The PNCR elections are two weeks away, and so far, the party is reaping significant PR benefits. It is indeed refreshing to see a political party in the Third World involved in an open and transparent process to elect its Leader. The campaign has been intense, but free of rancor. Candidates have been putting forward policy positions for Party reform, nation building, and confronting the PPP to remove it from office. They have been crisscrossing the country, holding meetings in every nook and cranny to talk with delegates. The process has captured the attention of the nation. However, the final two weeks of the campaign will see a rise in energy and enthusiasm. The party and candidates must be on the lookout for over exuberance.
Over the last few days things got even better for the PNCR. The two leading candidates, Aubrey Norton and Joe Harmon, both made unequivocal commitments to party unity. They gave firm undertakings to accept and work with whatever the election throws up. Speaking to party members at Linden on November 28th, Norton said, “…I will work with whoever are elected by the people, because elections should manifest the will of the people.
Speaking with confidence he said, “not because somebody supported another candidate that person has to be marginalized when I become Leader.” He promised change in this regard and committed to involve people with the requisite skill regardless of if they supported him or not. He promised to unite the Party.
Just a few days earlier, Joe Harmon told a meeting in Bartica he is also on the unity train. He said, “I, Joseph Fredrick Harmon, am prepared to work with whatever the election throws up … I have given that commitment because the Party is bigger than anyone of us. But I believe the first order of business is to unify our party.”
This is indeed a positive development for the PNCR, and members and supporters should look to see how these candidates walk the talk. The next two weeks are critical to how prepared and effective the PNCR will be in its efforts to hold the PPP excesses in check, and ultimately remove that party from office in 2025. It all depends on how the candidates see reality.
At this time the reality is, Aubrey Norton is the apparent presumptive Leader of the PNCR. He received 17 of 19 nominations in Region 2, 15 of 21 in Region 3, 52 of 65 in Region 4, 17 of 18 in Region 5, and 8 of 15 in Region 10. He also picked up 10 of 13 nominations in the North American Region, and captured the nominations from the NCW and the GYSM. This was an overwhelming endorsement by the members for Aubrey Norton to be the next Leader of the Party. And, while nothing is certain in politics, at this time the safe bet is, Aubrey C. Norton will be the next Leader of the PNCR. This is not to say other candidates, Joe Harmon and Richard Van West Charles, should suspend their campaign. Campaigning onto the last day could have benefits. For instance it could enhance a candidate’s chances of securing another position.
However, the campaign from here on must strike a particular tone. So far it has been relatively clean, and candidates have expressed their commitment to party unity. It must remain this way. In the next 14 days it is possible blood could run hot. People might think the best strategy is to attack the frontrunner. However, all must recognize an attack on Aubrey Norton is likely an attack providing fodder for the PPP to attack the next Leader of the Party. This will be harmful to the Party as a whole.