Former long serving member of the New National Party (NNP), Kennedy Roberts has turned his back on the party and walked into the embrace of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), a party he campaigned against for years.

Roberts, who served the NNP in various capacities, surprised many Grenadians when he appeared on the NDC platform on Sunday, 11th February, during the endorsement of St. David’s Candidate, Adrian Thomas.

While admitting his past close affiliation to the NNP and the Political Leader of the New National Party, Dr. Keith Mitchell, Roberts made it clear that he will remain non-partisan as his objective is to seek a better health system for the Grenadian people.

Roberts maintains his respect for the political leader of the NNP, but says he was forced to walk away from the party.

“This is not something I ever thought that I would have been doing, however I have prayed a lot and I’ve asked God for the guidance. I have discussed this with my wife and my family. I have discussed this with the Constituency of St. George North East and I have explained to the people what I’m about to do. I have spoken to people all over Grenada, regionally and internationally. I have received calls from persons from all over the region, all over Grenada and they have told me stand up for your principles, stand up for what you strongly believe in and what you need to do, step forward and do it,” he said to loud cheers from the NDC supporters.

The former Deputy Chairman of the National Health Insurance Advisory Committee feels cast aside by the NNP after his brainchild was taken and passed on for implementation by others.

“In 1995 when Dr. Mitchell became Prime Minister, I was working in St. Lucia and in 1996 I gave Dr. Mitchell and the Government a report on National Health Insurance in Grenada. Brothers and Sisters that was 23 years ago and I am standing here saying the same thing I have been saying since then and I believe if you’re doing the same thing over and over and not getting any decision you have to do something different and I’m doing something different.

“With Grenada’s General Election carded for March 13th, and all political parties and independent candidates actively campaigning, Roberts is calling for unity.

“I am not going to partisan; I am not going to say things that are not patriotic to Grenada because the reality is I have known Dr. Mitchell for a very long time. I have been close to him in many ways. I have respected him and I believe that he has done a lot for Grenada in the time he has been here; but I am convinced that this is our time in history when we have to tell him thank you Dr. Mitchell you have played your part, time to move on,” Roberts said.

He told the gathering of NDC-ites that his involvement in politics was because of his passion for the health of the people not just for Grenada but for the region; and that is why over the twenty plus years he continues laboring, talking about National Health Insurance and  the health of the people.

“I got involved with the NNP because of my personal relationship with Dr. Mitchell, but I have tried, I have given my best , I have tried in all ways and in this last five years I have given them the benefit of the doubt, I have tried, suggested, recommended, I put it in writing, I’ve said it in the newspapers and I am convinced that the New National Party is not interested in the health of Grenadians, they’re not interested in people and as a result I am here tonight to tell Grenadians to think carefully, think about your health situation and you have to think seriously about the decision you make on March 13th,” he said.

Roberts who lectures at the St. George’s University specializing in health management took issue with the appointment of Health Minister Nicholas Steele.

“He doesn’t have a clue, but he’s minister of health, so when Dr. Mitchell realize that he cannot implement, he asked Emmalin to come and implement the National Health Insurance, so in October 2016, Emmalin call me and she say Kennedy we want you to come back on the Committee and proceed, I say Minister Pierre I am willing to do it but under the condition that we do it properly.

“She said we have a plan to implement it by July 2017, I say Minister Pierre it is impossible to do it in such a rush, let us go to the people, let us consult, but what I realize they were hoping to have elections in October /November last year so they want to introduce it for politics rather than for the health of the people and I say no”, Roberts told supporters.

He said that the present health system leaves a lot to be desired as the New National Party has taken a very disjointed approach to health. Pointing to service at the district level Roberts say people have no confidence in using these facilities.

Roberts says that the NDC has given him the assurance that when it is voted into office on March 13th that they will take the issue of National Health Insurance to the people.

He said that the NDC has shown that one don’t have to be an NDC member to contribute to the development of Grenada.

Roberts leap from the NNP to NDC is compared to the leap made by former General Secretary of the NDC, Peter David to the House of the New National Party; but an executive member of the party says the two can’t be compared as Peter David was thrown out by the party and was severely ridiculed by the leader of the party he now serve; while Roberts left the party on his own free will and there was no disrespect from the NDC leadership to Roberts.

Kennedy Roberts is the brother of the NDC Chairman, Vincent Roberts.