Central Committee

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During the Grenada Revolution, within the New Jewel Movement (NJM), an elite group of 15 to 16 top party leaders set the policy goals and chartered the path of the NJM to socialism through careful Marxist-Leninist ideologies. This group was known as the Central Committee and was chaired by Maurice Bishop.

Membership in the Central Committee was restricted to full or candidate members of the NJM. The committee would meet monthly.

Members of the NJM Central Committee included:

Maurice Bishop – Chair
Bernard Coard – until his resignation in November 1982
George Louison – until his expulsion in October 1983
Unison Whiteman
Liam James
Hudson Austin
Kenrick Radix – until his sudden resignation from the party in 1982
Fitzroy Bain
Phyllis Coard
Leon Cornwall
John Ventour
Ewart Layne
Caldwell Taylor – until he was removed in
Ian St. Bernard
Dave Bartholomew

By the summer of 1983 two factions evolved within the Central Committee; one in support of Maurice Bishop and the other with loyalty to Bernard Coard. This split led to the demise of the NJM and the end of the Grenada Revolution.

The Grenada Revo Story, Part 1
Discover the roots of the Grenada Revolution as the NJM overthrows long-time Prime Minister Eric Gairy, ushering in four years of radical change and hope for Grenada. Hear how Maurice Bishop rose to leadership, the formation of the People's Revolutionary Government, and the simmering tensions within the new regime that would ultimately set the stage for future conflict.
The Grenada Revo Story, Part 2
Follow the charismatic Maurice Bishop as he leads the NJM through ambitious reforms, with both local and international support—especially from Cuba. Hear how dreams of joint leadership with Deputy PM Bernard Coard spark international debates and exposes hidden rivalries.
The Grenada Revo Story, Part 3
With Maurice Bishop's return from Eastern Europe, the Central Committee grows increasingly divided, as rumors & accusations deepen mistrust. Secret meetings, expulsions, and dramatic confrontations escalate, resulting in Bishop and his key allies placed under house arrest by his own comrades.
The Grenada Revo Story, Part 5
The revolution reaches its heartbreaking climax on October 19, 1983. Thousands rally to free Maurice Bishop, only for a tragic showdown at Fort Rupert to unfold. This riveting episode recounts the chaos, violence, and executions that end the revolutions—and forever alter Grenada's destiny—leaving us with haunting questions about power, loyalty, and legacy.
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