ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the chequered constitutional history of Grenada since 1945. It examines the developments in that island from about 1962 leading up to the tragic events of October 1983. The chapter explores the constitutional implications of these developments. Instead of joining a federation, Grenada was busy considering becoming an independent State, for two years later the usual Independence Conference was held in London, resulting in the Grenada Constitution Order 1973, by which the country became an independent State within the Commonwealth. However, before independence was attained there was serious civil unrest stemming mainly from the fact that by this time the Premier, Eric Gairy, was encountering fierce opposition from the New Jewel Movement (NJM), a left-leaning party that had come into being in 1973 and was rapidly mobilising the broad masses of the people. An unsuccessful attempt was thereafter made to have the matter further adjudicated at the level of the Judicial Committee.
