The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) today launched its manifesto ahead of the 2025 General and Regional Elections.
The launch took place at the Pegasus Corporate Business Centre in Georgetown and was addressed by the party’s presidential candidate Aubrey Norton.
The party’s prime ministerial candidate Juretha Fernandes was absent and according to party officials, she was preoccupied campaigning.
Norton along with a few other speakers provided glimpses into the party’s plans for the country but at the end of the event, there was no formal question and answer segment for members of the press.
However, Norton made himself available for a short interview afterwards.
Meanwhile, during his time at the podium Norton said the APNU has a plan to end poverty and reduce crime.
To end poverty, Norton said the APNU will invest heavily in education and training.
“Our investment in education will be extensive, not only will it foster a culture of innovation in teaching and learning, it will also reduce class sizes by having more trained teachers available,” he said.
Currently, the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration is making significant investments in education and training.
Meanwhile, Norton said an APNU government will also invest in ‘skilling, reskilling and upskilling’ of the workforce.
In the side interview, Norton said he will introduce a system to narrow the gap between rich and poor, to ensure those earning less ‘will get more’ while those currently earning ‘more will get less’. He proposes making the minimum wage $200,000 per month.
“Those at the bottom will get more, and those at the top will get less,” Norton said, noting that the intention is to narrow the gap between rich and poor.
To address cost of living, Norton said old age pension will be increased to $100,000 per month and the APNU will share out child care allowance of $120,000 a year for children under school age as well as school-aged children. Additionally, he said the APNU would increase the income tax threshold to $400,000.
He also promised to distribute $50,000 per month to each post-secondary school student and pay $50,000 per month to the government’s part-time workers.
He said APNU will also put a $10,000 electricity subsidy and $5000 water subsidy for households.
The APNU has been criticised for adopting a policy based solely on “spending” and not wealth creation.
Meanwhile, to guard against inflation in light of these proposed wage increases and cash distributions, Norton said an APNU government would ensure there is more productivity in the agriculture sector – a sector the former APNU+AFC failed to invigorate during its tenure in office in 2015-2020.
On crime, Norton said “safety and security are therefore things that we will pay attention to because current trends are unacceptable.”
To do this, he said the APNU government would “overhaul” the Guyana Police Force (GPF) “overhauled to be more responsive to the crime situation in the country”.
“We will emphasise preventive policing to reduce crime,” the presidential hopeful said.
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