The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) will always be a major political party in Guyanese politics but if it is to successfully lead in the future it must return to its base, clearly redefine its purpose and message and find new leaders.
This is according to three generations of party members: Hamilton Green, Basil Williams and James Bond.
The PNCR’s image has taken a battering in the aftermath of the March 2nd general elections after senior election officials were accused of attempting to rig elections in favour of APNU+AFC in which the PNCR is the key player. The rigging attempt led to five months of stalemate which saw several court cases, an exhaustive recount of ballots and unrelenting pressure from the international community for the declaration of a fair result. The US imposed visa sanctions on officials it thought to be undermining democracy here. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at one point called for the Granger administration to step aside. After the PPP/C was declared the winner on August 2nd there was consternation in the PNCR camp after senior leaders including Party Chair Volda Lawrence and General Secretary Amna Ally were left off of the list of APNU+AFC MPs for the 12th Parliament.