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Georgetown, Guyana — People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader Aubrey Norton addressed recent developments regarding the Alliance for Change’s (AFC) activities in PNCR strongholds, as well as potential coalition talks within the opposition.
At the party’s weekly press conference on November 8, Norton acknowledged that AFC representatives have been making efforts to engage with communities traditionally supportive of the PNCR. “It is evident that the AFC is going into PNCR strongholds,” he stated, citing reports from within his own party. Despite AFC’s outreach efforts, Norton expressed confidence in the PNCR’s strong base, emphasizing, “Our party is a strong party guided by a philosophy and a clear understanding of what we set out to do.”
Norton further elaborated on PNCR’s response to AFC’s activities, contrasting PNCR’s political culture with that of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). “Unlike the PPP, we don’t crucify people for going into [opposing] strongholds,” he remarked, alluding to past criticisms from the PPP when the PNCR campaigned in PPP-favored areas.
Regarding the possibility of a coalition, Norton confirmed that he and AFC Leader Nigel Hughes had agreed to an initial meeting, though no formal overtures on coalition have been made, and no specific agenda has been set. “We will meet, and I think we will pursue some form of coalition,” Norton said, adding that any eventual coalition would be based on fair representation of each party’s strength.
He clarified, however, that he would refrain from providing further details until an agenda is finalized. The meeting, Norton noted, would include representatives from the PNCR, APNU, AFC, and WPA—whom he referred to collectively as “the joint opposition at this stage.”
Norton emphasized that the PNCR seeks a coalition structure that reflects each party’s respective strength and aims to establish a united opposition front in the lead-up to the 2025 general elections. He has affirmed that the goal of coalition-building is to unite the opposition to effectively challenge the PPP, but clarified that PNCR will pursue terms that genuinely reflect the parties’ strengths rather than accepting any arrangement without careful consideration.
