People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader, Aubrey Norton says internal change is essential to the party’s objective to once again govern Guyana. He told party members and supporters at the General Council over the weekend, that the party must be ready to meet the challenge, and that it must be organized.
Norton said that sweeping changes must be made and touted for the return to party “fundamentals”, that is, ensuring party presence in every electoral division and the enhancement of leadership approaches in those areas.
The party, according to him, must demonstrate to the Guyanese society that it is prepared to be “the next government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.”
While the PNCR conveys its willingness to lead, it must also strive for unity within its membership.
“The outdated approach where persons are ostracized after exercising their democratic right to compete at Party elections has no place in the PNCR,” Norton declared.
This is the first time that Norton has opened up about PNCR’s internal challenges, although reports of factionalism have seeped through since the party’s last Biennial Congress last December which saw former Joseph Harmon facing defeat. His loss at those elections gave way to pressure for his removal so that Norton can ascend.
But Norton said over the weekend that those who failed to acquire leadership positions at the last PNCR elections were co-opted to the Central Executive as a sign of good faith. He reminded that those members are competent and the PNCR should take advantage of their experience.
He further reminded that the party must “be aware that there are those who do not willingly embrace change”.
“We must continue to engage these comrades. At the same time, we must do everything to ensure our Party continues this road to progress in which leadership is accountable and serves the interest of our members, supporters, and all Guyanese. Ours is a Party to build. Let us build it together. We must focus on strategically positioning our Party to return to government as part of a stronger Coalition,” he said.
The theme of the two-day event was “Rebuilding our Party, Connecting with our Grass Roots Base.” The General Council is the Party’s highest governing body between Biennial Delegates Congresses. Party representatives and executives from all ten administrative regions attended the General Council.
This first day of the General Council was chaired by Shurwayne Holder, MP, and Chairman of the PNCR. The Party General Secretary, Geeta Chandan Edmond, MP, brought the Council up-to-date on the state of the Party and the work already in progress to upgrade and modernize the Party Secretariat.
