It was a real knock out blow for Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and his governmental colleagues in Parliament on Friday 20th July last. The government failed in its bid to pass the Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2012 in the House of Representatives. This phenomenon marks the first time in the history of Grenada that a government in piloting a bill through parliament was deprived of majority support when the votes were counted. The votes in favour of passing the bill was five and those against was six.

The Leader of the Opposition Dr. Keith Mitchell led the way in showing that the measures which were sought in the bill would create additional financial burden on the backs of Grenadians who are already suffering under dire economic conditions. This is so he said, because whatever payments that would be extracted from Insurance companies by government, the ordinary folks in the country would be made to bear the financial burden by those companies.

Dr. Mitchell was ably supported by other members of the Opposition in addition to support given by Hon. Michael Church and Hon. Karl Hood. Other members belonging to the government side such as Hon Peter David and Hon. Glynis Roberts failed to make a showing in parliament. This is surely a sign of things to come as the split in the ruling party becomes wider and wider. It seems to be a foregone conclusion that in the very near future the government would not be able to pass any money bills in parliament and this would certainly lead to a vote of no confidence in that administration.

The time seems to be fast approaching when Prime Minister Thomas would have no alternative but to request the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and set a date for general elections. Grenadians deserve to be relieved of this political melee.