The National Democratic Congress welcomes the last ditch attempt by the New National Party (NNP) to sign the political code of conduct drawn up by civil society for the 2008 general election campaign. We are however disappointed that the NNP showed the level of disrespect and the mixed signals to civil society that it has.
 
The NDC believes the input and perspective of organizations such as the Grenada Conference of Churches, The Trades Union Council, the Inter Agency Group, the media and other stakeholder organization are critical to the development of a civilized and constructive discussion on national issues, particularly during a national elections.
 
We are also disappointed that all calls from the conference of churches and several other organizations to the New National Party and its leaders to sign the code were rebuffed. We  believe there are four reasons for the NNP desperation to sign the code at this time.
 
1.      The NNP is seeking to sign the code at this time as a means of damage control.
2.      The NNP and its leadership recognizes their support is waning and one route of saving face was to be seen to be taking a popular public position.
3.      The NNP is seeking to respond to the National Democratic Congress' position not to debate any party that has not signed the code.
4.      The NNP is seeking to muscle its way into a debate with the NDC without the inclusion of other parties
 
The NDC wishes to point out that the NNP is signing the code at a time when they have broken most, if not all, of the position stated in the code of conduct.
 
Due to the lateness of the NNP's signature to the Code of Conduct, the National Democratic Congress will refrain from any public debates with the NNP unless the leaders of all political parties are involved.
 
It must be recalled that in 2003 the NNP hailed the manifesto of the Peoples Labour Movement (PLM) as one of the best and called in Dr. Francis Alexis to discuss the possibility of using some of his manifesto plans.
 
We believe on July 9, 2008, all Grenadians, notwithstanding their political color or shade, will have a part to play in the development of the country. The NDC does not have a monopoly on ideas, and so a national debate will provide an opportunity for all parties to place their ideas on the table at a time when all ideas are needed to more the country forward.