ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, October 1st — After 42 years in Grenada’s Parliament, Dr. Keith Mitchell used what he described as his final appearance in the House to deliver something between a farewell, a history lesson and a defense of his political legacy.

With Parliament set to be dissolved on Friday ahead of the general election, the former Prime Minister and longtime MP for St. George’s North West told legislators he wanted the official record to reflect what he believed he had accomplished during his long years in public life.

“This is expected to be the last time that I will be officially here as a parliamentarian, having served in this House for the last 42 years,” Mitchell said. “I felt obliged to answer. The record should show them, in fact, the sentiments that I had on the final session of that service.”

Mitchell, who entered Parliament in 1984 and went on to serve as Prime Minister for nearly two decades, spent much of his farewell recounting the transformation of Grenada’s physical and economic landscape.

He recalled the expansion of electricity into rural communities, saying Grenada moved from approximately 45 percent electricity coverage in 1984 to about 98 percent within five years.

He also highlighted the modernization of the telephone system, recalling that Grenada moved from an outdated crossbar system into the digital era at a time when other Caribbean countries were still making the transition.

He also singled out road development as another achievement, particularly its impact on rural communities.

For Mitchell, infrastructure was not simply about concrete and buildings. It was about changing everyday life for ordinary Grenadians — allowing people to get from their homes to roads and buses without struggling through mud and difficult terrain.

He also pointed to major national projects including the stadium, the Ministerial Complex, the cruise ship port and the new Parliament building, crediting successive governments and international partners for their role in financing national development.

But perhaps the most poignant part of the address came when Mitchell reflected on his relationship with the people of St. George’s North West.

“I’ve served the people of North West St. George’s for 42 years,” he said. “I am very emotional when I talk over this, Mr Speaker, because there were tough times.”

He recalled winning increasingly large shares of the constituency vote over the decades, including more than 90 percent in 1999, and said his continued support was rooted in his relationship with constituents rather than political office itself.

“When you love people, and you show your relationship and consistency, not just the power and the position title, it means nothing,” he said.

Mitchell also reflected on defining challenges of his political career: rebuilding Grenada after Hurricane Ivan, economic reforms, the removal of personal income tax in the 1990s, and the structural adjustment program implemented after his return to office in 2013.

Hurricane Ivan caused damage estimated at more than twice Grenada’s GDP, while the country later entered another severe fiscal crisis, with public debt reaching roughly 110 percent of GDP in 2013.

After returning to government in 2013, Mitchell’s administration pursued debt restructuring and an IMF-supported adjustment program. By 2013–16, the primary fiscal balance had improved substantially, while economic growth averaged about 5 percent under the program.

Mitchell acknowledged that his record was not without mistakes.

He thanked both supporters and critics, saying genuine criticism had helped him become a better politician and person.

“We all accept the fact that we are not perfect persons, and we all make mistakes,” he said. “Who I am today was not the person I was in 1984.”

And then came his clearest statement about his departure.

“I am not going to be here, but I’m doing so willingly,” Mitchell said. “No one pushed me out. No one voted me out.”

He urged other parliamentarians to remain connected to the people they represent.

“My advice to Parliament here and in the future,” he said, “don’t ever leave your people, whatever happens.”

As he closed, Mitchell imagined himself returning not as a parliamentarian, but as an observer in the gallery.

“I expect the next time around I’ll be in the gallery,” he said, before offering his colleagues his best wishes.