Norton confident he enjoys grassroots, MPs support as Opposition Leader
--says APNU will contest in almost all areas at LGE
Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton was confident on Thursday that he enjoys mammoth support from the grassroots membership of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) – the main opposition Party for which he was elected leader in December 2021.
This is despite a dominant showing by the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) on Nomination Day which saw many PNC members switching sides to the PPP/C.
In April 2022, Norton became Opposition Leader and one year on, Norton believes he also enjoys the support of the more than 20 APNU Members of Parliament (MPs).
His comments on Thursday came following the notable absence of most Opposition MPs during last Monday’s Nomination Day activities ahead of the June 12, 2023, Local Government Elections.
Norton, responding to questions from the media at a press conference, said any conclusion that he lacks support as a leader because of the absence of some MPs would not be a correct one.
And to make his point, he said the support he enjoys is proven in the fact that the PNC/R-led APNU Coalition is contesting in “virtually all” the 80 local authority areas when polls open on June 12 for LGE.
“As far as I know, Nomination Day was a local activity… the MPs were involved,” Norton said.
He pointed out that Dawn Hastings-Williams was in Bartica, Jermaine Figueira was in Linden, Nima Flue Bess was in Mocha, Sherwin Holder was in Essequibo and Vinceroy Jordan was in Region Five.
Other MPs, including Ganesh Mahipaul and Amanza Walton Desir, were out of the jurisdiction, Norton also clarified.
“As it relates to support of the party…the fact that we could have mobilised and ensured participation across the country is indicative that support is there,” Norton added.
Beyond the specific activities for Nomination Day on Monday, Norton said, “For the most part what is important is the support from the membership of the party.
“Those I have… and as far as I know I have the support of the Members of Parliament,” he added.
