Forde’s return to Central Committee in limbo if he loses leadership race to Norton

With the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) 22nd Biennial Delegates Congress set for June 28 to 30, 2024, Roysdale Forde’s, SC, return to the Central Executive Committee (CEC) – the party’s highest decision-making body - hangs in the balance.

During a press conference on Friday, party Leader Aubrey Norton was asked if he sees Forde’s role changing if he loses the leadership race.

“The only change I would see is he ran in the last election, lost, and didn’t get on the executive. And as the leader of the party, I have an option of co-opting members, and so I co-opted him as a member of the central executive,” Norton told media operatives. 

“Even if he loses, I will have to consult with people, and it depends on how you lose and what is the party’s perception. Remember, I’m not operating here as Aubrey Norton; I’m operating as leader of the party.”

Norton, who is also the Opposition Leader, added that the fate of Forde will be determined only after the outcome of the upcoming Congress.

“We will have to wait for the outcome of the election to know what direction it may go. What happens if the party comes and says they want him? Then I am open; if they say they don’t, then I am open; I might even fight for him; you never know.”

Having served the PNCR since the 1990s and now Shadow Attorney General in the National Assembly, Forde joined the race in March to challenge Norton. After announcing his campaign for the leadership post, Forde got the backing of party stalwart Amna Ally, who took a jab at Norton, claiming that he was “not fit” to be a leader.

Nevertheless, the party’s congress theme is “Forming the Next Government: Building a Just, Inclusive, and Prosperous Society for All.”

According to Norton, the theme was chosen to reflect the party’s determination to return to government in the next general elections and implement its people-centered development strategy.