The PNCR yesterday threw down the gauntlet to its partners in APNU+AFC, insisting that its new Head Aubrey Norton should become the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament but there was immediate resistance to this call which threatens an embarrassing public showdown that can also drag in former President David Granger.
As had been foretold by political observers, Norton’s easy win of the PNCR’s leadership at the party’s congress immediately put the position of current Leader of the Opposition Joe Harmon in danger as the latter has no base and was shepherded into the post by Granger, who, after losing the 2020 general elections banished a large number of senior PNCR officials from the Parliamentary line-up. Norton is not a Member of Parliament and it would be up to Granger as Representative of the List to make decisions on changes to the complement of MPs.
Yesterday’s press conference was the first overt declaration by the PNCR and Norton that they were intent on taking up Harmon’s position as Leader of the Opposition and Granger’s role as Representative of the List. The PNCR is the main component of A Partner-ship for National Unity (APNU) which also comprises several tiny parties.