wing Leaders of Tomorrow to continue to work towards involving younger people in the political process despite criticism of its endorsement of him.

The group endorsed Mr. Dill in the UBP primary on Monday and were blasted by rival candidates Mr. Elroy Ratteray and Environment Minister the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto for causing factionalism in the party.

The pair, the adopted candidates for the constituency, also questioned the group's ability to choose an electable candidate in the constituency.

But Mr. Dill, who thanked the group of aspiring politicians for their endorsement, said in a letter to deputy chairman Mr. Anthony Gorham that the group would be instrumental in getting the UBP elected in the next election.

"As you know, I am a firm advocate of young people of all political persuasions becoming involved in the political process,'' he said. "It is no longer a luxury. In my view it is a political necessity.'' He predicted the negative reaction to the endorsement would be outweighed by the number of people who saw it in a positive light.

"There is no question that you represent a significant segment of the community seeking to influence and participate in the democratic process,'' he said.

"May I also say that I do not see how LOT's action in endorsing me could be seen as divisive,'' he said. "We are, after all, all members of the same party. All you were doing is exercising your democratic right to voice your opinion and in my view, the political process is all the richer for it.''