Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton today insisted that a range of vital issues outside of constitutional appointments have to be raised whenever he meets with President Irfaan Ali.
At a press conference, Norton was responding to the Sunday Stabroek editorial of April 23 entitled `Opposition Leader’ which had expressed concern that Norton had signalled his intention to advance broader issues whereas the focus should be on securing long- awaited appointments such as those of the Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice.
Reading from a prepared statement, Norton said today “Given this dire emergency in the country’s governance and democracy, it would be a gross dereliction of duty, responsibility, and morality on the part of the Leader of the Opposition and the entire APNU+AFC coalition not to raise these issues at every opportunity in the hope of rescuing this nation on behalf of the people.
“Is Stabroek News contending that these issues are not as critical as (or are less critical than) the appointment of a partial list of judges and commissioners? I hope not. It is in this context that I disagree with Mr. (Ralph) Ramkarran that these matters must be dealt with at the level of the Parliamentary Committees. These matters must be dealt with at the source of power. They must be dealt with at the level of the President, or he who wields the power from behind the throne. What sense will it make to appoint judges when the regime does not believe in or practice democracy and respect the rule of law? It will be another charade!”, Norton thundered.
He said that the discussions with the President on the appointment of judges and commissioners can be managed as a “standalone” item and delinked from other matters.
“As Leader of the Opposition, I intend to fulfil my responsibilities in this regard. It is now up to the President to stop the protracted dilly-dallying and fulfil his own constitutional responsibilities”, Norton declared.
He also stated that the “appointment of a few judges and commissioners (as important as they are) cannot, however, even begin to save the country from its headlong fall into the escalating crisis in democracy and governance under the PPP government”.
The Sunday Stabroek editorial said: “Contrary to what Mr Norton thinks, constitutional appointments are not in the same category as other issues, and cannot be dealt with at the same time. It so happens that the President cannot justify refusing to meet the Leader of the Opposition on general social and political topics, but the latter should get the constitutional matters out of the way first, and then take the head of state on in relation to his obduracy concerning wider discussions. It so happens there is not overwhelming support in the larger society for President Ali’s refusal in this respect, so Mr Norton has everything to gain by biding his time, and nothing to lose”.
Referring to the editorial, Norton said: “Let me say upfront that the PNCR and the Opposition in general are open to constructive criticism and will seek to always respond in the interest of achieving clarity, consensus, shared understandings, and constructive disagreements (as opposed to destructive disputes)”.
He added: “Stabroek News attempts to stereotype and pigeon-hole my political style and evaluate my political acumen is noted. I like when you are guessing and not sure what will happen. It would be unproductive to respond to Stabroek News on these matters”.
