After weeks of being vacant, two seats on the Opposition side of the National Assembly were yesterday filled after Aubrey Norton and Volda Lawrence were sworn in as the newest APNU+AFC Members of Parliament (MPs).
They both took the oath of office shortly after the 46th sitting of the twelfth Parliament commenced at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal yesterday afternoon.
The oath was administered by Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs in the presence of a full House. Among the special invitees were former Prime Minister Hamilton Green and Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine.
In brief comments, Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir informed the House that before either of the members could participate in the proceedings of the National Assembly, they would have to “make and subscribe” to the oath of office as required by Article 167 of the constitution.
After taking the oath, both Lawrence and Norton were escorted to their front row seats which they will be occupying in the National Assembly. They were welcomed with loud applause and banging on the tables.
Nadir also congratulated them. “Honourable members, I would like on behalf of all of you and also again myself, to congratulate both members, Mr Aubrey Norton and Ms Volda Lawrence on them again becoming members of this National Assembly. We welcome them and extend all our good wishes and best prayers to them in the performance of their duties,” he expressed.
Norton and Lawrence are replacing former Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon and Nicolette Henry.
Norton was elected as Leader of PNCR in December, last year and it was the view of the party that he should be immediately added to the parliamentary line-up and replace Harmon as Opposition Leader.
Under severe pressure from PNCR supporters, Harmon resigned as Opposition Leader and later as an MP paving the way for adjustments to the line-up.
Former Minister of Education Dr Nicolette Henry left the House on March 31.
On April 6th, Nadir was notified by Chief Election Officer (CEO), Vishnu Persaud that the names of Norton and Lawrence were extracted from the APNU+AFC list to fill the two vacancies.
Norton’s and Lawrence’s names were extracted following consultations between the APNU Coalition and the Alliance For Change.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Lawrence who previously served as the Minister of Public Health said it “feels good” to return to the National Assembly. “It feels good to be once again given the opportunity to represent the people, especially people who don’t have a voice and also to be able to be involved in the development of our country even though it’s at the legislative level,” she expressed.
Asked what influenced her decision to return, Lawrence said it was her party’s call.
The swearing in of Lawrence has signalled her return to prominent public life after taking a step back last year citing personal reasons when she decided not to contest for the leadership of the PNCR.
“I have been working for as long as I could remember and when I was Minister I never took leave, even though I was ill. So I am just taking some time for myself and my family…I don’t want to be in this race, I am tired,” Lawrence had said back in December last year.
In 2017, Lawrence was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent three surgeries that year. Additionally, she underwent chemo and radiation therapy without taking a leave of absence. She had said that the decision had taken its toll on her and she was taking a step back from the leadership roles.
Lawrence will assume the portfolio of shadow minister with responsibility for finance replacing the AFC’s Juretha Fernandes who currently shoulders that responsibility.
Norton was also elected as Leader of the Opposition yesterday.
Both Lawrence and Norton were surprisingly left off of the APNU+AFC parliamentary line-up in 2020 by former coalition head and Representative of the List, David Granger.
