WESTERN BUREAU — The Jamaica Labour Party’s youth arm, Generation 2000 (G2K), on Thursday launched its St James chapter and has vowed to increase its membership to 20,000 by November.

The group now has 4,000 members.

“Last November we gave the country certain commitments; commitments with regards to expanding the base of G2K, increasing the membership and bringing the goals, the dreams and aspirations of the principles that we believe in to the people of Jamaica,” president Dr Ronald Robinson said at a press conference in Montego Bay.

“Having done a lot of groundwork, we have now decided to launch this chapter,” he said, adding that interviews were conducted over the last three weeks to identify prospective members.

“We have interviewed and looked at a number of individuals who we think we would like to represent, and who could carry the message for G2K in the western region — particularly Montego Bay,” Robinson said.

The executive members of the Montego Bay chapter include:

* Dale Delapenha, chairman;

* Michelle Reid, vice-chairman and

* Dwayne Gayle as treasurer.

G2K, according to Robinson, intends to launch many more chapters islandwide, as it tries to increase its membership.

“We have done preliminary work in Trelawny, Hanover, Manchester and St Elizabeth and after this launch, we will be moving in the other areas where we have done preliminary work,” Robinson said.

He said the group was confident that it would achieve its membership base of 20,000 by November, as a number of persons have shown an interest in joining the organisation.

Meanwhile, vice-president Ian Hayles said the group plans to play an active role in campaign activities leading up to the local government polls.

The group played a major role in the JLP’s campaign in the run-up to last October’s general elections. They managed the party’s polling unit, mobilised financial support from the private sector and galvanised the youth vote for the JLP.

G2K also played a significant role during the 2001 by-election in the constituency of North-East St Ann, which was won by the Opposition.

Hayles said the group’s role in the upcoming local government election would be similar to the work it did during last year’s general election.

“We will definitely be contributing in PR (public relations) and in the areas where (candidates) will need on-the-ground work, such as helping to canvass and manning polling stations,” the vice-president explained.