Dear Editor,
Almost two years ago the Peoples’ National Congress Reform and its youth arm held their congresses. Mr Vincent Alexander and some of his other colleagues on the CEC along with the National Chairman of the youth arm and some other executives challenged Mr Corbin’s leadership. There was much controversy over the unusual increase in the membership to 23,000, with 6000 of those being members of the youth arm. Team Alexander called for verification of the membership, but it was not granted and because of that, Team Alexander pulled out of the race.
After those congresses, it became clear that the 23,000 members claimed by Mr Corbin were only members on paper. Instead of the level of activities of the PNCR and its youth arm increasing it took a nosedive. It was as if the party was dead. A member of the youth arm even admitted to me that names were taken from the GT&T directory and placed on membership forms.
During the campaign against Vincent Alexander Mr Corbin went across the country and promised the young people all sorts of things. He spoke of his ‘Yes’ programme; he promised sports gear and scholarships, etc. After the congress, they did not hear from Mr Corbin again. It was as if all Mr Corbin wanted was to be leader. Once he got that, nothing else was important. Not fulfilling his promises; not serving his constituency.
Another congress is approaching and Dr Van West Charles has indicated his interest in challenging Mr Corbin’s leadership. Mr Corbin is now running all across the country having bottom house meetings with members and supporters claiming he is organizing the party. Why did Mr Corbin not do this over the last year and a half? Why is it that he is only interested in organizing the party when his position is threatened?
I understand that Mr Corbin has organized a retreat with 40 young people at Camp Madewini to resuscitate the GYSM. Resuscitate the GYSM? This was the organization that the general secretary claimed had 6,000 members a few months ago. What is important is what potential participants were told. Potential participants were told that the GYSM is being resuscitated because Dr Richard Van West Charles is challenging Mr Corbin for the leadership.
This is a scandal. I know that for three years Mr Corbin undermined the last executive of the youth arm. When he was doing that, he was undermining young people who support the PNCR. After the congress, Mr Corbin took over the GYSM. What did he do? Nothing for 18 months. Now that he is being challenged again he wants to resuscitate the GYSM.
When I look at all of this, I am convinced that Mr Corbin has no interest in young people. He has used us and still wants to use us.
Yours faithfully,
Shellon Benjamin
