In a surprising political reversal, former Attorney General Grenville Williams has publicly endorsed the New Democratic Party’s constituency development fund proposal—a policy his own Unity Labour Party vehemently opposed during its 25-year administration. Williams, who unsuccessfully contested the South Leeward seat in the November 27 general election, made his recommendations through a detailed Facebook post just days after the ULP’s electoral defeat.
The defeated candidate urged newly appointed Prime Minister Godwin Friday to enact two landmark legislations within his first 90 days in office: an integrity commission requiring full financial disclosure from all politicians, and the formal establishment of the constituency development fund that would allocate resources to MPs for local projects. Williams specifically referenced Jamaica’s integrity framework and St. Lucia’s development fund as exemplary models.
This endorsement represents a significant political paradox given that Williams served as attorney general from October 2022 until November 2025 under the ULP government, which consistently blocked both initiatives despite previous campaign promises. The NDP had advocated for the development fund for over fifteen years, facing strong opposition from former Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves who argued it would create duplication and accountability issues.
The development fund became a particular point of contention when opposition member Carlos James Leacock—now Deputy Prime Minister—accused the ULP of secretly implementing similar measures despite public denouncements. Leacock had previously vowed not to serve in any NDP government that failed to establish the fund.
Williams, who lost to NDP’s Nigel Stephenson by 1,266 votes, extended congratulations to his former opponent and offered to share his six-point development plan for South Leeward, emphasizing his commitment to national interest above partisan politics.