…incumbent Williams challenges Harmon and Lawrence to debate
As the time draws closer for the People’s National Congress (PNC) special meeting to decide on a new executive, the party’s incumbent Chairman, Basil Williams, has challenge his two contenders – Volda Lawrence and Joseph Harmon to a debate.
Both Lawrence and Harmon have announced plans to compete for the position of
Basil Williams
chairmanship of the party, the second highest post within the PNC.
Williams told media operatives on the sidelines of a seminar on Wednesday that, “Who wants to challenge me must show their track record of achievements for the PNC.” He said party members should be given an opportunity to hear a debate by the contestants.
Williams, the current Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, bragged about his track record stating that he is respected by his comrades and his work done for and on behalf of the PNC is also known. “I have always been having victories. I’m know, you know; people know me. I am known,” he stated.
Apart from that, the AG pointed to cases where he has done a lot of bonafide work for individuals and the party. “I don’t know why you all keep forgetting my record but, as they say, the PNC people and the PNC members are very sensible people,” he said, referring to his work with the Rodney Commission of Inquiry.
Importantly also, Williams noted that the current executive team was mainly responsible for the election victory in 2015 which led the PNC, the major party in the coalition Government into office. As such, he feels there is no need for a change in the rank and file of the party as it stands.
“If we were good enough after 23 years to take us into Government, why after
Volda Lawrence
three years, when we are ready to look at the last two years to look at reelection, why would you want to change the team. You don’t change a winning team,” he told members of the media.
Williams had previously said, “I am servant of the PNC and a servant of my party. They know me. I have been working steadily throughout the years, and me and my comrades… so we don’t think that’s an issue.”
Nevertheless, the current Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister posited that he was confident of winning the position once again, although there have been reports that his performance since the coalition Government took office has been weak. “Our members are very intelligent people and the type of leadership that they require, they know,” he said.
In May, Harmon announced his candidature for the position of chair of the party, for which elections will be held at Congress in August 2018. In making that announcement, he said every member of the party can aspire to the highest office in our party and like many others.
“I am a member of the party of long standing, and therefore have indicated that it is my desire and my interest in putting myself up as a candidate for the chairmanship of the party,” Harmon stated.
And less than one week ago, it was revealed that longstanding party stalwart Lawrence too will be contesting for the PNC chairmanship post at the upcoming
Joseph Harmon
congress in August.
This was announced by party activist and Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, on his Facebook page: “…Minister of Public Health Volda Ann Lawrence, has officially announced she is contesting the post of Chairman of the PNCR,” Jones posted on his social media handle.
At the last PNCR Congress, Williams contested the position of Chairman unopposed. Initial reports had indicated that Williams would have been challenged by former party leader Robert Corbin, Minister Volda Lawrence and Lurlene Nestor. However, they all signalled their non-interest.
Williams was first appointed PNCR Chairman in 2012 when he first contested the post along with Dr George Norton. That year, he replaced longstanding party member Cammie Ramsaroop as chair.
At the last Congress held in 2016, Dr Norton and Lawrence were also re-elected Vice Chairpersons.
