenada United Labor Party, which did poorly in last month’s general elections, has reportedly turned down an invitation by the NDC to name one of its senior members to take up one of the postings in a show of opposition unity.

SOURCE: CARIBUPDATE.COM