The Nassau Guardian
Rupert Roberts joins the DNA
The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) announced yesterday that businessman Rupert Roberts has joined the organization.
Roberts, the owner of the Super Value grocery store chain, said he is tired of the same political parties.
“We’ve had the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) for years. The Free National Movement (FNM) and PLP, there’s very little difference. I think it’s time to try something else,” Roberts said at a press conference.
Roberts has been in business for more than 50 years.
He has also been outspoken on numerous issues, including the New Providence Road Improvement Project (NPRIP) and the implementation of value-added tax (VAT).
Roberts said he was very distressed that the Ingraham administration “steamrolled” through the Blue Hill Road and Market Street portions of the road improvement project.
“It destroyed a lot of lives and the livelihood of a lot of people,” he said.
“The FNM wouldn’t listen. The PLP marched and prayed with us and came to power and did nothing.”
When asked what his allegiance was before joining the DNA, Roberts said he was a PLP.
“I supported the PLP very heavily financially and voted for them as many of us did because the people said they were going to the polls to vote out the FNM and I suppose that’s what I did,” he said.
DNA Leader Branville McCartney thanked Roberts for his support.
“We are most privileged and honored to have a person like Mr. Roberts to be a part of the DNA,” McCartney said.
“I intimated a few months back that persons have joined and will be joining — persons who are significant in The Bahamas.
“Today is the start of [that].”
The party did not indicate if Roberts will be on its ticket in the next general election.
The DNA won no seats in the last general election, but made history by garnering the most votes ever for a third party in The Bahamas.
The DNA got 13,186 votes of the 155,804 votes cast, which accounts for 8.4 percent of the overall vote.
McCartney pledged yesterday that a DNA government would work for the people.
“We believe and we have said the power of the people is always greater than the people in power,” he said.
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