The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has endorsed its first female intended candidate for Saint Mark, who described her entrance into politics as a great risk that is however rooted in a deep desire for public service.
“This is the biggest risk I have ever taken in my life,” revealed Claris DeGannes to attendees at this week’s branch meeting that was attended by Political Leader Dickon Mitchell, who is also the Prime Minister.
Accepting her new role as caretaker, the former teacher and acting principal of St Mark’s Secondary School shared “I am giving up a career I love, a life that was already mapped out to enter into politics.”
However, despite acknowledging “politics can be dirty,” she sees it as getting to the “root of service to our fellow men, advocacy, being a voice for the voiceless and assisting people to get to a place where they never imagined.”
DeGannes reflected on her journey from growing up in the rural community of Belmont to dedicating her professional life to education at the St Mark’s Secondary since 2005, and also community development revealing, “Serving my parish has always been a dream.”
The former educator added, “There is a quiet conviction within that echoes: this is bigger than you.” She said she has decided that her time is now to join the work of the NDC, with “an administration I have never seen achieve so much in such a short space of time; infrastructural development, investment in healthcare, policies to benefit every Grenadian, the reinstitution of pension and the development of the human resource – our people aren’t given a fish, they are taught to fish.”
Sharing optimism for the future, the new candidate said “I have a dream that the blankets of vulnerability and poverty that have cloaked our parish will be lifted. Everyone in this space will become an advocate for the change they wish to see…that when that conch shell blows history…that NDC after many, many years will win the St Mark’s seat.”
She told the constituents, “…For that dream to become a reality, let the work begin.”
The outgoing St Mark’s caretaker, Quince Britton has made it clear that his “full support” remains with and his successor caretaker, “the first female endorsed for the parish,” clarifying that the change has caused no upset.
On Vibes FM on Thursday he said, “Nobody did me any wrong; it is a democratic process we follow. Both of us expressed interest, the constituency branch decides and whatever is the decision we line up behind it and march in unity.”
Britton who lost in the 2022 General Election added, “I am in full support and I expect all to rally behind team NDC in St Mark and we will be victorious.”
He described DeGannes as one who is “organized and community oriented,” adding that their friendship spans decades.
For decades, St Mark remained beyond the reach of the NDC with parliamentary representation by the Opposition New National Party’s (NNP). The constituency’s current MP is Dr Clarice Modeste, who held the reigns since 1999.
To change this, Britton thanked the people for their support during his time at the helm and expressed excitement to continue campaigning with DeGannes saying, “We have to knock on doors, re-engage the people, there is a renewed vigor in St Mark which I am loving,” adding that the parish has commenced it meetings recording the input of the people for the development of the People’s Manifesto.
“No pebble will be left unturned,” he said stating “we have been misrepresented over the many years by the former administration and its representative…taking the people for granted.”
The NDC continues to its endorsement of potential candidates for the next general election that is constitutionally due next year.
