The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) is urging its “sister parties” – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and the Alliance For Change (AFC) – to make haste, and sign off on an agreement that would see them contesting the upcoming General and Regional Elections as a coalition.

The WPA is warning that the two parties stand a better chance at defeating the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) as a collective.

The APNU and the AFC were hoping to arrive at an agreement by the end of March. However, a meeting between the two sides on Monday ended with no agreement in place, although the leaders of the two parties have indicated that the coalition door remains open.

Weighing in on the issue, Co-Leader of the WPA, Dr David Hinds told reporters on Monday that time is of the essence. The WPA has long indicated that it will contest the upcoming Elections together with the APNU.

“As the PPP’s vulnerability begins to manifest itself, the WPA reiterates its belief that a grand coalition of opposition parties stands the best chance of unseating the ruling cabal in a free and fair election,” Dr Hinds said.

He said a coalition of the willing, guided by a united purpose and intent would no doubt energize the Opposition’s base. Dr. Hinds emphasized the importance of the two sides reaching a consensus.

“It is against this background that WPA urges our sister parties to quickly iron out their apparent differences. While negotiations over critical issues are normal in coalition building, WPA calls for consensus rather than confrontation. History will not be kind to us if we allow short term differences to blind us to long term implications,” the WPA co-leader warned.

In its negotiations with the APNU, the AFC is demanding that its Leader, Nigel Hughes be the Presidential Candidate and for a 60-40 division of all positions in Government, with the APNU receiving 60% and the AFC receiving the remaining 40%. But the APNU led by Aubrey Norton, who is also Leader of the PNCR, is not inclined to that ratio, and is reportedly in favor of a 70-30 ratio for the distribution of positions.

Dr Hinds, who is also a political scientist, said he optimistic that the parties will arrive at a consensus, but he acknowledged that several factors can influence the demands by both sides, including political strength and support on the ground, influence, financial resources and expertise that parties have within their ranks.

“As far as the APNU side is concerned, it must be taken into consideration that the APNU side includes the PNC, other parties within the APNU, and for now the WPA that is outside of the APNU, and so, therefore, you are taking about one party being given 40% of the spoils while several other parties are being given 60%. I think that is a consideration that the parties at the table must take into consideration when arriving at the formula,” Dr Hinds.

On the issue of Presidential Candidate, Dr Hinds said the WPA is prepared to support either Norton or Hughes for the position, but he said the Representative of the List should not come from none of the parties forming part of the coalition.

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