Dear Editor,

I would like to know what has happened to the Young Jamaica Movement, the once vibrant youth arm of the JLP. I ask this question as it is no secret that the JLP is losing the PR battle, especially among the youth.

G2K emerged years ago as a collection of young JLP professionals, but they cannot replace Young Jamaica. In fact, G2K has lost its way over the past few years as it tried unsuccessfully to replace Young Jamaica as the party’s youth arm — the mandates of both groups are completely different though compatible.

Young Jamaica represents the grass roots, while G2K is more of a think-tank and veranda politics group.

Young Jamaica was once a national institution with at least 10 high-ranking officials of the present administration numbered among its past members Prime Minister Bruce Golding, Dr Horace Chang, JC Hutchinson, Andrew Holness, Edmund Bartlett, Olivia Grange, Pearnel Charles, Desmond McKenzie, Senators Arthur Williams, Dwight Nelson and Andre Franklin were all members of the Young Jamaica Movement.

I implore the JLP to reignite the flames of Young Jamaica for our democracy’s sake. The PNPYO serves its party very well and is often at the forefront of the PNP’s political efforts.

Get your act together JLP, you are losing the battle for young minds.

Arnold Benedict

zherubabbel@gmail.com