Newby

WARREN NEWBY, the outgoing president of Generation 2000 (G2K) - the youth affiliate of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) - has given the clearest indication that he is heading into representational politics.

"Certainly, I hope to run as a member of parliament in this election," Newby, a government senator told The Gleaner.

The St Ann native said he has been looking at various possibilities, but declined to say where his real interest rests.

"I am available. I am just wanting to work to ensure that the party returns to power for a second term. I want to avail myself for service in the party in terms of organisation - its secretariat," Newby said.

Currently a parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Newby is the fourth president of the 10-year-old G2K. Doctors David Panton, Ronald Robinson and Christopher Tufton have served before him. The three-term president is now convinced that the time has come for him to move into another political league.

Political development

"If I were to stay I am going to stagnate, it would not do my political development any good to be at the same level for any prolonged period of time. In any organisation, you have to show growth and you have to create space for other people to grow. I want to afford other people the same opportunity that I have been afforded," said Newby.

Meanwhile, the die is cast as to who will be replacing Newby as G2K president. Delano Seivewright, its current public relations officer, is the sole nominee for the job.

"The greatest comfort that I get today is from looking at those who are going to be in charge of G2K and I feel proud that they are not only capable hands but they are going to be moving G2K beyond what it is today, into some new possibilities that were not even considered by its founders," the outgoing president said.

"I am comfortable because I know that the people who are following are not going to be content in just walking in the footsteps of the people who have gone before. They intend to be trailblazers themselves."

Generation 2000 has been credited with helping the JLP wrestle state power from the People's National Party in the 2007 general election. The movement employed the use of new media technology and even wrote training manuals for JLP workers to campaign in marginal constituencies in the election campaign.

Although Newby said it was all teamwork that contributed to the success of the organisation, Colin Virgo, the organisation's general secretary, has said leadership has been a defining factor.

"He has spent a lot of time building up a solid foundation and has left the G2K on a solid footing," Virgo said.

Virgo described the G2K as "a towering bamboo" which he says stands high above all movements of its kind in the Caribbean.

"We have a fabulous organisation and and an impressive group of people that have skilfully impressed on young people across the country that the Jamaica Labour Party is the party of choice," Virgo said.

But despite Virgo's view of the organisation, Newby has conceded that G2K could have a challenge on its hands to reposition the movement, which it said is being strongly challenged by the Damion Crawford-led People's National Party Youth Organisation.

"We have lost some of the vigour that we had before the election and I take full responsibility for that. With me leaving, it affords the organisation the opportunity to rebrand itself and reclaim its position," Newby said.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com