Opposition and PNC Reform Leader Aubrey Norton today said his party will focus heavily on youths ahead of the General and Regional Elections. He admitted that his party’s own internal polling has shown that much work needs to be done among youths, especially those under the age of 25.

At a press conference today, Mr. Norton was asked if he is confident his party’s message would resonate with the youths, given that the youth vote could decide the outcome of the elections.

“Our latest poll results suggest to us that we need to do more. It suggests that we are strong with the 35 and above, we are relatively strong in the 25-35, but it is the 25 and under we have to focus on in the coming weeks,” Mr. Norton said.

Mr. Norton also said the question of vote splitting among small parties can also pose some issue. He noted that his party will continue to work hard in hopes of securing a coalition.

However, he said if his party fails to secure a coalition with the AFC, there are some elements that have to be put in place to deal with the fact that there isn’t a coalition and the approach to the elections will be different.

“Ideally, we prefer coalition, we believe it will make our job easier, but since we have been negotiating in good faith and we have been making sound proposals, at some point I will reveal the negations to the public so that the public can understand we come a far way. The AFC started by demanding 55% and we 45%, we have been negotiating and narrowing the gap. We will do everything to get a coalition but at the same time we are preparing for if we do not,” Mr. Norton stated.

He said while recent events within the party may have some psychological impact on party members and supporters, the party has activated internal mechanisms to reassure its base.

“There is no doubt that things that happen would have psychosocial impact, the question becomes whether we as a political party have the capacity to deal with whatever psychological effect and we have been dealing with that internally. At this stage, we have been dealing with the task ahead, staying focus, doing our ground work and reassuring our supporters, that we will beat the People’s Progressive Party in the upcoming elections,” Mr. Norton noted.

On the question of a Prime Ministerial Candidate for his party, Mr. Norton said the criteria has already been set for the selection of the candidate. While he would not say if the person will come from within his party, he said diversity will play a key role in selecting such a candidate.

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