IF haughty, delusional, and overconfident were a person or politician, it undoubtedly would be Aubrey Norton. He continues to miss the opportunity to sound and act like he could be Guyana’s next president.

Norton’s demeanour, at the media conferences that his party has weekly, proves that he is not cut out for the media limelight or the political spotlight. He is not president material and sometimes justifies why the PNC/R and APNU+AFC have kept him so long in the shadows.

He often appears tense and complex as though he or his party is hiding something. He projects an abrasive tone and posture towards the media that discourages reporters from wanting to engage him. This is why his press conferences appear to be an afterthought for the media. This is reflected in the way the media covers Norton and the PNC/R or the APNU. The media appear disinterested and unbothered about Norton’s viewpoints and comments about matters of national importance.

And it is not to say that he answers the questions put to him because he never really answers anything directed at him adequately. Norton usually takes the approach of being politically correct rather than being direct and factual on a particular issue. This approach is bad for the party as it exposes its cracks and ignorance on some of the matters of public interest.

For instance, if the media asks for an oil and gas policy, they rarely get it from Norton. What Norton does is articulate a broad and very vague position before going on a completely different tangent. He always seeks to take a swipe at Bharrat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali or make allegations that the PPP is corrupt or governing poorly. He never gives the party’s policy or has it in written form to give to the media. Is this because there isn’t a policy and Norton is just ‘talking’ from his head? Could it be a case where he is bluffing the public because he does not know the answer to some of what he is being asked?

That aside, his energy is often wired and off with his colleagues and opposition politicians. For example, some of his high-level colleagues appeared to cringe at some of the positions he takes on behalf of the PNCR.

When Norton gave his answer last Thursday when he was asked about the party’s congress, their facial expressions said it all. They know that Norton does not enjoy the confidence and unanimous support of all PNCR-APNU financers, party members and supporters. Could it be that Norton’s over-confidence is a turnoff for senior party members and parliamentarians alike?
Norton appears to be living in a bubble and the power that he currently possesses may be getting to his head. He is not liked at all and he is misreading the mood of the people who voted for the coalition. This is not like the PNCR congress in 2021 when Norton was the only logical and safe choice for the party’s leadership.

Since this time, Norton has not reformed the party and structure but has plunged into deeper and lasting paralysis. He has made it stagnant and it has not moved an inch towards becoming a more democratic and free party. If anything, it could be said that the PNCR has regressed as a political unit and become a party on a fishing expedition but it is not catching anything.

Norton has made the PNCR and APNU into a party of political opportunism because the party is jumping from issue to issue but not in a coordinated style or purpose. This shows weak leadership and, frankly speaking, it is bad politics or political grasshopping.

Even the cost-of-living rallies are not even attracting opposition political support. By the time Norton goes up and addresses the gathering, people start to journey home or disperse. This is indicative that there is a problem and the PNCR or APNU needs to get to the bottom of it.

Where are the old guards of the PNCR apart from Hamilton Green? Where is David Granger and why does he still refuse to show his face at party events in public? Where are Amna Ally, Volda Lawerence, and other prominent PNC or APNU politicians?

The PNCR used to be a proud party and had a rich history of youth and women activism despite its past of rigging elections. It had a fighting spirit. It had a plan and ways of accomplishing it. Now, regrettably, it is only a shell of itself.

What happened to the PNCR and APNU under Norton? Why would party members run away from the party? The public wants answers and deserves to know because the membership is at an all-time low and funds are low.

Norton cannot be the only choice because with him as the choice, the opposition politics will remain in disarray and the agenda will be in shambles.

The PNCR cannot win the upcoming General Elections with Aubery Norton at the helm of that party or as its presidential candidate. It is clear too, APNU+AFC Coalition does not stand a chance of emerging victorious at the polls in 2025 with him as their presidential candidate. He is way too haughty, delusional, proud, and overconfident.

The truth is no one wants to debate Norton on any issue. No one takes him seriously when he speaks to the media or in public, not even some of the very members who appear with him on TV. He would do good to stop forcing himself on the party and disappear into political exile.