THE main Opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is looking at possible transformation and change to garner more support for the next year’s general elections.
In a statement yesterday, it said this was among issues covered at a “strategic planning retreat and conference” Saturday of its North America Region (NAR) in Linden. The planning retreat came in the wake of the scuttling of much-touted moves for an opposition electoral coalition by the small Alliance For Change (AFC).
The AFC recently came out publicly against any alliance with the PNCR for the 2011 elections but the PNCR said it is pursuing partnership talks with other smaller parties.
According to the PNCR, the Saturday retreat was designed to achieve the following objectives:
“Review and internalize the present political context of Guyana and the PNCR’s plan to regain power; outline the present role and focus of NAR; explore new arrangements and possible roles for NAR in support of the PNCR in the run-up to national elections; suggest areas of transformation and change of the party in support of its movement back to power.”
The PNCR said facilitator of the conference was management consultant Dr. Aubrey Armstrong and conference planning chair was Retired Guyana Defence Force Colonel Larry London.
It said the retreat was organised to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the death of its Founder Leader and former President Forbes Burnham.
The theme of the conference, it said, was “Mobilizing the North America Region in support of the party’s movement back to power.”
It reported that among those attending were Leader, Mr. Robert Corbin; Chairman, Mr. ‘Cammie’ Ramsaroop and Vice-Chairs, Dr. George Norton and Mr. Basil Williams.
The party said Corbin’s presentation was “very nostalgic as he revisited the Burnham era” and he ended with a challenge to everyone to “always put the party first and to preserve its rich legacy”.
The PNCR said the conference was “a huge success, meeting all of its stated objectives.”