Generation 2000 (G2K), the grouping of young professionals aligned to the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), yesterday elected former vice president and general-secretary Warren Newby as its new president.

Newby, a businessman who is currently studying law at the University of the West Indies (UWI), succeeds Senator Christopher Tufton, who leaves the post in order to concentrate on contesting the next general elections in South West St Elizabeth for the JLP.

Newby defeated attorney-at-law Kent Gammon, a former vice president and one of the founders of G2K, by 27 votes to 10. The G2K elections are based on an electoral college system in which the voting delegates represent a number of other members.

Four vice presidents were also elected. They are: Gregory Mair, who is also the JLP’s candidate for North East St Catherine; Rocky Allen, Dionne McKoy and Robert Miller. Daryl Baugh and Theophilius Jackson both failed in their bids to gain vice-presidency polling 10 and eight votes respectively.

Stephen Golding, son of JLP leader Bruce Golding, who had been expected to enter the race for one of the vice presidencies, was not nominated.

G2K started out as an independent company linked to the JLP before becoming an affiliate of the party in 2004. However, the organisation has provided an effective support service for the party in terms of technological and professional support. By becoming an affiliate of the JLP, G2K is assured of three seats on the party’s Central Executive, the party’s highest authority outside of its annual conference.

G2K was founded in 1999 by former JLP senator David Panton. He was succeeded as president by Dr Ronald Robinson, a current deputy general-secretary of the party, who later gave way to Dr Tufton.

Tufton noted that the organisation has been effective in terms of the development of policy and dissecting topical policy issues within the party, as well as working closely with the leadership in developing media relations.

The organisation has not only expanded islandwide since 1999, but has created chapters abroad, including in New York.

Gammon, who is among the most active members of G2K, was suffering his second defeat in a year. Last December, he lost the position of JLP deputy treasurer to Daryl Vaz.

However, while admitting disappointment with yesterday’s loss, Gammon said that he was prepared to continue working in the interest of G2K and the JLP.