Reflections on the passing of Sir James Mitchell

Dr Sir Kennedy Simmonds, former Prime Minister of St Kitts & Nevis

I have been in deep reflection since I received the sad news today, of the passing of Sir James Mitchell, former Prime Minister of St. Vincent & The Grenadines. He holds pride of place in the history of Caribbean, economic, social and political development. Sir James was highly regarded and respected as an astute and unique Political Leader and Statesman, not only in the Caribbean but throughout Europe, the Americas and Africa.

My wife, Lady Simmonds, joins me in extending deepest sympathies to the family of Sir James, at this hour of great sorrow.

My relationship with Sir James, (Son, as his friends called him), has been one of the most memorable and treasured of my political career.

I was privileged to have served with Son and other Caribbean icons like John Compton and Eugenia Charles, at a time when, following the failed West Indies Federation and the stillborn Unity of the “Little Eight”, the Caribbean people were still trying to find practical meaning and substance in the principle of Caribbean Integration.

Sir James Mitchell was a fiercely committed champion for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He was a practical, down to earth, outspoken Leader who became very adept at navigating the corridors of power in Europe, America and multinational organisations in search of economic development for his Country. However, he remained steadfast in his pursuit of “the endgame”, which was improving the quality of life of people by ensuring their access to the essentials for human development, like education, healthcare, opportunities for personal growth and development, and necessary infrastructure.

James Mitchell was not just about his own Country. He was a true Caribbean Champion. I can still vividly recall that after Desmond Hoyte became President of Guyana in 1992, after the death of Forbes Burnham, there was great political turmoil. Some Caribbean leaders had called for Guyana to be expelled from CARICOM. However, Sir James invited a group of Caribbean leaders to Mustique Island, including myself, Dame Eugenia Charles of Dominica, Herbert Blaize of Grenada and Sir Bernard St John of Barbados to meet with Hoyte, to find solutions that eventually ushered the return of Guyana to the mainstream of CARICOM.

He also helped us in St. Kitts & Nevis. He used the experience gained in fighting for the Bequia airport in the halls of the European Economic Commission, in fighting tooth and nail with St. Kitts and Nevis to secure the funding for the expansion of the Vance Amory International Airport in Nevis. He worked assiduously with us through USAID to get the funding for the Southeast peninsula road, (now the Dr. Kennedy Simmonds Highway), in St. Kitts. His life was a demonstration of regional co-operation at its finest and most practical applications.

His greatest influence on my life was as a friend. Our friendship went beyond the courtesies of political colleagues. We have been friends until death did us part. He encouraged me to keep up my tennis, as he assured me that he was keeping up his regular swimming. Whenever we spoke, which was often, he insisted that I should write my own story. He never let up on that subject. He was a prolific author, having written several books and was working on another one. I do not believe it was finished. Eventually I succumbed to his advice and wrote my only volume, The Making of a National Hero. He was happy when he received his copy.

As my friend James Mitchell demits the stage, we are witnesses to the end of an era.

I salute the passing of an icon and a legend. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

(Note: Dr. Sir Kennedy Simmonds was the first Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis. He served, first as the last Premier of the territory, from 1980-1983, then led his country into independence and was Prime Minister from 1983-1995. Sir Kennedy is now his country’s only living National Hero).