In 1956, the newly formed Progressive Liberal Party were actively preparing for the June general elections. The Party, was effectively trying to downplay the political damage, caused by PLP co-founder, William W. Cartwright, who had been sentenced to four years in jail just months before.
Campaigning wasn’t going to be easy.
Fresh new faces were brought in to challenge the seemingly impenetrable political hegemony that was the United Bahamian Party.
One new face, brought in by the PLP, was a young man, named Loftus Roker. However, as quickly as Roker appeared on the political scene in 1956; he suddenly left.
Much speculation was had.
Ultimately, it was discovered that Roker wasn’t even old enough to vote, much less offer himself as a candidate for election.
Roker was not yet 21 years old. Loftus went to Crooked Island as the PLP candidate on a Wednesday, but was sent packing by Sunday.
He was supposedly told, ‘don’t come back until you are old enough to wear long pants.’
