NEW YORK, USA — The New York chapter of Generation 2000 (G2K), the young professional arm of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), has thrown its support behind Education Minister Andrew Holness for party leader and prime minister.

“G2K New York (G2K NY) is eager to work with Minister Holness,” Claudia Pyke, who heads the chapter, said in a statement.

The group is the latest affiliate of the JLP to publicly endorse Holness, following the move by parent body in Jamaica last week. Also, several members of Parliament, including the other main leadership aspirants in Dr Christopher Tufton, minister of industry, investment and commerce; Dr Kenneth Baugh, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade; Audley Shaw, minister of finance; and Robert Montague, ministry of agriculture and fisheries, have already publicly endorsed Holness.

Pyke praised the leadership transition, saying that the leaders of the party “have shown a great deal of maturity and selflessness in their support of minister Holness”.

She said the pending elevation of Holness signals the first step towards giving the next generation of leaders “a chance to lead our nation towards the necessary transformation of our political way of life”.

She said that while there is much respect for the contributions of veteran politicians, G2K NY believes that given the current context and the need for renewal, the elevation of Minister Holness will bring a fresh approach to taking on Jamaica’s 21st century challenges.

G2K New York also praised outgoing Prime Minister Bruce Golding for his contributions to Jamaica’s developments and said it agrees with him that it is time for his generation to make way for younger people.