'Norton must go or PNCR risk losing GT' - Former Mayor

‘Norton must go or PNCR risk losing GT’ – Former Mayor

May 15, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – Former Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine believes, Aubrey Norton must step down as leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) or the party risk losing political control of the Georgetown municipality.

In a scathing letter to the editor, Pandit Narine, a former member of the PNCR, predicted that this can happen as soon as following the upcoming local government elections slated for this year end. He noted that the PNCR party which has retained control of the city for close to sixty years has lost its way.

'Norton must go or PNCR risk losing GT' - Former Mayor

Leader of the PNC/R, Aubrey Norton

In his letter which was shared on his social media account on Monday, the Pandit said “As a political party and as one of the Opposition, it has become unresponsive, disconnected, and painfully out of touch with the people it claims to represent.”

He held too that a large part of this decline rests at the feet of Aubrey Norton. “The fire, discipline, and sense of purpose that once defined the party are fading, and many supporters can feel it every day on the ground.”

According to Narine, Norton’s leadership has not strengthened the party; it has weakened it. “Instead of rebuilding trust, energising supporters, and holding the government properly accountable, the PNCR has drifted into confusion and internal stagnation. As one of the Opposition parties that should be setting the agenda and giving people hope, right now, that is simply not happening,” he said.

The former Mayor underscore that what makes this even more painful is that the party was built on the solid foundation laid by Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. “Whatever one’s political view, no one can deny that Burnham created a movement rooted in organisation, discipline, and strong leadership. That legacy is now being slowly chipped away, and many party members are pretending not to see it.”

According to the former party member too many in the PNCR are living in delusion.

“They are confusing loyalty with silence and unity with blindness. A party cannot grow if its members refuse to speak honestly about failure. Closing your eyes will not save the PNC/R; it will only speed up its decline,” he said.

To this end, Pandit Narine declared that “Aubrey Norton must resign and go his way.”

Former Mayor, Pandit Ubraj Narine

He continued “This is a wake-up call. Members of the PNCR must stop fooling themselves and start asking hard questions. If the party is to survive and mean anything again, it must confront reality now. The longer it waits, the harder the fall will be.”

“That is not an act of betrayal—it is an act of responsibility. The party needs space to breathe, to regroup, and to rebuild with new energy and clearer direction. Without that change at the top, the PNCR will continue to lose ground, election after election.”

“If Aubrey Norton remains leader, the PNCR will lose the City of Georgetown at the next Local Government Elections. Mark my words. The signs are already there—weak mobilisation, poor messaging, and a growing disconnect from voters who are tired of excuses and internal drama,” the former member added.

Since the 2025 General and Regional evidence of dwindling support from the party’s camp has heightened with several notable faces leaving the PNCR-led A Partnership of National Unity (APNU) party. Many called Norton’s leadership into question and noted the fact that party has lost grip on a significant portion of its support base which was later evidenced by the party losing its place as the main political opposition to Azruddin Mohamed’s led –We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party – a newcomer to the political scene.

Within the past year, Norton’s popularity further declined within the party which is evidenced by a significant number of resignations from its members.

Narine was officially resigned for the APNU in November 2025.

On Tuesday a group of former APNU Members of Parliament and current Regional Councillors officially aligned themselves with the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). The group included former MPs Ricky Ramsaroop, Shurwayne Holder, and Dinesh Jaiprashad, as well as current Regional Councillors Ravoldo Birbal, Sheik Yaseen, Prince Holder, and Gangadai Lloyd.

The move was solidified during a meeting, between the defectors and PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo. According to a press statement released by the PPP, the meeting was held at the request of the former opposition members.

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Aubrey Norton, PNCR, political control, Ubraj Narine

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