Aubrey Norton’s ascension to Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) – the largest support base party in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) – has prompted calls for his appointment as Leader of the Opposition.
According to Norton, the PNCR’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) – the highest decision-making body in the party -wants the opposition leader and the party leader to be one and the same – a known traditional feature of the party. However, Joseph Harmon remains the Opposition leader despite suffering major defeat at the PNCR’s December 2021 Biennial Congress.
Harmon took up that post following the David Granger-led APNU + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC)’s loss at the March 2020 polls. Norton was, at the time, the Director of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.
Norton’s relaying the PNCR’s desire to have him take up the Opposition leader post has somewhat irritated the APNU. In a recent statement, the APNU said that agreements regarding opposition leader’s appointment is sacrosanct, and no one party should be making statements that contravenes these already agreed upon conventions.
“The members of A Partnership for National Unity are thus confused by statements which suggest any one party through its internal meeting can make adhoc changes to agreements which were reached and expected to last for the tenure of the 12th Parliament. If there are issues or concerns that need to be addressed any member of the Partnership or coalition knows the method that should be used in addressing those issues or concerns.”
It added that the members of the APNU would therefore expect that all members in keeping with the “proper and ethical norms” would bring their positions on matters before the APNU Executive for concensus and agreement rather than making public pronouncements on matters that cannot be decided upon by any one party.
The APNU went on, “The members of A Partnership for National Unity have had no reason to question the abilities of David Granger and Khemraj Ramjattan as Head and Deputy Head of the list of the APNU+AFC, we have had no reason to question the leadership of Joseph Harmon as Leader of the Opposition and we have had no reasons to question the abilities of any Member of Parliament.”
Norton stated yesterday that no one would question his ability should be becomes part of the legislature. In fact, he said that he is “more than qualified” to lead the cadre of opposition MPs.
The PNCR Leader is expected to meet with Harmon “before Wednesday” to have discussions.
