The first of three political debates between the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) got underway last night in the studios of the Creative Production and Training Centre in Kingston.

The 90-minute debate, which was scheduled to begin at 9:00 pm, focused on socio-economic issues from the perspective of the youth in both political parties and was contested by teams from both parties.

Dr Saphire Longmore, Warren Newby and Marlene Malahoo-Forte, who formed the JLP team; and Dr Dayton Campbell, Lisa Hanna and Raymond Pryce who made up the PNP team, arrived well in advance of the start time.

A live studio audience, consisting of about 90 persons, included representatives of the two major political parties, several youth groups, the private sector, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, and US Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater.

Twenty minutes before the start, Jamaica Debates Commission chairman Gary Allen introduced the commissioners, expressed gratitude to sponsors and extended a warm welcome to the audience.

Moderator was Archibald Gordon of TVJ and the panel of journalists who fired questions at the teams consisted of CVM-TV’s Garfield Burford, the Observer’s Ingrid Brown and TVJ’s Nadine McLeod.

The other two debates will be held on Thursday, December 15, and Tuesday, December 20.