Long-awaited PNCR Congress for October

Efforts are underway to hold a delegates-only Congress in October in deference to COVID-19 protocols and in observance of the 64th Anniversary of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

This is according to party elder Hamilton Green. Green, a former General Secretary of the party, told Stabroek News that since he is no longer an executive member he holds no official information but he is aware of certain preparations. PNCR officials have been mum on a Congress date and related matters.

“My information is that they are thinking of a reduced Congress operation. Our Congress includes delegates and observers but because of COVID-19 and space constraints they are now considering just having delegates or reducing it to a smaller number. I think the timeline they are working with is to coincide with the party’s formation in October,” Green stated.

Green’s position was partially supported by PNCR Executive Richard Van West-Charles who said that though the date is not yet fixed the intention is for Congress to be held before the end of 2021.

Green stressed that Congress has always been a regular feature of the party and will likely remain so.

“The PNC is the only party that holds regular Congress. Consistently since 1957 the party has held Congress,” he said when asked if those who have publicly expressed concerns should feel certain that the event will be held.

The 21st Biennial Congress was expected to be held in August 2020 but due to the prolonged elections crisis and the pandemic was postponed indefinitely.

Current General Secretary Amna Ally had previously suggested that the Congress might not be held in 2021.

In March, Ally told Stabroek News that she did not know when Congress would be held.

“We have to have congress and ideally we would’ve had congress this year but with the pandemic we definitely can’t…our party has a lot of people and we can’t bring all those people into one place during this pandemic,” Ally explained. The General Secretary has since refused to comment on the party’s plans, telling this newspaper repeatedly that she will not discuss party matters with the media.

In April party leader David Granger announced that the Central Executive Committee (CEC) has been presented with a report on the feasibility of holding Congress in “some form” but is still to make a decision.

The Congress will likely see Granger being challenged for leadership of the party. While Granger virtually installed former Minister of State, Joseph Harmon as Opposition Leader and there may be similar plans for leadership of the party such plans will likely face a challenge from party chair Volda Lawrence.

Lawrence and other senior PNCR officials were sidelined by Granger from parliamentary duty after APNU+AFC was declared the loser at the controversial

Hamilton Green

March 2nd 2020 general elections. Lawrence is seen as being interested in running for leadership of the party. She had already shown such credentials and intent when she defeated Harmon and former party chairman Basil Williams for the post of Chair of the party. Lawrence is said to have a major support base in Region Four.

Recent months have also seen disaffection in the PNCR’s ranks and grumbling about Granger’s leadership. Recently, senior member Thandi McAllister resigned from the party.